StoryBots

Last updated
StoryBots
StoryBots.svg
Created by
  • Evan Spiridellis
  • Gregg Spiridellis
Owners
Years2012–present
Films and television
Animated series Ask the StoryBots , StoryBots Super Songs , Storybots: Answer Time , Storybots: Super Silly Stories with Bo
Television special(s) A StoryBots Christmas
Television short(s)StoryBots
Official website
www.storybots.com

StoryBots is an American children's media franchise that produces educational TV series, books, videos, music, video games, and classroom activities. [1] Its productions include the Netflix series Ask the StoryBots , StoryBots: Answer Time, StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo, and StoryBots Super Songs . [2]

Contents

After launching online and gaining more than 620 million views on YouTube, [3] StoryBots launched its first television series on the streaming service Netflix in 2016. Over three seasons, Ask the StoryBots has won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and an Annie Award, along with recognition from the Peabody Awards and British Academy Children's Awards. It also spawned a companion show, StoryBots Super Songs , and a holiday special, A StoryBots Christmas . [4]

Created by the entertainment studio JibJab, the brand later became part of StoryBots, Inc., an independent production company. StoryBots, Inc., (along with the StoryBots brand) was acquired by Netflix in May 2019 as part of an overall push by the streaming service into more educational and family-oriented content. [5] [6]

History

StoryBots launched to the public in the summer of 2012 and has been featured on CNN, [7] The New York Times , [8] CNBC, [9] and other news outlets. [10] [11] [12] [13] Gregg Spiridellis, co-founder and CEO of StoryBots, told CNBC in 2013 that he and his brother had five young children between them and noticed "a massive shift in how kids are consuming media". [9] Spiridellis stated that this shift became the inspiration for StoryBots, with digital content akin to Sesame Street created for a device-centric, connected generation of children. [14]

In May 2019, Netflix announced that it had acquired the StoryBots media franchise and signed co-creators Evan and Gregg Spiridellis to an exclusive producing deal. The acquisition was the first of its kind for Netflix and was part of a stated commitment to expand its educational content. [5]

Television programming

The StoryBots franchise's original TV series Ask the StoryBots premiered on Netflix on August 12, 2016. The show follows the StoryBots characters Beep, Bing, Bang, Boop, and Bo (a.k.a. "Answer Team 341B"), and stars Judy Greer. Answer Team 341B goes on adventures into the human world to help answer kids' biggest questions. The first season featured guest appearances from Jay Leno, Whoopi Goldberg, " Weird Al" Yankovic, Kevin Smith, Garfunkel and Oates, Tim Meadows, and Chris Parnell. Ask the StoryBots received critical acclaim for its educational quality and entertainment value for both parents and children. [15] [16] A second season premiered on Netflix on August 24, 2018, and featured guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Edward Norton, Christina Applegate, Wanda Sykes, David Cross, Ali Wong, Kristen Schaal, and David Koechner.

A third season was released worldwide on Netflix on August 2, 2019, and includes guest appearances from John Legend, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Garner, Jason Sudeikis, Alyssa Milano, Tony Hale, Maria Bamford, and Reggie Watts. [5] A trailer for the new episodes was released on YouTube ahead of the season launch. [17] All three season's music soundtracks are available on most music streaming services.

Spinoffs

A companion series, StoryBots Super Songs , premiered on October 7, 2016, also on Netflix. While each episode of Ask the StoryBots featured the lead characters answering a child's single question, StoryBots Super Songs focused on broader topics, such as outer space, colors, shapes, and dinosaurs, through music and live-action vignettes with real children. [18] Episodes were also released on StoryBots' YouTube channel. [19]

Ask the StoryBots also spun off a holiday special, A StoryBots Christmas , which premiered December 1, 2017, on Netflix. Featuring a guest appearance by Ed Asner as Santa Claus, the special received two Daytime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Special Class Animated Program, as well as four additional nominations.

A new series called StoryBots: Answer Time premiered on Netflix on November 21, 2022, and includes guest appearances from Danny DeVito, Zooey Deschanel, Common, Sophie Turner, Kevin Smith, Anne Hathaway, Chrissy Teigen, Patton Oswalt, Gabriel Iglesias, and Craig Robinson. A second season of this show premiered on Netflix on July 10, 2023, and includes guest appearances from Rainn Wilson, Josh Gad, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Scarlett Johansson, Gabrielle Union, Joe Lo Truglio, Steve Buscemi, Kristen Bell, Simu Liu, Julie Bowen, Trevor Noah, and Jessica Alba.

Another spin-off series called StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo [20] premiered on Netflix's YouTube channel on June 26, 2022. [21] The series consisted of four seasons, with a total of 26 short form episodes (approximately four to six minutes in length), and four long-form episodes (approximately 22 to 44 minutes in length). [22] Directed, co-written, and edited by Henry Dalton, this series differed from Ask The StoryBots and StoryBots: Answer Time in being comedy-led rather than centering around a child's question to be answered. Super Silly Stories instead focused on a single StoryBot, Bo, and featured much more interaction from the unscripted live-action children. [23] The series was nominated for two Kidscreen Awards, winning "Best Web/App Series - Branded (6-10 Years)." [24] The series has not become available on the streaming platform Netflix. [25]

Digital library

StoryBots created a collection of online learning content and activities that were available at StoryBots' official website before its acquisition by Netflix in 2019. [26] However, the digital library is still available on YouTube. The StoryBots website was nominated for best youth website at the 2018 Webby Awards.

The digital library includes:

StoryBots Classroom

In 2016, StoryBots launched StoryBots Classroom, a free online resource for educators that includes unlimited access to the entire StoryBots library of digital books, videos, activities, the then-newly created Common Core State Standards Initiative-aligned Math Games, and classroom management tools including the Backpack and Class Roster. [27] The product was designed for use on laptops, tablets, and interactive white boards. [28] When it was released, StoryBots Classroom was by profiled by Education Week [29] and was named an "S'Cool Tool of the Week" by EdSurge. [30] It has since received the Teachers' Choice Award and the Tech Edvocate Award for best early childhood education app or tool.

In an interview, CEO Gregg Spiridellis cited significant interest in StoryBots by teachers as the impetus to "invest more in building a product custom-tailored for classroom use, with an emphasis on interactive projection boards, classroom tools, and more educational content." [31]

After Netflix’s acquisition of the brand, StoryBots Classroom was made unavailable. [26]

YouTube channel

StoryBots first uploaded five videos to YouTube in June 2012. StoryBots was also nominated for a 2019 Webby Award in the "Video Series & Channels – Animation" category. [32]

In 2018, StoryBots signed with the DHX Media-owned WildBrain to manage its YouTube channel. [33]

In January 2019, the channel rebranded itself as Netflix Jr. to coincide with the buyout of StoryBots by Netflix. [26]

In addition to ebooks available on its website, StoryBots also has several print books featuring its characters that are published by Random House Children's Books. [34] Titles include:

Awards

Since its founding in 2012, StoryBots has won numerous awards for its digital content, including the Teachers' Choice Award from Learning Magazine, Parent's Choice Award, Family Choice Award, Tech Advocate Award, and an Editor's Choice Award from Children's Technology Review. [41]

For its television work, including Ask the StoryBots , A StoryBots Christmas , StoryBots: Answer Time , StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo, and StoryBots Super Songs, StoryBots has won nine Daytime Emmy Awards, an Annie Award, and a Kidscreen Award. It has received recognition from the British Academy Children's Awards and Peabody Awards.

YearAwardCategoryRecipient(s)Result
2024 Kidscreen Awards Best Web/App Series - Branded (6-10 Years) StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo Won
Best Mixed-Media Series (6-10 Years) StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo Nominated
Annie Awards Best Animated Television/Media Production for Preschool Children StoryBots: Answer Time Nominated
2023 Children's & Family Emmy Awards Outstanding Preschool Animated Series StoryBots: Answer Time Won
Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Program StoryBots: Answer Time Won
Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Program StoryBots: Answer Time Erin Fitzgerald Nominated
Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Program StoryBots: Answer Time Fred Tatasciore Nominated
Outstanding Editing for a Preschool Animated Program StoryBots: Answer Time Nominated
Annie Awards Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Television/Media Production StoryBots: Answer Time Henrique Baron Nominated
Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Television/Media Production StoryBots: Answer Time Fred Tatasciore Nominated
2019 Webby Award Video Series & Channels – AnimationStoryBots on YouTube Nominated
Websites – EducationStoryBots.comNominated
Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated SeriesAsk the StoryBotsNominated
Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated ProgramAsk the StoryBotsWon
Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated ProgramAsk the StoryBotsWon
Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime ProgramStoryBots.comNominated
Outstanding Performer in a Children's, Family Viewing or Special Class Program Edward Norton in Ask the StoryBotsNominated
Annie Award Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Preschool ChildrenAsk the StoryBotsWon
Directing in an Animated Television/Broadcast ProductionAsk the StoryBotsNominated
2018 Webby Award Websites – YouthStoryBots.comNominated
Common Sense Media Common Sense SealA StoryBots ChristmasWon
Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Special Class Animated ProgramA StoryBots ChristmasWon
Outstanding Interactive Media – Enhancement to a Daytime Program or SeriesStoryBots.comNominated
Outstanding Performer in a Children's/Preschool Children's or Educational or Informational Program Ed Asner in A StoryBots ChristmasNominated
Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated ProgramA StoryBots ChristmasNominated
Outstanding Directing in a Preschool Animated ProgramA StoryBots ChristmasWon
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated ProgramA StoryBots ChristmasNominated
Teachers' Choice AwardsTeachers' Choice Awards for the Family – Supplemental MaterialsStoryBots.comWon
Kidscreen AwardsBest Learning App – BrandedStoryBots AppNominated
2017Tech Edvocate AwardsBest Early Childhood Education App or ToolStoryBots ClassroomWon
British Academy Children's Awards InternationalAsk the StoryBotsNominated
Cynopsis Kids !magination AwardsEducational Series/SpecialAsk the StoryBotsNominated
Webby Award Mobiles Sites & Apps – Family & KidsStoryBots AppNominated
Peabody Award Children's ProgrammingAsk the StoryBotsNominated
Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated ProgramAsk the StoryBotsNominated
Outstanding Interactive Media – Enhancement to a Daytime Program or SeriesStoryBots App and StoryBots ClassroomWon
Outstanding Directing in a Preschool Animated ProgramAsk the StoryBotsNominated
Outstanding Main Title and Graphic DesignAsk the StoryBotsNominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Preschool Animated ProgramAsk the StoryBotsNominated
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated ProgramAsk the StoryBotsNominated
Teachers' Choice AwardsTeachers' Choice Awards for the Classroom – Supplemental MaterialsStoryBots ClassroomWon
Annie Awards Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Preschool ChildrenAsk the StoryBotsNominated
2016 Common Sense Media Common Sense SealAsk the StoryBotsWon
Cynopsis Kids !magination AwardsMobile App (Educational)StoryBots AppWon
2015 Parents' Choice Award Parents' Choice Award Fun StuffStoryBots.comWon
2014Kapi AwardsBest App for Younger ChildrenStoryBotsWon
Parents' Choice AwardParents' Choice Award RecommendedStoryBots.comWon
Family Choice AwardsFamily Choice AwardStoryBots Starring You VideosWon
Interactive Media AwardsFamilyStoryBots.comWon
2013National Parenting CenterSeal of ApprovalStoryBots.comWon
Parents' Choice AwardParents' Choice Award RecommendedStoryBots Beep & BoopWon
Parents' Choice AwardParents' Choice Award Fun StuffStoryBots Starring You BooksWon
Parents' Choice AwardParents' Choice Award RecommendedStoryBots.comWon
Parents' Choice AwardParents' Choice Award Silver HonorStoryBots Tap & SingWon
Children's Technology ReviewEditors' ChoiceStoryBots Beep & BoopWon
Children's Technology ReviewEditors' ChoiceStoryBots Tap & SingWon
Appy AwardsBooksStoryBots Starring You BooksWon
Interactive Media AwardsKidsStoryBots.comWon
Family Choice AwardsFamily Choice AwardStoryBotsWon
2012Family Choice AwardsFamily Choice AwardStoryBotsWon

References

  1. ↑ "StoryBots". Online Tools for Teaching & Learning. University of Massachusetts Amherst. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  2. ↑ Barrett, Brian. "Parents, Rejoice! Here Are Netflix's Kid-Friendly August Additions". Wired. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "StoryBots". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  4. ↑ "Get By This Summer with a Little Help from Netflix". Netflix Media Center. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  5. 1 2 3 "'StoryBots' Creators to Expand Children's Franchise Under Netflix Overall Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  6. ↑ "Netflix buys kids show producer StoryBots". Reuters. 2019-05-09. Archived from the original on 2019-05-09. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  7. ↑ "CNN". CNN.com. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  8. ↑ "Three Noteworthy Apps for Children". New York Times. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  9. 1 2 "JibJab's Latest Venture: StoryBots". CNBC. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  10. ↑ Smith, Andrea (4 October 2012). "JibJab Brothers Create StoryBots Entertainment for Kids". Mashable. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  11. ↑ Graser, Marc (27 September 2012). "JibJab pair launch StoryBots" . Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  12. ↑ "Evan, Gregg Spiridellis Discuss JibJab, StoryBots". Bloomberg TV. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  13. ↑ "JibJab Brothers Introduce StoryBots – An Evolution in Fun and Learning for Today's Connected Kids". Yahoo! News. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "Bobblehead-Loving JibJab Brothers Grow Up, Make Vids For Kids". Fast Company. 2013-11-01. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  15. ↑ Barrett, Brian (2018-08-24). "The Very Online History of the Best Kids' Show on Netflix". Wired. ISSN   1059-1028 . Retrieved 2019-01-09.
  16. ↑ "Netflix's Best Kids Show 'Ask the StoryBots' Is Back". Decider. 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2019-01-09.
  17. ↑ Ask the StoryBots on Disney Channel | Season 3 Trailer | Premieres August 2nd Worldwide, 30 July 2019, retrieved 2019-07-30
  18. ↑ "They're Back! All-New StoryBots TV Series Premieres Today". StoryBots Blog. 2016-10-07. Archived from the original on 2016-10-19. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
  19. ↑ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2019-01-09.
  20. ↑ "StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo (TV Series 2022–2024) - IMDb". IMDb .
  21. ↑ "StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo (TV Series 2022–2024) - Episode list - IMDb". IMDb .
  22. ↑ "StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo (TV Series 2022–2024) - Episode list - IMDb". IMDb .
  23. ↑ "Ranking EVERY StoryBots Series/Special". YouTube . 30 December 2023.
  24. ↑ "Kidscreen Awards".
  25. ↑ "Ranking EVERY StoryBots Series/Special". YouTube . 30 December 2023.
  26. 1 2 3 "Netflix buys kids show producer StoryBots". Yahoo News. 2019-05-09. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  27. 1 2 "StoryBots Launches Groundbreaking Product for Kindergarten Classrooms – and It's Free for Teachers". Marketwired.com. 9 February 2016.
  28. ↑ Bolkan, Joshua (9 February 2016). "StoryBots Adds Free Videos, Activities for Whiteboards, Tablets". THE Journal.
  29. ↑ Lynch, Matthew (10 February 2016). "How Teachers Can Use Education Technology to Boost Engagement". Education Week. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  30. ↑ "S'Cool Tools of the Week: GooseChase, OneVote, StoryBots Classroom, FlipQuiz (EdSurge News)". EdSurge. 2016-02-14. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  31. ↑ victorrivero (2016-04-25). "Making Good Humans". edtechdigest.com. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  32. ↑ "Animation". The Webby Awards.
  33. ↑ "WildBrain adds StoryBots to YouTube portfolio" . Retrieved 2019-01-09.
  34. ↑ "StoryBots Books". Random House Children's Books. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  35. ↑ Emmons, Scott (2017). The Amazing Planet Earth. New York: Random House. ISBN   9781524718572. OCLC   970031545.
  36. ↑ Emmons, Scott (2017). Cars are Cool!. New York: Random House. ISBN   9781524718237. OCLC   961155983.
  37. ↑ Emmons, Scott (December 2018). The Moon's Time to Shine. New York: Random House. ISBN   9780525646112. OCLC   1065307487.
  38. ↑ Emmons, Scott (2018). ABC Jamboree (1 ed.). New York: Random House. ISBN   9781524718695. OCLC   1018454665.
  39. ↑ Emmons, Scott (2017). Trucks are Terrific!. New York: Random House. ISBN   9781524718251. OCLC   961155984.
  40. ↑ Emmons, Scott (2017). Tyrannosaurus Rex. New York: Random House. ISBN   9781524718664. OCLC   970025611.
  41. ↑ "StoryBots Tap & Sing | Children's Technology Review". childrenstech.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-23. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
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