What to Expect in the Kids’ Business in 2026

The kids’ business has survived till ’25, and stayed in the mix till ’26, all against a backdrop of frequent change.

Here are some trends for 2026 that we at TV Kids have been hearing from industry leaders.

Most of the change has come from young viewers. It’s no secret that they are watching their favorite shows and playing games on multiple screens and devices. A recent development has been a rise in co-viewing with parents and siblings, much of it triggered by nostalgia. Parents of young kids are Millennials or Gen Zers, and they remember their favorite series. Many are either still available on VOD or FAST, or they are being reimagined and rebooted.

This nostalgia is fueling much of the popularity of shows based on known IP—shows that are also welcomed by risk-averse commissioners and buyers.

Many families are also looking for content that makes kids feel less “other.”
From shyness and insecurity to concerns about appearance to LGBTQ and neurodivergence representation, shows that help reassure children about being different are in demand.

Other themes that many parents welcome are girl empowerment, climate change and STEAM—science, tech, engineering, arts and math—provided in an entertaining way.

And, of course, parents want safe, age-appropriate content and sites for their little ones.

Because children are watching and playing on so many platforms, producers and distributors are easing demands for exclusivity; they have started sharing rights for certain shows.

While the headwinds remain in the kids’ business, there is no doubt that young viewers and their families want safe, entertaining content—and they deserve it.