BBC Kids Expands Reach in South Africa

BBC Studios has extended its partnership with Switch Media to allow customers on the Vodacom network to access BBC Kids.

The ad-free video destination features programs for children ages 0 to 12, including Hey Duggee, JoJo and Gran Gran, Sarah and Duck, Junior Bake Off, Mi High, The Sarah Adventures, Jamie Johnson and more.

BBC Kids originally debuted in South Africa through Switch Media in September 2022. Since then, it has gained over 1.5 million subscribers.

Vodacom network customers can gain access to BBC Kids by paying for the service through an add-to bill (for postpaid customers) or through airtime (for prepaid customers). Customers can choose between the daily subscription option at R5 or the weekly subscription at R15. Alternatively, they can opt for the R25 subscription, giving them access for the whole month.

Vodacom customers can access BBC Kids content through the Streamy platform, which is now also available on VodaPlay. BBC Kids can also be downloaded via the Apple App store or the Google Play store.

“I’m thrilled to witness the rapid growth of BBC Kids in South Africa, allowing us to extend our award-winning kids’ content to an even wider audience,” said Pierre Cloete, commercial director for Africa at BBC Studios. “We take immense pride in our kids’ proposition, which is not only celebrated by the industry and parents but also cherished by the children themselves. It’s not just about the accolades; it’s about the trust parents place in us as a safe and enjoyable space for their children’s fun and development time.”

Mark Johns, CEO of Switch Media, added, “Switch Media are delighted to add Vodacom to the BBC Kids family, bringing safe, ad-free education and entertainment to even more families across South Africa. Built using our award-winning MediaHQ solution, the BBC Kids app features nearly 300 hours of content, a clean, easy to navigate interface and program recommendations.”