Common Sense Networks Unveils Free Kids’ Streamer

Common Sense Networks has rolled out a public preview of Sensical, a new free streaming service offering age-appropriate, entertaining and educational videos for kids aged 2 to 10.

The ad-supported service filters for quality through a proprietary rubric and patent-pending curation process based on child development research. The algorithm-free destination, which features more than 15,000 hand-selected videos and more than 50 topic-based channels, is available via web and mobile on iOS, Android, the Roku platform, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV.

Sensical was introduced earlier this spring to Common Sense parents as part of an extensive closed beta and is set to expand to all major distribution platforms including VIZIO by summer’s end. The platform uses an interest-based learning approach serving three distinct audiences: preschoolers (ages 2-4), little kids (ages 5-7) and big kids (8-10). Within the app, the live channel feature can be accessed by selecting the TV icon for Sensical’s three age-specific live channels.

Within the app’s ParentZone, there’s a dashboard tool for managing viewing activity and caregivers can access the Learning Report to learn about the long-term benefits associated with the content their children are watching.

Sensical is COPPA-compliant, certified by the kidSAFE Seal Program and follows privacy standards.

Common Sense Networks also announced dozens of new content alliances with studio/distribution partners, including CAKE (Poppy Cat), Cyber Group Studios (Leo The Wildlife Ranger), The Jim Henson Company (The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, Jim Henson’s Animal Show with Stinky and Jake), Mattel (Kipper, Pingu, Max Steel), Raydar Media (Five Apples’ limited series, Apple Tree House), Superights (Bo Bear, Handico), WildBrain (Teletubbies, Rev & Roll), Xilam Animation (Learn and Play with Paprika, Moka’s Fabulous Adventures), ZDF Enterprises (Lexi & Lottie, School of Roars) and Zodiak Kids (Mister Maker, Tee and Mo); and digital-first creators, such as ABCMouse, Aaron’s Animals, Alphabet Rockers, batteryPOP, California Academy of Sciences, GoldieBlox, The Gotham Group’s Gotham Reads, Guggenheim Museum, Howdytoons, Kids’ Black History, MEL Science + Chemistry, N*Gen, Pinkfong, Penguin Random House’s Brightly Storytime, Studio71 (Parry Gripp, Maymo, Hyper Roblox), Tankee, Ubongo Kids, Vooks and more.

Eric Berger, CEO of Sensical’s parent company Common Sense Networks, noted: “Sensical was founded on the belief that kids deserve better. We built a service from the ground up, rooted in science, supported by experts in the field and designed to reflect how kids stream today. Our lens is unique because, unlike many existing services, our offering is specifically for kids—mirroring our thesis that age-appropriateness matters and that kids learn best when they’re exploring their passions.”

He added: “A key differentiator for Sensical is that no other platform or service is inspired by the work of Common Sense Media, an organization that’s been at the forefront of what’s best for families for nearly two decades. Given how much digital content kids are now consuming, we need to be intentional about being champions for what’s possible in this ecosystem by creating safe and healthy media options for our children. Sensical is an important next step in that direction.”