Nickelodeon Acquires Sparkler for Noggin

Nickelodeon is bolstering Noggin, its ad-free video subscription service for preschoolers, with the acquisition of Sparkler, the co-founder of which is set to join the company in an executive role.

An early childhood learning technology platform, Sparkler measures child development and delivers personalized content and coaching to parents to improve child outcomes. Its technology will be integrated into Noggin, which currently has a library of educational content with more than 1,500 full-length episodes, short-form videos, Spanish-language videos and music videos for preschoolers. The Sparkler integration will help parents support their children’s growth and development via playable content and experiences with personalized features that track their progress.

Noggin is currently available for iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Android, Fire tablet and Roku devices, and on Amazon’s Prime Video Channels and The Roku Channel.  Its catalog features more than 30 series, including PAW Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Peppa Pig, Bubble Guppies, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, Team Umizoomi and Yo Gabba Gabba!.

Nickelodeon has hired Sparkler co-founder Kristen Kane to be Noggin’s executive VP. In her new role, Kane will oversee the integration of Sparkler and drive Noggin’s strategy and next phase of development as an educational digital platform. She will report to Nickelodeon President Brian Robbins. Kane’s previous experience includes being the founding COO of Amplify and serving as COO of the New York City Department of Education in the Bloomberg administration.

Robbins said: “Pairing Sparkler’s capabilities with our curriculum-driven content will fully transform Noggin into a premier interactive learning destination for preschoolers and their families. Kristen brings extensive experience in the education and technology space, and she will help drive Noggin’s growth with an increased focus on delivering even greater value to our direct-to-consumer service.”