Playground TV to Shutter Operations

The Playground TV streaming service is closing down operations, citing business challenges in streaming and the kids’ advertising landscape.

“From day one, we set out to make a positive impact in the lives of children by introducing them to a world of diverse stories and experiences,” said Daniel Nordberg, founder and CEO of Playground TV. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who believed in our mission and helped make it a reality, from our dedicated team and content rights holders to our partners and investors.”

Founded in 2019, the platform was created with the mission to pique kids’ curiosity about diversity by offering a catalog of shows from different cultures and languages. Playground TV has sourced over 200 shows, comprising 20,000 episodes in nine different languages. Initially launched on iOS and Android platforms across 16 European countries, the service also rolled out its first FAST channel in 2022.

“The current climate for streaming services, especially in Europe, coupled with the complexities around securing kids-safe advertising, makes it increasingly challenging to sustain a business model that adequately compensates rights holders and provides a return for our investors,” Nordberg explained.

As a result, Playground TV will cease all its operations by the end of September 2023. During the shutdown process, the company will work closely with its content partners and investors to ensure a smooth transition.

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey. While it’s a difficult decision to make, I remain proud of what we’ve accomplished and the small but meaningful differences we’ve made in children’s lives,” Nordberg concluded.