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Ricky Strauss moves on from Disney
NEW DELHI: Ricky Strauss, The Walt Disney Studio president marketing and one of the key executives who launched Disney+, is moving on from the organisation after nine years.
Post the big restructuring at Disney last year, Strauss was assigned a new role as president of programming and content curation for Disney+ and Hulu.
"I have come to the decision that it is time for me to move on to pursue new creative endeavours. It took much thought and consideration, but with our new structure and the changes to my role, the reorganisation does not provide me with the opportunity to do the kind of work I love to do and to continue making the intended impact I have been so fortunate to have achieved at Disney," Strauss wrote in an internal memo to his team.
He will stay on till the end of the month to help with the transition.
Media reports stated that in light of his departure, Disney+ EVP marketing and operations Joe Earley, who has programming experience from his tenure at Fox, will add content curation for Disney+ to his purview and continue to report into Michael Paull, president, Disney+ and ESPN+. Hulu’s VP content partnerships Brian Henderson, who oversees Hulu content curation, will report into Hulu president Kelly Campbell.
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Netflix launches Playground app to bring games and interactive play for kids
Interactive games, fresh series and returning favourites aim to blend play and learning
MUMBAI: Netflix is doubling down on kids entertainment with a major expansion of its family-friendly slate, anchored by the launch of Netflix Playground, a new interactive app designed to blend play with storytelling.
Aimed at children aged eight and under, the app allows young viewers to engage with familiar characters from shows like Peppa Pig and Sesame Street through games and activities, all within a safe, ad-free environment. The app is already live in select markets and is set for a wider global rollout later this month.
The move signals Netflix’s push to turn passive viewing into a more immersive experience. Alongside the app, the platform has unveiled a mix of new titles and returning favourites, including fresh episodes of Trash Truck and The Creature Cases, as well as a new preschool series, Young MacDonald. Popular titles such as CoComelon Lane and Ms. Rachel are also set to expand with new seasons and episodes.
Speaking about the strategy, Netflix vice president of animation series and kids and family tv John Derderian said, “We’re building a world where kids can not only watch their favourite stories, they can step inside them and interact with their favourite characters. We’re creating a seamless destination for discovery, learning, and play.”
The expanded offering also leans heavily on convenience for parents, with offline access, curated content, and robust parental controls designed to ensure a safe and tailored viewing experience. Features such as profile locks, content filters, and activity tracking aim to give families greater control while allowing children to explore independently.
The timing is strategic. Kids and preschool content has emerged as one of Netflix’s most-watched categories in recent years, making it a key battleground in the streaming wars. By combining games, education, and entertainment, the platform is looking to deepen engagement and build long-term loyalty among younger audiences.
With interactive play now joining its content arsenal, Netflix is not just streaming stories but inviting kids to step inside them, turning screen time into something a little more hands-on.
