iWorld
SPI International and DocuBay announces content distribution partnership
MUMBAI: SPI International has announced a license agreement with DocuBay, the international membership VOD streaming service dedicated to premium documentary feature films. The license deal includes seven of SPI International’s visually groundbreaking and insightful premium titles such as Turandot, Small Cams – Big Beasts, Time Hopper, Eye to Eye with Everest: Death on a Mountain, Invisible Wildlife Photographer, Riders in the Land of the Setting Sun, and Rwanda 17. All films are now available to stream in 180+ countries on the DocuBay app and website.
“SPI International brings together international documentaries of the highest quality with world-class partners. We deliver the award-winning, premium documentaries that our global audience expects from us, every day,” said SPI International content sales head Hubert Ornass-Kubacki. “It is very exciting to share that our first distribution agreement with DocuBay includes seven of our best documentaries and that both parties are eager to keep growing this partnership for many years to come” continued Ornass-Kubacki.
“SPI International’s tremendous catalogue of exceptional content is right in line with DocuBay’s mission of providing viewers with the best in independent feature documentary films,” said DocuBay COO Akul Tripathi. “With DocuBay now available to a global audience, we look forward to growing our community of documentary film fans through strategic partnerships with premium content distributors such as SPI International” continued Tripathi.
iWorld
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.
