StoryBotsis an American children'smedia franchisethat produceseducational TVseries, books, videos, music, video games, and classroom activities.[1]Its productions include theNetflix seriesAsk the StoryBots,StoryBots: Answer Time,StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo,andStoryBots Super Songs.[2]
| StoryBots | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by |
|
| Owners | |
| Years | 2012–present |
| Films and television | |
| Animated series | Ask the StoryBots,StoryBots Super Songs,Storybots: Answer Time,Storybots: Super Silly Stories with Bo |
| Television special(s) | A StoryBots Christmas |
| Television short(s) | StoryBots |
| Official website | |
| www | |
After launching online and gaining more than 620 million views onYouTube,[3]StoryBots launched its first television series on the streaming serviceNetflixin 2016. Over three seasons,Ask the StoryBotshas won multipleDaytime Emmy Awardsand anAnnie Award,along with recognition from thePeabody AwardsandBritish Academy Children's Awards.It also spawned a companion show,StoryBots Super Songs,and a holiday special,A StoryBots Christmas.[4]
Created by the entertainment studioJibJab,the brand later became part of StoryBots, Inc., an independentproduction company.StoryBots, Inc., (along with the StoryBots brand) was acquired by Netflix in May 2019 as part of an overall push by the streaming service into more educational andfamily-oriented content.[5][6]
History
editStoryBots launched to the public in the summer of 2012 and has been featured onCNN,[7]The New York Times,[8]CNBC,[9]and other news outlets.[10][11][12][13]Gregg Spiridellis,co-founder and CEO of StoryBots, told CNBC in 2013 that he and his brother had five young children between them and noticed "a massive shift in how kids are consuming media".[9]Spiridellis stated that this shift became the inspiration for StoryBots, with digital content akin toSesame Streetcreated for a device-centric, connected generation of children.[14]
In May 2019, Netflix announced that it had acquired the StoryBots media franchise and signed co-creators Evan and Gregg Spiridellis to an exclusive producing deal. The acquisition was the first of its kind forNetflixand was part of a stated commitment to expand its educational content.[5]
Television programming
editThe StoryBots franchise's original TV seriesAsk the StoryBotspremiered onNetflixon August 12, 2016. The show follows the StoryBots characters Beep, Bing, Bang, Boop, and Bo (a.k.a. "Answer Team 341B" ), and starsJudy Greer.Answer Team 341B goes on adventures into the human world to help answer kids' biggest questions. The first season featured guest appearances fromJay Leno,Whoopi Goldberg,"Weird Al" Yankovic,Kevin Smith,Garfunkel and Oates,Tim Meadows,andChris Parnell.Ask the StoryBotsreceived critical acclaim for its educational quality and entertainment value for both parents and children.[15][16]A second season premiered on Netflix on August 24, 2018, and featured guest appearances fromSnoop Dogg,Edward Norton,Christina Applegate,Wanda Sykes,David Cross,Ali Wong,Kristen Schaal,andDavid Koechner.
A third season was released worldwide on Netflix on August 2, 2019, and includes guest appearances fromJohn Legend,Zoe Saldana,Jennifer Garner,Jason Sudeikis,Alyssa Milano,Tony Hale,Maria Bamford,andReggie Watts.[5]A trailer for the new episodes was released on YouTube ahead of the season launch.[17]All three season's music soundtracks are available on most music streaming services.
Spinoffs
editA companion series,StoryBots Super Songs,premiered on October 7, 2016, also on Netflix. While each episode ofAsk the StoryBotsfeatured the lead characters answering a child's single question,StoryBots Super Songsfocused on broader topics, such as outer space, colors, shapes, and dinosaurs, through music and live-action vignettes with real children.[18]Episodes were also released on StoryBots'YouTubechannel.[19]
Ask the StoryBotsalso spun off a holiday special,A StoryBots Christmas,which premiered December 1, 2017, on Netflix. Featuring a guest appearance byEd AsnerasSanta Claus,the special received two DaytimeEmmy Awards,including Outstanding Special Class Animated Program, as well as four additional nominations.
A new series calledStoryBots: Answer Timepremiered on Netflix on November 21, 2022, and includes guest appearances fromDanny DeVito,Zooey Deschanel,Common,Sophie Turner,Kevin Smith,Anne Hathaway,Chrissy Teigen,Patton Oswalt,Gabriel Iglesias,andCraig Robinson.A second season of this show premiered on Netflix on July 10, 2023, and includes guest appearances fromRainn Wilson,Josh Gad,Wendi McLendon-Covey,Scarlett Johansson,Gabrielle Union,Joe Lo Truglio,Steve Buscemi,Kristen Bell,Simu Liu,Julie Bowen,Trevor Noah,andJessica Alba.
Another spin-off series calledStoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo[20]premiered on Netflix's YouTube channel on June 26, 2022.[21]The series consisted of four seasons, with a total of 26 short form episodes (approximately four to six minutes in length), and four long-form episodes (approximately 22 to 44 minutes in length).[22]Directed, co-written, and edited byHenry Dalton,this series differed fromAsk The StoryBotsandStoryBots: Answer Timein being comedy-led rather than centering around a child's question to be answered.Super Silly Storiesinstead focused on a single StoryBot, Bo, and featured much more interaction from the unscripted live-action children.[23]The series was nominated for twoKidscreen Awards,winning "Best Web/App Series - Branded (6-10 Years)."[24]The series has not become available on the streaming platform Netflix.[25]
Digital library
editStoryBots created a collection of online learning content and activities that were available at StoryBots' official website before its acquisition by Netflix in 2019.[26]However, the digital library is still available onYouTube.The StoryBots website was nominated for best youth website at the 2018Webby Awards.
The digital library includes:
- Learning Videos (a collection of animated musical videos that explore a wide range of educational topics)
- Starring You videos (animated music videos that allow users to add their own name and photo)
- Learning Books (educationally-focusedebookswith narration)
- Starring You books (ebooks ranging from classic fairy tales to modern adventures, with face and name personalization)
- Activity sheets and printable books
- Math Skills,[27]Common Core-aligned kindergarten-level math games
StoryBots Classroom
editIn 2016, StoryBots launched StoryBots Classroom, a free online resource for educators that includes unlimited access to the entire StoryBots library of digital books, videos, activities, the then-newly createdCommon Core State Standards Initiative-aligned Math Games, and classroom management tools including the Backpack and Class Roster.[27]The product was designed for use on laptops, tablets, and interactive white boards.[28]When it was released, StoryBots Classroom was by profiled byEducation Week[29]and was named an "S'Cool Tool of the Week" byEdSurge.[30]It has since received the Teachers' Choice Award and the Tech Edvocate Award for best early childhood education app or tool.
In an interview, CEO Gregg Spiridellis cited significant interest in StoryBots by teachers as the impetus to "invest more in building a product custom-tailored for classroom use, with an emphasis on interactive projection boards, classroom tools, and more educational content."[31]
After Netflix’s acquisition of the brand, StoryBots Classroom was made unavailable.[26]
YouTube channel
editStoryBots first uploaded five videos toYouTubein June 2012. StoryBots was also nominated for a 2019Webby Awardin the "Video Series & Channels – Animation" category.[32]
In 2018, StoryBots signed with theDHX Media-ownedWildBrainto manage its YouTube channel.[33]
In January 2019, the channel rebranded itself as Netflix Jr. to coincide with the buyout of StoryBots by Netflix.[26]
Print books
editIn addition to ebooks available on its website, StoryBots also has several print books featuring its characters that are published byRandom House Children's Books.[34]Titles include:
Awards
editSince its founding in 2012, StoryBots has won numerous awards for its digital content, including the Teachers' Choice Award fromLearning Magazine,Parent's Choice Award, Family Choice Award, Tech Advocate Award, and an Editor's Choice Award from Children's Technology Review.[41]
For its television work, includingAsk the StoryBots,A StoryBots Christmas,StoryBots: Answer Time,StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo,andStoryBots Super Songs,StoryBots has won nineDaytime Emmy Awards,anAnnie Award,and aKidscreen Award.It has received recognition from theBritish Academy Children's AwardsandPeabody Awards.
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Kidscreen Awards | Best Web/App Series - Branded (6-10 Years) | StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo | Won |
| Best Mixed-Media Series (6-10 Years) | StoryBots: Super Silly Stories with Bo | Nominated | ||
| Annie Awards | Best Animated Television/Media Production for Preschool Children | StoryBots: Answer Time | Nominated | |
| 2023 | Children's & Family Emmy Awards | Outstanding Preschool Animated Series | StoryBots: Answer Time | Won |
| Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Program | StoryBots: Answer Time | Won | ||
| Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Program | StoryBots: Answer TimeErin Fitzgerald | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Program | StoryBots: Answer TimeFred Tatasciore | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Editing for a Preschool Animated Program | StoryBots: Answer Time | Nominated | ||
| Annie Awards | Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Television/Media Production | StoryBots: Answer TimeHenrique Baron | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Television/Media Production | StoryBots: Answer TimeFred Tatasciore | Nominated | ||
| 2019 | Webby Award | Video Series & Channels – Animation | StoryBots onYouTube | Nominated |
| Websites – Education | StoryBots | Nominated | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated Series | Ask the StoryBots | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Program | Ask the StoryBots | Won | ||
| Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated Program | Ask the StoryBots | Won | ||
| Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program | StoryBots | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Performer in a Children's, Family Viewing or Special Class Program | Edward NortoninAsk the StoryBots | Nominated | ||
| Annie Award | Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children | Ask the StoryBots | Won | |
| Directing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production | Ask the StoryBots | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | Webby Award | Websites – Youth | StoryBots | Nominated |
| Common Sense Media | Common Sense Seal | A StoryBots Christmas | Won | |
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Special Class Animated Program | A StoryBots Christmas | Won | |
| Outstanding Interactive Media – Enhancement to a Daytime Program or Series | StoryBots | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Performer in a Children's/Preschool Children's or Educational or Informational Program | Ed AsnerinA StoryBots Christmas | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program | A StoryBots Christmas | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Directing in a Preschool Animated Program | A StoryBots Christmas | Won | ||
| Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program | A StoryBots Christmas | Nominated | ||
| Teachers' Choice Awards | Teachers' Choice Awards for the Family – Supplemental Materials | StoryBots | Won | |
| Kidscreen Awards | Best Learning App – Branded | StoryBots App | Nominated | |
| 2017 | Tech Edvocate Awards | Best Early Childhood Education App or Tool | StoryBots Classroom | Won |
| British Academy Children's Awards | International | Ask the StoryBots | Nominated | |
| Cynopsis Kids!magination Awards | Educational Series/Special | Ask the StoryBots | Nominated | |
| Webby Award | Mobiles Sites & Apps – Family & Kids | StoryBots App | Nominated | |
| Peabody Award | Children's Programming | Ask the StoryBots | Nominated | |
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated Program | Ask the StoryBots | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Interactive Media – Enhancement to a Daytime Program or Series | StoryBots App and StoryBots Classroom | Won | ||
| Outstanding Directing in a Preschool Animated Program | Ask the StoryBots | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design | Ask the StoryBots | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Sound Mi xing for a Preschool Animated Program | Ask the StoryBots | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program | Ask the StoryBots | Nominated | ||
| Teachers' Choice Awards | Teachers' Choice Awards for the Classroom – Supplemental Materials | StoryBots Classroom | Won | |
| Annie Awards | Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children | Ask the StoryBots | Nominated | |
| 2016 | Common Sense Media | Common Sense Seal | Ask the StoryBots | Won |
| Cynopsis Kids!magination Awards | Mobile App (Educational) | StoryBots App | Won | |
| 2015 | Parents' Choice Award | Parents' Choice Award Fun Stuff | StoryBots | Won |
| 2014 | Kapi Awards | Best App for Younger Children | StoryBots | Won |
| Parents' Choice Award | Parents' Choice Award Recommended | StoryBots | Won | |
| Family Choice Awards | Family Choice Award | StoryBots Starring You Videos | Won | |
| Interactive Media Awards | Family | StoryBots | Won | |
| 2013 | National Parenting Center | Seal of Approval | StoryBots | Won |
| Parents' Choice Award | Parents' Choice Award Recommended | StoryBots Beep & Boop | Won | |
| Parents' Choice Award | Parents' Choice Award Fun Stuff | StoryBots Starring You Books | Won | |
| Parents' Choice Award | Parents' Choice Award Recommended | StoryBots | Won | |
| Parents' Choice Award | Parents' Choice Award Silver Honor | StoryBots Tap & Sing | Won | |
| Children's Technology Review | Editors' Choice | StoryBots Beep & Boop | Won | |
| Children's Technology Review | Editors' Choice | StoryBots Tap & Sing | Won | |
| Appy Awards | Books | StoryBots Starring You Books | Won | |
| Interactive Media Awards | Kids | StoryBots | Won | |
| Family Choice Awards | Family Choice Award | StoryBots | Won | |
| 2012 | Family Choice Awards | Family Choice Award | StoryBots | Won |
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