Amazon Sets New Kids Pilots

Amazon continues to build on its kids-targeted original lineup with the November debut of six animated pilots, the OTT service said Friday.

The animated pilots, which will debut Nov. 5 on Amazon Video, include pre-school targeted shows The Numberlys, which follows best friends who encourage children to think beyond the way things are always done; and a show based on the book series If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, said network executives.

Animated pilots targeted to children 6 to 11 include Danger & Eggs, following the adventures of a fearless youngster and her timid egg friend; Eddie of the Realms Eternal, about a meek teen balancing a hero’s life while dealing with the ordinary pressures of middle school life; Everstar, which follows a 12-year-old girl accidentally brought aboard a rogue spaceship that travels the universe; and Yoyotoki HappyEars!,  which follows a fox whose family accidentally lands on Mytholopia and encounters its unusual citizens who stir up their lives in extraordinary way.

Amazon customers will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the shows they want to see turned into full series for Prime members, said company officials. All pilots will be available via the Amazon Video app for TVs, connected devices and mobile devices, or online at Amazon.com/amazonvideo.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.