BroadbandTV Acquires YoBoHo; Becomes One of the Top Kids and Family Networks on YouTube

Leading media and technology company BroadbandTV (BBTV) has announced the acquisition of kid’s content producer and publisher: YoBoHo, making BBTV one of the leaders in kids and family entertainment on YouTube. YoBoHo’s video library boasts over 8,000 videos mainly produced by the company, it operates the largest pre-school and K-12 educational network on YouTube: HooplaKidz and the vast majority of its content is original Intellectual Property (IP). All 55 YoBoHo employees will join BBTV, including: producers, writers, marketers, technology and mobile experts, and a strong business development team. RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, provided funding for BroadbandTV’s acquisition of YoBoHo.

The vertical is experiencing exponential growth, with Nielsen reporting that total online video consumption by kids aged 2 to 11 has increased by 87% in the last three years.

“We’re very pleased to conclude the acquisition of a top player in the kid’s space at a time when the kid’s content vertical is experiencing burgeoning growth,” said Shahrzad Rafati, Founder and CEO, BroadbandTV. “BBTV is also making a multi-million dollar investment in YoBoHo to further expand its library of original content, broaden its international footprint, and further diversify its revenue streams.”

“Given YouTube’s tremendous commitment and investments in the kids and family vertical, we stand well positioned to capitalize on this momentum,” continued Rafati. “We’re now a leader in the industry in a number of major content verticals.”

“With significant investments in multi-channel networks, RTL Group has become the number two player in the YouTube ecosystem in less than 24 months. BroadbandTV currently represents two thirds of RTL Group’s online video views, and its acquisition of YoBoHo is another milestone in our joint efforts to achieve leading positions in all segments of the rapidly growing online video space,” commented: Guillaume de Posch, Co-CEO of RTL Group. “It also underlines our commitment to foster the global growth of BroadbandTV.”

Malik Ducard, Global Head of Content for YouTube Kids & Learning commented: “YouTube Kids’ viewership is growing rapidly thanks to strong entrepreneurial partners like YoBoHo and we’re excited to see this combination with BroadbandTV, a company that continues to innovate and invest successfully in this space.”

“YoBoHo has launched 27 channels featuring original programming produced in house reaching a global scale. We have successfully built whole ecosystems around kid’s content, which has led us to become a top player in the space. We have significant plans to develop this further,” said Hitendra Merchant, Founder & CEO, YoBoHo. “Our partnership with BBTV allows us to accelerate our international footprint, advance our major content production efforts and scale our business by leveraging their cutting edge technology and powerful MCN business.”

HooplaKidz joins other leading BBTV brands: TGN, the most engaged gaming network on YouTube; Opposition, the largest hip-hop music network; and popular female lifestyle brand, Kandesa. BBTV remains one of the fastest growing businesses of its kind, it currently operates the third largest multi-channel network (MCN) which is comprised of over of 32,000 partners with a growing library of more than 10.5 million video assets.