Source: Evan Shapiro: Media War & Peace
The economics of kids programming are breaking down. Production costs remain high while ad-supported YouTube has cannibalized linear TV's revenue without building sustainable alternatives for creators. YouTube's outsized influence over what children watch gives the platform editorial power over childhood development without corresponding accountability for content quality or algorithmic promotion decisions. The shift from scheduled programming to algorithmic recommendation means parents have less control over viewing sequences, while creators face unit economics that favor either junk content or abandonment of the category.