Netflix takes on TikTok with a new feed for KIDS that features short video clips taken from its library of children’s content, report reveals
- Kids Clips uses a landscape interface to show content on a smart phone or tablet
- It’s only for Netflix’s iOS app and lets young users watch 10 to 20 clips at a time
- It’ll attract young viewers who might normally watch clips on TikTok or YouTube
Streaming giant Netflix is taking on TikTok with a new feed dedicated to kids, a new report reveals.
Kids Clips, which is being tested for users in the US and other countries – but not the UK quite yet – features short video clips from its existing library of children’s content.
Kids Clips is for Netflix’s iOS app and lets kids watch up to 20 clips at a time. It should attract young viewers who normally watch clips on TikTok or YouTube.
Kids Clips, pictured here displayed on a smartphone, uses a landscape interface to show content on a phone or tablet, unlike TikTok, which has a portrait display
The feature will begin rolling out this week in the US, Canada, Australia and Ireland, as well as Spanish speaking territories in Latin America. MailOnline has contacted Netflix regarding a rollout in the UK.
Netflix confirmed the launch of the feature after its presence was discovered in hidden code by Steve Moser, who ‘mines software releases for hidden gems’. After discovering Kids Clips, Moser shared the news with Bloomberg.
Kids Clips uses a landscape interface to show content on a phone or tablet. Its interface also seems to include a shortcut for adding a title to a ‘watch later’ list.
Netflix reportedly plans to add new clips daily based on its current and future offerings.
Expansion: Netflix is trying to break into the game subscription market by offering subscribers five free mobile games to play on Android phones (pictured)
The feature is similar to Fast Laughs, launched in March this year, which shows comedy clips displayed on Netflix in a TikTok-like feed.
Netflix has also recently moved into gaming – it rolled out five mobile gaming titles for Android phones worldwide in early November.
In September, it also acquired video game developer Night School Studio, best known for its debut game, ‘Oxenfree’, a supernatural teen thriller with an eerie soundtrack.
‘Like our shows and films, these games will all be included as part of your Netflix membership – all with no ads and no in-app purchases,’ the company said.
Also in September, it launched a free subscription plan for users in Kenya with an Android phone, as part of attempts to sign up more users in the African market.
With 209 million subscribers around the world, Netflix is the world’s biggest streaming service
In July, Netflix published its latest earnings report, which revealed disappointing subscriber growth for 2021, and confirmed it would be expanding into games in the near future.
The streaming giant reported gains of just 5.5 million subscribers in the first six months of this year – its weakest numbers since 2013.
Despite the slowdown, Netflix remains by far the world’s biggest streaming service in an increasingly competitive field that includes Disney+, HBO, Amazon and Apple.