WIRED: The Future of Children’s Television Isn’t Television
UC children’s media expert Nancy Jennings cited in article on the future of children’s programing
Once upon a time children’s programing was relegated to Saturday morning cartoons on a handful of television networks. Then, in the 1980s, cable television led to the addition of kid-specific channels – such as Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel – with more children’s content available on VHS tapes, and later DVDs, from rental services like Blockbuster and Family Video.
Today, however, children’s programing is available all day, every day and YouTube is busting out as the most popular platform.
“Time spent with YouTube is even higher than it is with streaming content,” UC’s children’s media expert Nancy Jennings tells WIRED in an article about the current and future state of children’s programing.
The article goes on to summarize the competition between YouTube and streaming services such as Netflix and Paramount who are all trying to capture the children’s programing market.
Jennings, a professor in the School of Communication, Film and media studies, is the director of UC’s Children's Education and Entertainment Research Center and studies the impact of media on the lives of children and their families and public policies, and practices involved with children’s media. Her research focuses on children's cognitive and social development and their use of media.
Featured image at top iStock photo/sankai
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
6 ways starting a GLP-1 medication could affect your emotions
May 20, 2026
When patients first start taking a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication, they probably expect to feel full. But they might not anticipate how it can influence their emotions. The medications act on the stomach and the brain, said Malti Vij, MD, a University of Cincinnati adjunct associate professor in the College of Medicine's Department of Internal Medicine and a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
Donald P. Klekamp College of Law at the University of Cincinnati naming celebration
May 19, 2026
Joy reverberated in the atrium at the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law at the University of Cincinnati on Friday, May 15, 2026. Laughter, smiles, heartfelt speeches and an appearance by the Bearcat made for a special afternoon for the family, friends, University of Cincinnati alumni, students, faculty and leadership who gathered to celebrate the renaming of the college.
UC Serves gives back to Greater Cincinnati
May 18, 2026
UC Serves brought together more than 425 staff and faculty volunteers Friday, May 15, for a day of giving back to the community. It has drawn participation from across the University of Cincinnati since 2014.