By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
The stories of Dr. Seuss will soon get their own podcasts through Wondery Kids & Family, starting with The Cat in the Hat.
Wondery Kids and Family is a division of Wondery, one of the world’s most successful podcast studios. The company has signed what it calls an “expansive deal” with Dr. Seuss Enterprises to bring the world of the classic children’s author to podcast programming.
Leading the content roster will be the Sept. 18 premiere of The Cat in the Hat Cast, a fantastical variety show-style podcast series hosted by everyone’s favorite red and white hat-wearing Cat from the internationally renowned best-selling book The Cat in the Hat. The podcast will be available exclusively on Wondery+ through the Wondery app, and on Wondery Kids+ on Apple Podcasts.
Wondery is an Amazon-owned company that acts as a premium podcast studio known for character-driven, binge-worthy stories.
Wondery was behind eight of the “Top 25 New Shows of 2022,” according to Podtrac, and over 50 shows from Wondery have hit No. 1 on Apple Podcasts.
Wondery Kids & Family is a separate division that provides a home for a slate of podcasts for families to enjoy together that spark curiosity, imagination, and discussion. Current Wondery Kids & Family podcasts include Little Stories Everywhere, Whose Amazing Life, and Wow in the World, the #1 science podcast for kids and family. Wondery Kids & Family podcasts are available early and ad-free on Wondery Kids+, through “Kids Mode” on the Wondery app which offers a safe, family-focused podcast listening experience, and on Apple Podcasts. Wondery Kids & Family podcasts are also accessible wherever you listen to podcasts.
Nicole Blake, Head of Franchise Development for Wondery says this announcement marks a pivotal moment for both companies.
She explains that adding the iconic IP from Dr. Seuss further underscores the commitment by Wondery to not only being a leader in kids and family podcasts, but also a next generation entertainment powerhouse.
“This deal with Dr. Seuss Enterprises is a milestone moment in establishing Wondery Kids & Family as the premiere destination for engaging family content,” Blake said. “Both Wondery Kids & Family and Dr. Seuss are all about unlocking kids’ curiosity, imagination and wonder. This is truly a natural fit and we are looking forward to creating an array of programming that entertains and inspires the minds of tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, for Dr. Seuss Enterprises, its entrance into the podcasting space through this venture helps to further its bigger entertainment mission. The company’s stated goal is to deliver world-class content that features its renowned character franchises across the entire entertainment spectrum, in collaboration with industry trailblazers like Wondery Kids & Family.
“The works of Dr. Seuss have resonated with readers of all ages for generations, and the books promote the importance of staying curious and using your imagination,” said Dr. Seuss CEO Susan Brandt. “Wondery Kids & Family has an incredible vision for how to bring to life our characters and stories in podcasting form. We believe this collaboration not only builds upon Dr. Seuss’s incredible legacy but also plays a key part of our bigger entertainment strategy for the Dr. Seuss franchise.”
The Wondery Kids & Family Dr. Seuss slate will kick-off September 18 with the debut of The Cat in the Hat Cast on Wondery+. The whimsical new show is intended for families with kids 3 or older, taking listeners on an adventure with The Cat himself, as he enlightens the ever-cautious Fish on the art of hosting a perfectly poised podcast. While based on the Dr. Seuss character, the content is new, and features alphabet song sing-a-longs, tremendous tongue-twisters, and wondrous wordplay.
The partners say additional series inspired by the imaginative worlds created by Dr. Seuss will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
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