Amazon makes kids content free during coronavirus; launches profiles

Amazon is making a portion of its children’s programming available for free as the world battles against the coronavirus pandemic.

The company announced that 40 family and kids’ shows will be available for all Amazon customers, regardless or whether they have a Prime subscription.

Series available include Arthur, Peppa Pig, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom and Amazon originals such as Just Add Magic, Pete the Cat and If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.

In the US, PBS shows – such as Arthur – are free right now, though they are normally a part of PBS Kids, a US$4.99 per month channel available through Amazon.

Amazon has not detailed how long the offer will last, but it serves as a good advert for the service, particularly at a time when the family-oriented Disney+ is gathering traction.

IMDb TV, Amazon’s ad-supported free streamer in the US, has added 80 free family movies including Shrek 2, Scooby Doo: The Movie and The Smurfs.

Profile perfect

Elsewhere, Amazon has added user profiles to Prime Video, allowing up to six different people to keep a track of their viewing progress and manage watch lists.

In addition, Kid profiles can also be added, with parents able to set up restrictions. All content within these profiles will be suitable for children under the age of 12.

The surprise addition is something of a late move by Amazon, with the feature being commonplace in the industry. Netflix, for example, has offered profiles for years, though Amazon has literally one-upped Netflix by allowing six profiles to Netflix’s five.