Alpha Moms Get VOD Offering
By R. Thomas Umstead In this story:
‘SPOTTY’ UNTIL NOW VORTEX FROM CORUS
Comcast Corp. is reaching out to parents and kids through two new on-demand services.
Parents can tap into three hours a month of informational programming on raising children through a new free VOD service dubbed "Alpha Mom TV," Comcast officials said.
The service, which launched in May, provides 15- to 20-minute video segments focusing on a number of parenting stages, from taking care of infants to raising toddlers.
Network co-founder Isabel Kallman said Alpha Mom TV addressed a need for programs for parents, and moms in particular.
‘SPOTTY’ UNTIL NOW
"There have been some linear networks that have tried to fill that void but it’s been somewhat spotty," she said.
She called the VCR functionality of VOD ideal for parents with often unpredictable schedules. As a consequence, Alpha Mom TV co-founder Vicky Germaise said the network will most likely not seek carriage as a linear service.
For Comcast, the service helps broaden overall on-demand offerings.
"Kids don’t come with instruction manuals, so being able to offer parents that 24-hour help at a touch of a button will add value to our [VOD] offerings," Comcast spokeswoman Jenni Moyer said last week.
VORTEX FROM CORUS
Later this month, Comcast will add a new animation-based, tween-targeted service to its kids VOD lineup.
As part of a partnership with Canadian-based Corus Entertainment, Comcast On Demand will add 393 hours of programming under the Vortex On Demand moniker. Content includes such fare as Jacob Two-Two, Tales from the Crypt Keeper, Pippi Longstocking, Dumb Bunnies, My Dad the Rock Star and Cadillacs & Dinosaurs.
Vortex On Demand joins Comcast-owned PBS Kids Sprout, as well as Pre-K Kids On Demand, as on-demand content targeting kids.
"[Vortex On Demand] really broadens the scope of programming for kids of all ages, and children’s programming has been one of the more popular programming," Moyer said. "This gives [kids] more of the type of programming they enjoy."
