- The following is content from the press release -
Benesse Corporation (headquartered in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture; Hitoshi Kobayashi, President; hereinafter "Benesse") announces the renewal of Kodomo Challenge TV, an Internet video distribution service for infants and toddlers that has been available for a fee. The service will be renewed so that anyone can view it free of charge.
Kodomo Challenge TV is a service that delivers approximately 400 video contents per year, carefully selected by Kodomo Challenge from Japan and overseas based on the six themes (Thinking, Expression, Symbiotic, Physical, Lifestyle, and English) that we want to nurture in early childhood. The service is available to anyone in Japan with an Internet connection and a mobile device. Since the launch of the service in 2021, Benesse has been providing "quality content for children both in Japan and abroad. Since its launch in 2021, the service has been well received, with customers saying, "It's very helpful to have a selection of quality content to show my children, both in Japan and overseas," and "My children are now interested in new things.
In conjunction with this renewal, we have added a new function that provides recommendations via e-mail for more comfortable viewing, such as information on popular content. The function also recommends the most suitable videos for each target age group, so that each child can learn according to his or her age and developmental stage, in addition to his or her individual interests.
Content Examples
Background of the free provision of Kodomo Challenge TV
In recent years, the number of families with two working parents has been increasing, and there is a growing expectation and need for the use of video media that can be safely shown to children without the need for parents' time and effort in their busy schedules. In addition, due to the voluntary restraint of going out due to the new Corona, children are spending more time at home, which is increasing the opportunities for children to watch videos on their smartphones and tablets. Under such circumstances, we often hear comments from parents that they feel guilty about showing their children videos on their smartphones, or that they are unsure what to show their children nowadays from among the flood of videos on the Internet.
In response to this situation, we have decided to offer this service free of charge in order to deliver quality videos that parents can show their children with peace of mind and that children can enjoy and engage with toddler families nationwide. We will continue to enhance the functions and video content for easy use in various ways.
Service Overview of Kodomo Challenge TV
Official name Kodomo Challenge TV Called: Kodomo Challenge TV
■Start Date Free of charge starting October 31, 2022.
*This service is available free of charge to anyone, even those who are not members of Kodomo Challenge.
■Site https://kodomo.benesse.ne.jp/ap/meecha/ Introduction of the program and some videos are available.
■Features
(1) Selected high-quality content from six themes to be nurtured in early childhood
Kodomo Challenge delivers approximately 400 high-quality contents per year, carefully selected by Kodomo Challenge from Japan and overseas, based on six themes that we want to nurture in early childhood. We broaden your child's interests.
(2) Recommended functions by target age group and creating a safe and secure environment
The system creates a safe and secure viewing environment for small children with a display function that recommends the best programs for each age group, an alarm that alerts the user when the viewing time exceeds a certain level, and a voice prompt that encourages the user to keep a sufficient distance from the screen.
(3) Can be viewed on large-screen TVs
It is also available on Android and some other smart TVs.
4) Popular content from "Kodomo Challenge" also available
Animations and movies by Shimajiro and popular content from the correspondence course "Kodomo Challenge" will also be available. Videos only available on "Kodomo Challenge TV" include virtual exploration of work at airports and airplanes, as well as programs that familiarize children with English songs.
How to use
Please download the Kodomo Challenge TV app from the App Store or Google Play and register for use. The free version of the app will be released on October 31.
Mobile version of the application is compatible with the following devices
Devices with iOS 14 or higher, smartphones and tablets with Android 8.0 or higher (some devices are not supported)
*Customers are responsible for all communication costs.
*This service is not available in places where there is no communication environment.
This service is available only in Japan.
Compatible models for the Smart TV version of the application
Apple TV
Apple TV HD
Apple TV 4K
Android TV
Sharp AQUOS / Android 9
Sony Bravia 4K / Android 9
Fire TV
Fire TV Stick (2020/9) / Fire OS 7 / Android 9.0
Fire TV Stick 4K / Fire TV Stick 4K Max / Fire OS 6 / Android 7.1
Fire TV Cube / Fire OS 7 / Android 9
*Cannot be viewed with a mirroring function such as a cast cable.
Comments from Keiko Toyoizumi, Manager of Kodomo Challenge, Benesse Corporation
In response to the voices of parents who want to "broaden their children's interests even in their busy lives" and "provide them with a variety of safe and high-quality content when showing them the same videos," Kodomo Challenge has decided to offer a paid version of its highly popular video application "Kodomo Challenge TV" as a free version. Kodomo Challenge has decided to provide a free version of its popular paid video application, Kodomo Challenge TV.
Since there are no advertisements, your child's enjoyment will not be interrupted, and since all videos are checked by Kodomo Challenge, there are no videos that you do not want to show your child. Please feel free to use this service to increase and expand your child's curiosity for the future.
About Kodomo Challengehttps://www2.shimajiro.co.jp/
Kodomo Challenge, launched in 1988, continues to provide products and services that expand children's potential through play and learning suited to their upbringing. In addition to educational materials for children aged 0-6 that nurture the ability to open up the future through rich experiences with the brand character "Shimajiro," the company offers products and services that support children's growth, including English language materials, TV programs, movies, and concerts. We also offer courses in early childhood education materials in China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
Benesse's Kodomo Challenge TV offers carefully selected content that is interesting and informative for children. Although filtering for children is inevitably difficult on video social networking services, and there are concerns such as the inclusion of advertisements, Kodomo Challenge TV can be shown to children with peace of mind, so parents and guardians can rest assured.
Kodomo Challenge TV is now free of charge. We hope that you will make use of it at home. Although the models are limited, it is possible to watch the program on so-called "smart TV" applications. We hope that more TVs will become available in the future.
Let's take a look at the details from the press release.