One of the most recognizable names in preschool entertainment is jumping platforms—but not because it’s still on top. CoComelon, once considered untouchable in the world of animated children’s content, is leaving Netflix and heading to Disney. The move to Disney+ will take effect in January 2027, just months before the scheduled release of a Universal-backed CoComelon movie.
But behind the headlines is a very different story: CoComelon isn’t what it used to be, and Netflix seemed to know it.
Cocomelon Lane: Season 1. (L to R) Ava Madison Gray as JJ and Andrew Bazzi as TomTom in Cocomelon Lane: Season 1. Cr. NETFLIX © 2023
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According to internal sources from Netflix that spoke to Deadline, CoComelon viewership has cratered—dropping nearly 60% between the first half of 2023 and the second half of 2024. That decline came despite the release of four new seasons (S9–S12) within that same period, signaling what some insiders have called “franchise fatigue.” While the show still registers decent performance in the Nielsen top 10 for children ages 2–5, it’s far from the dominant force it once was.
So why is Disney stepping in for Cocomelon now?
Netflix Walked Away
Reports indicate that both Netflix and Disney submitted offers to renew licensing rights with Moonbug Entertainment, the Candle Media-owned company behind CoComelon. Disney’s offer was higher, but the narrative that Netflix was simply outbid doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. Sources close to the matter claim Netflix made the strategic decision to let the brand go, citing waning returns and an internal reassessment of their preschool slate.
The cast of Sesame Street – YouTube, Sesame Street
Indeed, Netflix has already moved to secure the rights to Sesame Street and Pepe Pig, which may soon take CoComelon’s place in the platform’s lineup. That acquisition, made public just weeks after Bloomberg first reported CoComelon’s pending departure, suggests Netflix had a replacement plan ready to go. Other Moonbug titles like CoComelon Lane and Blippi will remain exclusive to Netflix, which could further dilute the CoComelon brand by fragmenting its ecosystem across platforms.
It’s a significant shift considering CoComelon was once hailed as the single most-watched kids’ show on Netflix. For years, it sat at the top of the streamer’s internal rankings, anchoring its preschool library. But as newer content emerged and the brand’s novelty wore off, engagement dropped—and so did its renewal value.
Disney Takes a Risk
Disney+, meanwhile, is inheriting a property already past its peak. While CoComelon will join the Disney service’s top-tier lineup of preschool content—including Bluey, Spidey and His Amazing Friends, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse—it’s unclear whether the addition will actually enhance the platform’s performance.
In Nielsen’s most recent streaming rankings, CoComelon sits at #6 for the preschool demo, a far cry from its once-dominant position.
Cocomelon Lane: Season 1. Alice Cho as Nina in Cocomelon Lane: Season 1. Cr. NETFLIX © 2023
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The Disney deal includes future seasons of CoComelon as well as eight seasons of Little Angel, a spinoff with strong performance in Latin American markets. That global appeal may explain part of Disney’s thinking. But unlike Bluey, which continues to see surging popularity and merchandise dominance, CoComelon shows signs of plateauing in both views and cultural relevance.
Ironically, CoComelon was once part of the Disney family already. From October 2020 to October 2022, the show streamed on Hulu (before Disney had sole ownership in the platform), where it became the most-watched title among households with preschool-aged children. But that was during the lockdown-era content boom, and the metrics haven’t kept pace since. What worked in 2020 may not have the same pull seven years later.
Timed with a Theatrical Push
The timing of the Disney+ deal conveniently overlaps with the planned release of a CoComelon feature film from Universal in 2027. While Disney has no role in the movie’s production, housing the series on Disney+ in advance of the release gives the Mouse House an opportunity to benefit from renewed public interest—if the movie performs.
Bluey and Bingo are super excited when Dad brings out Unicorse!
But that’s a big “if.” With declining viewership and oversaturation of the brand across YouTube, Netflix, and merchandise aisles, it’s not clear CoComelon still has the magic. Disney may be betting that it can net a surefire preschool sensation, much like it did with Bluey after importing the Australian hit. But Bluey was still on its rise when Disney picked it up. CoComelon may already be on the way down.
Bottom Line
Disney didn’t just win a bidding war—it rented a brand in decline. Whether it’s a savvy long-term investment or a miscalculation remains to be seen. But one thing seems clear: Netflix didn’t lose CoComelon. It left it behind.
Cocomelon Lane: Season 1. (L to R) Kristen Princiotta as Mom, Hannah An as YoYo, Hannah An as TomTom, Ava Madison Gray as JJ, and Jake Turner as Dad in Cocomelon Lane: Season 1. Cr. NETFLIX © 2023
Are you surprised that Disney will be the new home of Cocomelon? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
