A new audio network focused on kids and family content launches with a slate of programming including education, bedtime stories, adventure, science and kid-friendly news. Starglow Media says it is dedicated to delivering the “next generation of podcasts and audiobooks” exclusively for children and families. Jed Baker founded the company and will serve as Starglow Media’s CEO. Prior to Starglow, Baker worked at United Talent Agency in its Podcast and TV departments, representing the likes of Wondery, iHeart, Audible, and many others.
“Kids & Family is the fastest growing genre in audio at the moment due to 71% of U.S. parents saying they’re concerned their child is spending too much time on screens,” Baker says. “Audio is the perfect alternative, but right now there is far too little content being provided as evidenced by the most recent report from Edison Research and KidsListen. We could not be more excited to help solve this problem.”
Starglow Media’s initial lineup includes KidNuz, a first-of-its-kind podcast daily news series for kids that is designed to connect curious kids with current events. Other podcasts include a show called Stories Podcast. It is a story-time show for kids of all ages and one of the most listened to kids podcasts globally. Starglow also features Stories Podcast Sleep Series, which is a bedtime companion series to Stories Podcast. The network also features Who Smarted?, a Science & History podcast, and Girl Tales, a weekly podcast that offers a feminist twist on classic fairytales, fables, and myths. The shows in Starglow’s portfolio come with an existing combined average of three million monthly downloads. While the first group of shows are all licensed, Starglow plans to develop its own original content that will target kids age 3 to 12.
Agerenesh Ashagre Palmer will serve as Starglow Media’s Vice President of Operations, bringing with her a wealth of experience from Pineapple Street Studios, where she served as an Executive Producer. She previously worked with podcast producers including The Ringer, BuzzFeed, NPR, Vox, and The Atlantic. Agerenesh has also made her mark in the kids' podcast landscape as a consultant and senior producer, most recently with the podcast Keyshawn Solves It for PBS Kids.
Starglow Media has already pulled in what is says is “significant support” from Hollywood investors. No dollar figures were announced but the list of investors includes Max Cutler, the Parcast founder who most recently was Head of Talk Creator Content & Partnerships at Spotify. He will also act as an advisor to Starglow.
Baker is also launching with support of his former home of United Talent Agency, which is also an investor in Starglow along with individual support from UTA board members Matt Rice and Peter Benedek. Other financial backers include Powerhouse Capital, Watertower Ventures, BDMI, K5, and Jenna Bush Hager, alongside her company Thousand Voices. Hager will also be one of Starglow’s investors, as will Stephen Davis, a Partner at Still Pictures and former CCO/President of Consumer Product Licensing at Hasbro, and Snapchat’s Josh Stone.
Starglow Media is represented by United Talent Agency.
“We are thrilled to be working with Jed in this new capacity as the opportunities for this genre are immense and we’re just scratching the surface, both in audio and other derivative formats,” UTA Partner & Head of Audio Oren Rosenbaum said.
For parents who want to avoid advertising, Starglow Media has launched a subscription channel on Apple Podcasts.