Candle Media’s Kevin Mayer Explains Why “Cocomelon” Moved From Netflix To Disney+

June 25, 2025 Roger Palmer

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the hit children’s series, “Cocomelon” will be moving from Netflix to Disney+ in 2027. The popular show lets viewers learn letters, numbers, animal sounds and more with JJ in this musical series that brings fun times with nursery rhymes for the whole family!

The show is created by Candle Media’s Moonbug Entertainment and recently the CEO, Kevin Mayer, took part in a fireside chat at APOS and was asked about the move of the show from Netflix to Disney+ and if the deal had implications for the kids content ecosystem.

“Well, I wouldn’t read too much into this one shift from Netflix to Disney+ as a broader shift in the ecosystem necessarily. All the IP from the Moonbug originates on YouTube, and I think it’s a very different model for media companies.”

Kevin Mayer used to work at Disney for many years and was behind the launch of Disney+, but he left when Bob Iger picked Bob Chapek as his replacement as Disney CEO. During the interview, he explained why that helped with making this deal.

“Netflix was a great home for [Cocomelon] for a long time, and there are different usage occasions. Some parents are comfortable with YouTube. Some parents are more comfortable with the more curated environment that Netflix represents, and of course Disney is a natural home for kids and family product. I come from Disney, I spent 25 years there, it’s a natural place for this to migrate to, and I think we want to take our properties and strategically deploy them across all the different streaming platforms — Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ — there are many streaming platforms, many homes for our properties, and we try to take advantage of that.”

Roger’s Take: Disney knows it dominates the pre-school market with its hit shows like “Bluey”, “Spidey And His Amazing Friends” and “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”, so adding “Cocomelon” to its lineup is only going to help keep kids and parents engaged with Disney+. There are questions about how much viewership dropped off on Netflix over the years and if Disney has overpaid for the license. I also think, given the Candle Media CEO’s history with Disney, it does feel like a natural fit for the show and how it was easier for him to know what Disney was looking for. Ultimately, we will have to see if “Cocomelon” continues to be a big hit in years to come and if Disney made the right move.