Paris-based animation producer Xilam has crunched its digital distribution numbers, and has found that its shows are performing exceptionally well with viewers worldwide — just as they have for over 20 years on traditional TV channels across the globe.
On YouTube, Xilam series primarily aimed at small children (0-3) and families have accumulated 3.5 billion views and 23 billion minutes watched (an average of 6+ minutes per viewing) — an unprecedented record for a French company. And Xilam’s global reputation is clearly growing: in the first half of 2016, YouTube views for its content topped 1.1 billion, a 159% increase over the first half of 2015 (215 million views).
Among the most popular Xilam properties available to kids and families on YouTube are Oggy and the Cockroaches and Zig & Sharko, which have distinguished themselves by joining the ranks of the most-watched series on YouTube worldwide. These two shows watched most by viewers in the US, Southeast Asia, and Western Europe, and already boast more than 1.2 million active subscribers.
Given these strong performances, Xilam — already a long-time strategic partner for YouTube — will be a benchmark partner for the launch of the new YouTube Kids app in France. Xilam’s catalog will naturally be well represented on the kid-safe iOS/Android app at its launch by Oggy and the Cockroaches and Zig & Sharko. These hit shows have already contributed to the app’s successful launch in the US, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Spain.
In response to the growing demand for content on digital platforms, Xilam established a dedicated team tasked with creating original content as well as maximizing its existing catalog. Thus, the company today boasts 20 channels on YouTube and close to 15 active social media fan communities, like its 3.3 million-follower Facebook group.
“With the digital revolution and changing usage, Xilam enjoys direct and privileged access to the final consumer,” said F. Xavier de Maistre, Director of Marketing & Digital. “This major transformation allows Xilam to add to its model of B to B content production a B to C model that opens new growth prospects. It also gives us access to a more refined and immediate understanding of the expectations of our audience.”
In addition to its success on YouTube, Xilam is also a major player on leading SVOD platforms as one of the principal French content suppliers to Netflix and Amazon, which both feature a broad range of Xilam animation.
