06/12/2025
How do you build a global media company in the YouTube era?
FORTUNE spent time with Moonbug’s CEO, partners, and senior leaders to understand how CoComelon grew from a YouTube idea into a franchise loved by families around the world.
Three takeaways from the story:
1. Rene saw something the industry didn’t.
Before Moonbug existed, Rene saw in his own kids that viewing was shifting to YouTube. Many dismissed it. He didn’t. That insight became the foundation for Moonbug.
“A good portion of what people were watching on YouTube, some 25%, was kids programming, and no big studios owned any of it.” — Rene
2. CoComelon’s homes on Netflix — and soon Disney+ — show the power of multi-platform storytelling.
Families don’t stay on one platform, and Moonbug meets them everywhere: YouTube, streamers, FAST, linear, music, and consumer products.
The story spotlights a key moment in CoComelon’s evolution: its upcoming move to Disney+ in 2027, a reflection of the brand’s demand and how major platforms think about kids IP today.
3. The CoComelon film marks the franchise’s next big leap.
FORTUNE reveals that Justin Tranter has signed on as executive music producer for CoComelon: The Movie, bringing a pop-inspired sound to JJ’s world. Kat Good will direct – an exciting creative team expanding CoComelon into its first theatrical experience.
“My goal for these new CoComelon songs is to make them joyful and catchy enough that kids are obsessed, but cool and rich enough that parents are happy to hear them on a loop.” — Justin Tranter
