Scholastic Bets on 90s Nostalgia with New Free Streaming App

Scholastic is leaning into its beloved catalog of classic shows, launching a new, free ad-supported streaming app with its portfolio company 9 Story Media Group and streaming operator Future Today. The service banks on millennial nostalgia and the publisher's trusted brand name to capture a family audience.

• Nostalgia on demand: The service features over 400 hours of programming available on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The library is heavy on classics, mixing Scholastic staples like Clifford the Big Red Dog and Goosebumps with other familiar shows from the 9 Story catalog, including Garfield and Barney & Friends.
• Following the money: The launch escalates the company's digital strategy, arriving just a year after Scholastic's $186 million investment in 9 Story. The move cashes in on strong demand for nostalgic content, with 9 Story's VP of Digital Elianne Friend noting the Scholastic brand is "trusted by families everywhere."

In a crowded kids' streaming market, Scholastic is betting that its decades-old brand trust is a powerful enough differentiator to attract families wary of algorithm-driven platforms. The new app fits squarely into partner Future Today’s broader strategy of operating AVOD channels like HappyKids for major brands. Looking ahead, Scholastic plans to keep the app's content fresh by expanding to more platforms and adding new series to the catalog.