The children’s content unit at RAI Italia is experiencing a moment of transformation, according to Sara Cabras, who works in co-production and pre-acquisition into the direction of children’s content on the public broadcaster.
In conversation with Prensario during the Premios Quirino 2024, Cabras specified that the channel continues to dedicate great efforts to its two channels in this unit: Rai Yoyo (for children from 3 to 7 years old) and Rai Gulp (for children from 7 to 13 years old). And at the same time, nurturing the children’s catalog of its RaiPlay platform, which has a section with programming dedicated to the children’s audience.
Precisely the enhancement of the unit’s catalog is what is taking it to event markets this year, such Premios Quirino (Spain) and now to Annecy/MIFA (France). ‘We appreciate the enormous efforts they make to bring together independent filmmakers,’ said Cabras.
The executive referred especially to the collaboration between Europe and Ibero-American countries, highlighting ‘the fundamental role’ of initiatives such as «Ibermedia NEXT» in the promotion and development of the industry. ‘There are two projects selected in the first call of the program, which have an Italian studio as co-producer, that encouraged us to come and give them a viewing to explore. Italian animation is constantly expanding and the openness to new collaborations is an important sign’.
In addition, Cabras shared RAI‘s vision to adapt to changes in media consumption, especially among children. ‘We are focused on transforming the company’s ecosystem towards multiplatform, which is why we are working to make our content more accessible and relevant to an increasingly digital audience’.
Regarding the children’s programming currently on the air, Cabras described the diversity of content offered on her children’s channels: ‘every year we activate more than 40 titles between co-productions and pre-purchases of animated and live-action series in collaboration with European studios. The rest of the programming includes acquired programs, a small part are self-produced programs, created in the Rai‘ production studios’.The offer of linear and digital content is constantly expanding, which is why Rai Kids is constantly committed to searching for original and innovative content. Initiatives like Ibermedia represent another opportunity for exploration and comparison between different realities.
