Industry consolidation, digital proliferation and licensing sensations have all shaped the kids space in 2017—and the standings in Kidscreen’s annual Hot50 rankings. This year’s finalists across Broadcasting, Production, Distribution, Licensing and Digital Media categories have reigned supreme over their competitors, as determined by votes from Kidscreen‘s 16,500 magazine and newsletter subscribers during a three-week period in the fall.

Notable mentions include CAKE Entertainment, which took over the top spot in Distribution after placing second to DHX Media in 2016 and 2015. Meanwhile, Netflix (Netflix/DreamWorks’ Trollhunters pictured), The LEGO Group and YouTube Kids all held onto their number one positions in Broadcasting, Licensing and Digital Media categories, respectively. LEGO also managed to make the top-10 list in Digital Media, Distribution and Production.

The full 2017 Hot50 finalists are:

BROADCASTING
1.  Netflix

2.  PBS KIDS

3.  Nickelodeon

4.  Cartoon Network

5.  Amazon

6.  BBC Children’s

7.  Universal Kids/Sprout

8.  France Télévisions

9.  TVO Kids

10.  Disney Channel

PRODUCTION
1.  9 Story Media Group/Brown Bag Films

2.  Guru Studio

3.  Cartoon Network

4.  Sinking Ship Entertainment

5.  Entertainment One

6.  DHX Media

7.  JAM Media

8.  Sesame Workshop

9.  The LEGO Group

10.  The Fred Rogers Company

DISTRIBUTION

1.  CAKE Entertainment

2.  Sesame Workshop

3.  9 Story Media Group

4.  DHX Media

5.  Jetpack Distribution

6.  Entertainment One

7.  PGS Entertainment

8.  The LEGO Group

9.  Mattel Creations

10.  DreamWorks Distribution

LICENSING

1.  The LEGO Group

2.  Entertainment One

3.  Toca Boca

4.  Sesame Workshop

5.  Cartoon Network Enterprises

6.  DHX Media

7.  Moose Toys

8.  PBS KIDS

9.  Mattel

10.  Technicolor

DIGITAL MEDIA

1.  YouTube Kids

2.  PBS KIDS

3.  The LEGO Group

4.  National Geographic Kids

5.  Cartoon Network

6.  DHX Media

7.  Xilam Animation

8.  Sinking Ship Entertainment

9.  Hopster

10.  Toca Boca

The top-ranked companies from each category will be inducted into Kidscreen’s Hot50 Hall of Fame during the Kidscreen Awards ceremony, which will be held during Kidscreen Summit 2018 (taking place from February 12 to 15 in Miami, Florida.)

Additionally, all Hot50 companies will be showcased on a year-long dedicated microsite. A special Hot50 print issue will also be distributed with Kidscreen‘s February/March edition at Kidscreen Summit.