Bad news this week for studios that have thrown their full weight behind gen-AI: young people hate it, apparently—and they only loathe it more as time goes on. A new study found that Gen Alpha and Gen Z were the demo turning most quickly against AI in film and TV, especially when the tech is used to replace human creators or actors. Time will tell if this is a permanent trend—it’s only one study, and the tide may turn again as viewers adjust as the tech improves—but for now, the winners may be the studios that have clung to doing things the old-fashioned way.

And now, this week’s other big winners: 

9 Story and Scholastic: What’s nostalgic, greenlit and red all over? 9 Story and Scholastic shared a tail-wagging confirmation this week of a new Clifford series with not one, not two, but three big broadcasters on board—PBS KIDS (US), CBC (Canada) and Sky Kids (UK). It’ll be one of their first collabs to come out since Scholastic acquired economic interest in 9 Story, and it’s a great project to get the ball rolling for the many other book adaptations we know they’ve been cooking up. Clifford seems well-positioned to be a hit: his fans are both multi-generational and global. Plus, the new toon will lean more into the comedy of it all, which could mean a lot more buyers will want to follow these giant paw prints.

Steven Ekstract: Are you sick of hearing again and again over the last few years about how anime and manga are taking over? Well now there’s finally a market on the way to help companies do something about it. Licensing maven Steven Ekstract is partnering with the Anime NYC convention with the X-citing idea to host an X Tracks Licensing Summit during the fan-favorite event. The summit is meant to help the industry wrap its arms around trends like anime, manga and K-pop music. It’s already attracted some familiar names like VIZ Media, Striker Entertainment and BioWorld, which will be looking to network and sign new licensing deals. But don’t worry—it’s a B2B-only event, so you don’t have to talk shop in front of throngs of cosplaying fans.

Netflix (and Greta Gerwig): Oh, Netflix, we knew you’d come around. After years of not budging on cinemas beyond limited screenings, you’re finally taking the plunge with a wide, global theatrical release. We’re talking 49 days between the IMAX previews and the streaming launch for Greta Gerwig’s Narnia prequel, now due in 2027. It’s a proud moment for Gerwig in particular, who has long been a major force behind the scenes advocating for Netflix’s big-screen commitment. Maybe it was inevitable that Netflix would eventually turn to theatrical to keep growing—how many more potential subscribers are there on Earth for the world’s biggest SVOD? Plus, chipping away at the streamer’s anti-theatrical reputation will also mean more brownie points from cinema-loving creatives in the biz. The news has already earned cheers from exhibitors and the industry at large. Who knew all it would take was a lion, a witch, a wardrobe…and Gerwig’s power of persuasion?

Roblox: Sure, every quarter is a stellar quarter for this gaming giant, and this go-round was no exception—its user base keeps growing and its revenue was up 39% to US$1.7 billion. But Roblox isn’t getting complacent about its success. The company teased that it’s working on an AI-powered system called Roblox Reality aimed at helping creators make photorealistic games—an evolution that would move the platform away from its traditional blocky (some would say ugly) art style. Add to that a new subscription and its recent addition of safety-focused Kids and Select accounts, and the platform is clearly doing a lot to try and future-proof its business for many quarters to come. 

So who had the best week in the bunch? Vote before 8 a.m. ET on Monday to let us know what you think:

Want to pitch us a Gold Star nomination? Send an email to submissions@kidscreen.com by noon on Thursdays. And check back every Friday for our next batch of nominees. Hope to see you on the list!