Vobble: Shaping a Screen-Free Future for Kids through Audio Content
Neha Sharma and Sowmya Jagannath have embarked on a mission to transform the digital landscape for children aged 4-10 with their innovative audio OTT platform, Vobble. Launched in 2022, this platform is filled with a diverse array of audio content, including enchanting stories, engaging game shows, foot-tapping music, and interactive activities. As more and more parents seek alternatives to excessive screen time, Vobble is not only capturing the imagination of young minds but also reducing their reliance on traditional screen-based entertainment.
Myra, a four-year-old, provides a heartwarming testament to the impact of Vobble. She can be found with her headphones on, fully absorbed in the enchanting audio stories, as she simultaneously brings the narratives to life through her coloring. Witnessing this, her mother, Japnit Kaur, is reassured that Vobble is the perfect choice for her child. Myra has been a devoted user of Vobble for the past two months, eagerly looking forward to her daily dose of stories and activities. Kaur notes that this has significantly reduced the time her daughter spends on the phone or other video platforms.
Neha Sharma and Sowmya Jagannath initiated Vobble to address the concerns of parents like Kaur. The primary goal of this platform is to divert children’s attention from screens to sound, fostering their creativity and imagination. After a year of product development and gathering valuable feedback, the Bengaluru-based company has seen remarkable growth, boasting 200 subscribers and revenue of Rs 6 lakh since August. Vobble’s content library spans over 1,000 minutes, making it a treasure trove of captivating audio experiences for kids.
Vobble’s content strategy is dynamic and constantly evolving. Each month, the platform introduces 250 minutes of original, in-house content and an additional 250-300 minutes from esteemed publications like Harper Collins India, Amar Chitra Katha, Scholastic Tulika, and others. These publications are fairly compensated, with arrangements that may include revenue sharing or reciprocal content creation. The platform prides itself on offering age-appropriate content, which is meticulously curated by a panel of experts. Every piece of content clearly specifies the suitable age group, ensuring that children receive content tailored to their developmental stage.
To enhance authenticity and reliability, Vobble records audio stories narrated by children themselves. This unique approach not only enriches the content but also allows parents to enjoy a sense of pride and accomplishment as their children’s voices fill the platform. Parents are even offered monetary compensation or Vobble hampers as a token of appreciation. This initiative has garnered immense enthusiasm from parents and young storytellers alike.
Madhumitha Subramanian, mother of six-year-old Kanna, shares her daughter’s delightful experience with voice acting through Vobble. Kanna thoroughly enjoyed the process, from preparing for the recording session to interacting with the technicians and using the recording equipment. Subramanian observes that her daughter eagerly awaits more Vobble sessions, relishing the opportunity to hear her stories on the platform repeatedly. As a Vobble customer, she commends the platform’s engaging content and top-notch audio experience, making it an ideal companion for long car rides.
The content on Vobble is thoughtfully designed to be concise, with a maximum duration of 10 minutes. This brevity is intended to capture and maintain children’s interest and engagement. Furthermore, it has been observed that as children regularly engage with audio content, their attention spans naturally improve. As a result, Vobble may consider increasing the duration of its content to cater to evolving needs.
Vobble offers a comprehensive starter pack priced at Rs 3,500. This package includes a parent-controlled app with six months of free audio content, kid-friendly headphones with volume limiters set at 90 dB for safe listening, and two activity books. In response to concerns about the cost, parents like Japnit Kaur, who have been using Vobble for two months, now acknowledge the value it provides, considering it a worthwhile investment. The platform is also planning to introduce a more affordable three-month subscription package soon.
Vobble has already secured $400,000 in funding from the Blume Founders Fund, US and India-based tech angel founders, and friends and family. With the aspiration of expanding its user base, Vobble intends to introduce both general and box subscriptions in the coming months. The founders’ vision includes reaching 10,000 households and acquiring more than 100,000 subscribers by the end of 2024. Neha Sharma highlights, “Audio content offers a valuable solution to reduce a child’s screen time while nurturing creativity and sparking curiosity, and Vobble precisely aims to achieve this.”
Re-reported from the article originally published in The Yourstory
