Numberblocks Youtube Channel hits 10 million Subscribers: Reflections from Oli Hyatt, MD of Alphablocks and Blue Zoo
I don’t think any of us could have imagined just how much Numberblocks would change the landscape of early childhood education when we first started this journey. When Joe Elliot, the creator of Numberblocks, came to us with the idea, we knew it had potential. But to say that we’ve 10 million subscribers right around the world on one channel (23 million subscribers across all blocks Channels)! That’s something beyond all of our wildest expectations. And now, with over 45 million views a day across our content, it’s clear that the power of this show goes far beyond simply education or entertainment.
At Blue Zoo Animation Studio, we’re immensely proud of what we’ve built with the Blocks brand, from Numberblocks to Alphablocks and Colourblocks. These shows are now an integral part of how children learn in classrooms and at home, with 96% of US teachers recommending using our programming in their lessons. When I hear stories from teachers and parents, it really hits home just how impactful this work has been. There’s one particular story that sticks with me — the mum of the youngest child ever to be admitted to MENSA credited Numberblocks as the reason her child was so advanced in mathematics. Equally, we get inundated with stories of how children with additional needs benefit, often saying or spelling their first words with Alphablocks, or as my wife has found out to her annoyance children identifying Magenta is not Pink and Cyan is not Blue, its always a joy to be corrected by your own children!
But none of this would have been possible without an incredible team. The fantastic teams at Blue Zoo Digital, led by Stephanie Gauld, have worked tirelessly to ensure the quality of our digital content remains top-notch, and they’ve helped grow the Blocks brand into something truly global. The apps and licensed products we’ve developed are now reaching homes and schools around the world, helping kids engage with our content in ways we couldn’t have dreamed of a few years ago.
Blue Zoo is a B-Corp company, which is incredibly important to me. We firmly believe that animation can be a force for good, and we want to lead by example in this space. Numberblocks proves that meaningful, high-quality content can have a real, positive impact on the world. We’ve always aimed to inspire curiosity and foster learning, and with Numberblocks, we feel we’re truly doing that.
However, none of this would have been possible without a strong BBC. I can’t stress enough how crucial the BBC has been as our partner on the Blocks brand (big shout out to our Incredible BBC Exec Joel Wilenius). The BBC's support and funding has allowed us to create and grow these shows, reaching millions of kids globally. But with that said, I do worry about the ongoing cuts to the BBC’s children’s programming budgets and teams. Shows like Numberblocks would never have come to life without the BBC’s commitment to quality content. The slow and painful drip of cuts is not just a financial issue — it’s something that threatens the future of innovative children’s content across the board.
There’s so much more at stake here than just entertainment. The BBC has always stood for educational excellence, and we’re proud to be a part of that legacy. But we need to remind everyone of the bigger picture — that we could lose more than we gain by reducing funding for children’s programming and the BBC in general. I was proud to be on the license fee committee project to champion children's content. However, with a new government, that process is potentially paused permanently. It's hard to understand where the government has got to or where we will go from here.
As I reflect on how far we’ve come, I can’t help but feel excited about what the future holds. We’re only just beginning to see the global impact Numberblocks can have, and I truly believe the best is yet to come. Through the combined efforts of the incredible creatives, educators, and supporters who’ve made this all possible, we’re opening up a world of opportunities for kids everywhere. This is what makes it all worth it — knowing that, together, we’re shaping the next generation of learners, one block at a time.