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Parents and fans of a popular children’s Netflix show have expressed outrage after the streaming giant axed the program.
The beloved animated series Octonauts, which aims to teach its young viewers about marine biology, will leave Netflix in May in every country where it is currently streamed.
The BBC-produced series has become a staple children’s show since its inception in 2010.
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Octonauts’ exit from Netflix is part of the streamer’s constant rotation of its content catalogue as licences shift.
The show will remain available to watch on Amazon Prime Video and BBC’s iPlayer.
Parents and fans of the show have taken to social media to express their disappointment.
“Can’t believe Octonauts is disappearing from Netflix on Wednesday. Our family will be bereft,” one said.
“Dear Netflix, Please do not remove Octonauts! It is our kids’ favourite! It is the reason we started with Netflix. Our girls love Octonauts!” wrote a second.
“They’re taking Octonauts off Netflix and my four-year-old is losing her mind,” a parent shared.
“Netflix, if you let this happen then you’ve just made an enemy for life,” another said.
A petition has also begun on Change.org, lobbying Netflix for the show to remain; it has more than 930 signatures.
Among the show’s many fans are Khloe Kardashian and her two children True and Tatum Thompson.
The family dressed as Octonauts for Halloween in 2023.
Octonauts follows a team of undersea explorers who are always ready to jump into action and explore underwater worlds.
The group is led by Captain Barnacles the bear, and also includes Kwazii the kitten, Peso the penguin, Dr Shellington the sea otter, Dashi the dog, Tweak the bunny, Professor Inkling the octopus and Tunip the “vegimal” (half vegetable, half animal).