Spotify wants to create a “playground of sound” for younger listeners with the introduction of its new standalone app Spotify Kids, intended for children as young as 3.

The content will be licensed from brands including Nickelodeon, Disney, Discovery Kids, and Universal Pictures, as well as Sweden’s Public Service and the family-focused audio streaming service BookBeat.

The Spotify Kids app is currently in beta mode in Ireland, though the company plans to roll out the app in all markets that have Premium Family in the coming months. The initial launch includes 80 playlists and more than 6,000 songs. Content on the new app is ad-free and handpicked by a team of editors. Each child will be able to select a custom avatar and color theme.

The Spotify Kids app will include separate segments of content for children of different ages. “Audio for Younger Kids” will feature lullabies and singalong content, while “Audio for Old Kids” will include popular songs (excluding explicit content).

The Spotify Kids app will be available for Spotify Premium Family subscribers at no additional charge for iOS or Android devices.

George Strait Receives the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment. Pictured (L-R): Major Drew Dix, Sgt. Leroy Petry and George Strait. Photo: Ryan Johnson for the Medal of Honor Society.

George Strait was recognized last Friday, Oct. 25, at the Medal of Honor Convention’s Patriot Award Gala with the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment, which honors entertainers who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to the U.S. military through film, literature or music.

The Bob Hope Award was established in 2003 by President George W. Bush, in commemoration of Hope’s 100th birthday. Past recipients of the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment include Tom Selleck, Jon Voight, Trace Adkins, Billy Ray Cyrus, the Oak Ridge Boys, and more.

Strait’s Vaqueros del Mar Golf Tournament Raised Over $2.2 Million for Feherty’s Troops First Foundation. Pictured (L-R): Tom Cusick, David Feherty, Srgt. Major Tom Capel, Ed Garahan, George Strait. Photo: Terry Calong

Following the live airing of the music special CMT Artists of the Year on Oct. 16, the show saw a 108% year-over-year growth among younger viewers, age 18-34 (live + same day).

Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett were honored as 2019’s CMT Artists of the Year, while Ashley McBryde was celebrated as Breakout Artist of the Year and Reba McEntire feted as Artist of a Lifetime.

Certain songs featured during the 90-minute special saw an uptick in sales and streaming. Chris Young‘s “Drowning” saw an increase of 103% in sales and a 24% uptick in streaming; Young dedicated his performance of the song that evening to Kane Brown’s drummer Kenny Dixon, who passed away in a car crash just days before the CMT Artists of the Year show aired.

McEntire’s “Is There Life Out There,” which Lady Antebellum performed during the show, saw a 50% uptick in sales following the show’s airing, and an 18% increase in streaming. McEntire’s “Fancy,” which Sam Hunt performed during the show, saw a streaming increase of 9%. McBryde performed her new single “One Night Standards,” earning a 9% increase in sales and a 14% increase in streaming. Fellow honoree Underwood saw sales of her hit “Blown Away” increase 31% and “Two Black Cadillacs” increase 15% (streams for “Cadillac” increased by 4%); Underwood performed a medley of both songs via livestream from a tour stop in Cleveland, Ohio, on her Cry Pretty Tour 360 that evening.

CMT Artists of the Year was also the No. 1 most social show on cable that evening (excluding sports and news), with year-over-year growth of 277% in social video views, as well as 301% growth in social engagements.

“We are thrilled this year’s celebration connected with our audience across all mediums and proud it generated the most social views and engagements on CMT channels in tentpole history!” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music Strategy & Talent at CMT. “It truly shows country music transcending age and screens, and how the healing power of music and resilience in our community continues to resonate with all.”

The 53rd Annual CMA Awards has announced more superstar pairings for the upcoming show, including performances and collaborations by Garth Brooks with Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn with Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves with Willie Nelson, Lady Antebellum and Halsey, Old Dominion, and Thomas Rhett.

Country Music’s Biggest Night, hosted by Carrie Underwood with special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8/7c on ABC.

Previously announced performers include Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Dolly Parton with for KING & COUNTRY and Zach Williams, P!NK and Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. Additional performers and presenters will be revealed in the coming weeks.