Netflix Helps Parents “Fool” Their Kids On New Year’s Eve

This year, Netflix has my back. I’m one of the 34% of parents* who trick their children into thinking that the New Year is at a time other than midnight. In years past, we’ve run down to wherever the assembled group of kids are playing and feigned that we’ve been having such a good time, that time has flown by and it’s “magically” midnight. Throwing confetti pell-mell lacked the pomp and circumstance of the grown-up celebration a few hours later, and this year, that’s where Netflix comes in.

To help parents in their time-shifting ruse, Netflix has created an on demand countdown hosted by King Julien, the animated lemur from the Madagascar movie franchise and the new Netflix / DreamWorks Animation series, All Hail King Julien. King Julien invites all of his little buddies to raise their hands in the air, and wave them like they just don’t care, a mantra that the King lives by.

“I was totally bummed when I heard that some of my favorite little party people aren’t allowed to stay up until midnight for the biggest party of the year.”” said King Julien, King of the Lemurs. “”But then I realized I’’m king, I make the rules! So move over, Ryan Seacrest, I’’ve got my very own on-demand countdown party on Netflix. That means the New Year’s Eve party is always on – just how it should be! What better way to ring in Julien-uary?””

The three-minute New Year’s Eve countdown will be available in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, UK, Ireland, the Nordics, the Netherlands and France and includes high-energy music and features many of the adorable dancing lemurs (including Mort!) from the series All Hail King Julien. Now any time can be party time (and shortly thereafter, bedtime)!

All Hail King Julien premiered on Netflix and released its first 5 episodes on Dec. 19.

“*34% is a combination of parents who have celebrated in the past or who plan to celebrate New Year’’s Eve early with kids this year, according to a Wakefield Survey conducted on behalf of Netflix.

images © 2014 DreamWorks Animation LLC/ Netflix.