Common Sense Networks forms a board of directors, with former Nickelodeon president Geraldine Laybourne and former Sesame Workshop boss Gary Knell among the elected members

Common Sense Networks, the for-profit subsidiary of Common Sense Media, has formed a board of newly elected members, including veteran children’s media executives Geraldine Laybourne and Gary Knell.

CSN, which operates the streaming platform Sensical, was founded in 2020. It aims to help families navigate an increasingly complex digital media ecosystem while supporting brands and media companies in their efforts to connect with families.

Five other board members were elected along with Knell, former CEO of Sesame Workshop and National Geographic Partners, and Laybourne, former president of Nickelodeon and co-founder of Oxygen Media. The list includes Eric Berger, who founded and serves as CEO of Common Sense Networks; Mary Berner, president and CEO of Cumulus Media; Robert L. Miller, former Time Inc. veteran and president/CEO of Miller Publishing Group; investor and entrepreneur Robert S. Townsend; and James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media.

Led by Berger, the former head of Crackle, CSN used Common Sense Media’s proprietary column and content rating platform to build Sensical as an algorithm-free destination for viewers ages 2-10 and their families.

In an announcement, Berger called it “a privilege to work with this distinguished board of changemakers as we steer the next phase of Common Sense Networks evolution.” The growth strategy for CSN, he added, “is based on setting new standards for developers and marketers and leading to a radically different ecosystem that fosters children’s confidence and passion for learning.”

Knell, who serves as executive chairman and current advisor to Common Sense Media, said CSN has “created a thoughtful and much-needed business model that addresses the rapidly changing media landscape for children. I am proud to serve as President of this extraordinary group of leaders .” to be elected and look forward to taking the work of this truly important organization to the next level.”

Laybourne, who helped grow Nickelodeon from a fledgling cable television provider to a multibillion-dollar home for a number of iconic family properties, said CSN’s performance was “refreshing,” especially Sensical. She said the streaming channel is “a service that doesn’t give up on kids and should be the role model for the industry.”