Image copyright DreamWorks Animation Image caption King Julien will host the three-minute video, which can be played whenever parents choose

Netflix is giving exhausted parents the chance to let their children celebrate the start of 2015 a few hours early.

The video streaming service has created a faux three-minute New Year's Eve countdown, which can be played at anytime before midnight.

The countdown is hosted by King Julien, an animated lemur from the Madagascar film franchise.

Already 34% of parents announce the new year ahead of time, according to a US survey.

The study, carried out by Netflix and Wakefield Research, also showed that 87% of parents will celebrate New Year's Eve with their children.

The video sees King Julien announce that he has "changed the rules" to allow children to join in the celebrations.

"Move over, Ryan Seacrest, I've got my very own on-demand countdown party on Netflix," King Julien "said" in a statement released by Netflix.

The lemur is voiced by Danny Jacobs, replacing Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen, who plays the character on the big screen.

Jacobs continues in the role on the animated series All Hail King Julien, which is one of several ventures Netflix is producing in conjunction with DreamWorks Animation.