FilmRise to elevate YouTubers beyond digital

AVOD network FilmRise has inked a deal with Dallas-based talent agency Night Media to move its roster of creators beyond YouTube and onto streaming and broadcast platforms.

FilmRise will distribute the YouTube videos from Night Media’s clients, which include gamer and comedian MrBeast (pictured, 51.4 million subscribers), gamer Preston (15.7 million subscribers) and vlogger AzzyLand (13.3 million subscribers). The AVOD network will start by distributing videos from MrBeast and Preston in the spring.

Based in New York, FilmRise began its move into kid-friendly content last November, when it acquired worldwide distribution rights to Lilly Light Production’s live-action musical Lilly’s Light: The Movie.

OTT platforms and streaming services are increasingly looking for digital-first gaming content, and FilmRise isn’t the first to try and meet this demand. Last year, digital gaming channel network Omnia Media began distributing videos from its existing content partners to streaming services after seeing a 40% to 50% increase in viewership across its kids gaming content. Smart TV maker Vizio also added a dozen kids streaming channels to its SmartCast platforms, including Kid Gamer TV and Tankee Gaming.