OAKLAND, CALIF. (AP) — Four members of a reality show camera crew were robbed in Oakland by thieves who put guns to their heads and took $50,000 in equipment. The head of […]
Brian Robbins, the co-founder and chief executive of teen-focused online video network AwesomenessTV, is leaving the company after five years, he told staff Wednesday. Robbins did not cite a reason for his exit.
Another ambitious premium content digital venture that had brought in top-level TV executives is folding before launch. Verizon and AwesomenessTV have scrapped plans for their announced premium content service, with Samie Falvey, chief creative officer, leaving and her team, led by creative SVP Russell Rothberg, disbanded.
AwesomenessTV and Verizon have tapped longtime ABC comedy development executive Samie Falvey as chief content officer. In her new role at the as-yet unnamed premium content service, Falvey will oversee all content and creative, including programming, development and production.
Verizon Communications has made a deal to become a new equity partner in AwesomenessTV, the popular YouTube original video multichannel network — a pact that will also boost its new premium mobile video service. Verizon has bought a 24.5% stake in the company — making it an equal partner with Hearst, which will own exactly the same 24.5% stake.
Exclusives
YouTube announced on Tuesday that it is collaborating with the DreamWorks Animation-owned YouTube network AwesomenessTV to release several feature-length films over the next two years. The Google-owned video platform said the films, which will feature digital stars, will be produced by Brian Robbins, chief executive and founder of AwesomenessTV.
The $81.3 million deal is the latest to underscore the growing popularity of Internet video services. Glendale-based DreamWorks bought AwesomenessTV, or ATV, at a price that could exceed $100 million if certain financial targets are reached. Just 19 months later, Awesomeness TV has now been valued at $325 million, based on Hearst’s investment.
