Blue Ant Media And World Of Wonder Expand Partnership With Launch Of New FAST Channel, Drag Race Universe

International producer, distributor and channel operator, Blue Ant Media and global, multi-platform media company World of Wonder rolled out the U.S. launch of Drag Race Universe, a new FAST (free, ad-supported streaming) channel, available now on VizioO WatchFree+, VizioIZIO’s free streaming service. The channel offers U.S. audiences global versions of World of Wonder’s Emmy-winning Drag Race series. With nine international franchises and a bevy of spin-offs celebrating drag culture, Drag Race Universe brings a constant pipeline of new seasons and drag-related programming. Additional platforms carrying Drag Race Universe will be announced in the coming months.

The deal represents the expansion of the two companies’ ongoing partnership that sees Blue Ant Media producing Canada’s Drag Race and Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. the World for World of Wonder, in association with Crave in Canada.

“Drag Race Universe expands Blue Ant Media’s partnership with World of Wonder and offers a curated line-up of international Drag Race hits to U.S. audiences available for the first time on a free streaming channel,” says Jamie Schouela, president, global channels and media, Blue Ant Media. “Debuting first on Vizio WatchFree+ is an opportunity to leverage the platform’s exceptional reach and grow excitement for this iconic franchise among devoted fans and new audiences.”

“It’s a brave new world in media, and we’re excited to launch Drag Race Universe and expand our partnership with Blue Ant Media,” say World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. “Drag Race Universe is an idea whose time has come; with over 400 queens, 24 international versions and counting, this new FAST channel will build on the major success we’ve already had with WOW Presents Plus in the Direct to Consumer space.”

Vizio audiences can find Drag Race Universe on ch. 325 of the Vizio WatchFree+ app, available on Vizio SmartCast TVs.

“Vizio is proud to be the first to bring Drag Race Universe to U.S. audiences,” says Greg Barnard, director of content acquisitions at Vizio. “Drag Race Universe joins Blue Ant Media favorites like Love Nature, Total Crime and Haunt TV on Vizio WatchFree+ and allows us to expand our diverse entertainment programming for millions of Vizio users.”

Created by World of Wonder, the Drag Race franchise is an Emmy Award-winning competition series that has become a worldwide phenomenon, bringing the art of drag to the mainstream. Drag queens from all around the world have put their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent to the test in the search for the coveted title of Next Drag Superstar.

Blue Ant Media’s suite of FAST channels offer audiences curated programming that’s free to access on platforms including Tubi, Freevee, Vizio WatchFree+, The Roku Channel, Xumo, Samsung TV Plus and VIX. The company’s growing global portfolio of FAST channels include Love Nature, HauntTV, Total Crime, Homeful and HistoryTime.