Nearly a year-and-a-half after acquiring Maker Studios, Disney is still figuring out new ways to leverage its relationship with its proprietary digital media network. The latest partnership between the two brands is Disney XD by Maker, a talent search that will combine Maker’s creative partners with Disney’s resources.
The goal of Disney XD by Maker is to find content creators who can produce winning shows to be distributed across Disney XD’s network, which spans digital, mobile, and TV. According to a press release from Disney, “the best of the best may also be developed further into television pilots for Disney XD.” The Disney XD TV channel, which is available in more than 80 million households, is an offshoot of Disney’s primary television hub.
Maker has already announced several partners who will work on projects created specifically for Disney XD by Maker. That group includes gamer CaptainSparklez, Hispanic vloggers Luzu and Lana, and toy unboxer EvanTubeHD. “We’re truly excited to build this bridge between TV and digital in alliance with two of the most respected names from those worlds,” said Jared, the father of EvanTubeHD, in a statement.
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Disney XD has worked with digital video stars on previous projects. Earlier this year, it premiered Two More Eggs, a series of short animations engineered by The Brothers Chaps, best known as the creators of the beloved web cartoon Homestar Runner.
The announcement of Disney XD by Maker comes at a critical point in the two companies’ relationship. As Recode recently reported, Disney will deliver its payouts for the Maker deal at the end of the year, and if the payouts result in the departure of top Maker execs, as is rumored to be a possibility, a tighter partnership between the companies could help guide them through an uneven period. We’re looking forward to seeing what projects come out of the Disney XD by Maker initiative–and whether any of them make it to TV.
