Rumors are circling the web television and online video scene that HBO’s Runaway Box, the online comedy production outfit known for Elevator, Man in the Box and YouTube celeb-laden Hooking Up along with other web series, has been acquired. Sources close to the situation confirm that an acquisition has gone forward, with March 1st being the official transition date. The buyer is said to be a well known company in the web video community.
The move follows what we’ve heard to be a shift towards higher-end digital content for HBO, keeping with the network’s strategy as a premium entertainment brand. The comedy veterans, led by Woody Tondorf, Andrew Zilch and Mike Polk at Runaway Box were quick to find a new home however especially after netting an impressive 25 million views for their series, according to video analytics firm TubeMogul. It’s not known whether HBOlab director Danila Koverman will be heading out with the Runaway Box team.
Thoughts on who might be the lucky buyer? Our short list for best guesses include Atom, Crackle, Comedy.com or 60Frames.
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Not much word out of the Runaway Box crew on this, other than a recession-themed video that went up today called “Runaway Box is Broke.”
