Maker Studios Gets Its Own TV Series On ABC Family

As Disney continues to integrate Maker Studios with its other owned properties, it is giving the prominent multi-channel network its own place on TV. Maker will spotlight its up-and-coming creative partners with a docu-series tentatively titled I Am Maker that will air on Disney’s ABC Family channel.

I Am Maker is part of ABC Family’s upcoming slate, which the cable channel revealed to advertisers during its yearly upfront presentation. On the show, which is produced by World of Wonder (RuPaul’s Drag Race), well-established Maker Studios partners will work with aspiring creators to help them reach wide audiences. Information shared by Variety claims the show is “inspired by the true roots of Maker Studios.” The network’s founders include a number of YouTube stars, including Shay Carl and Kassem G.

Disney purchased Maker Studios in March 2014

for a base price of $500 million; the price tag can go as high as $950 million if certain performance targets are hit. Since the purchase, Disney has enlisted Maker’s roster of creative partners for its own projects. For example, Maker partners led the #DisneySide All-Star Creator Conference, which took over Disney World in January 2015.

I Am Maker continues a trend of TV shows led by multi-channel networks. AwesomenessTV enlisted its network for an eponymous show on Nickelodeon, and Jukin Media brought FailArmy’s library of viral video clips to FOX with World’s Funniest Fails.

ABC Family, which teased six upcoming programs during its upfront presentation, did not reveal a specific date for I Am Maker.