Endemol Beyond delivered the final presentation of the 2015 Newfronts, and as with many of the events that came before it, Endemol’s pitch hit on a number of new services and series. In particularly, the multi-channel network run by Endemol Shine North America will debut two new verticals: Looksy, which will deliver pop culture videos, and Smasher, which will focus on sports and gaming content.
The two new verticals will join Icon, a lifestyle hub Endemol Beyond launched alongside star partner Michelle Phan. Both Looksy and Smasher will spotlight creators from within the Endemol MCN as well. Looksy’s slate includes Bad Girl, a prank series starring Brittany Furlan; on Smasher, PrankVsPrank co-star Jesse Wellens will lead a series called Rule’m Sports, in which he will extend challenges to star athletes. Smasher will also be the home of Legends of Gaming, which will be hosted by YouTube star Toby Turner.
Endemol Beyond’s slate also features a number of partners known for their work in traditional media. A pair of writers/producers from The Office will pen a scripted series called Neurotica, while pop star Pitbull will continue his partnership with Endemol through a pair of new shows.
Subscribe for daily Tubefilter Top Stories
“Thanks to the astonishing draw of Michelle Phan and all of our terrific talent partners, we’ve successfully launched ICON as the first global premium lifestyle network,” said Endemol Beyond President Will Keenan. “We are now thrilled to add two new digital-first networks, expanding Endemol Beyond USA’s programming reach into sports, gaming and pop culture with some of the biggest names in the business.”
Here, via a release, are descriptions of the programs Endemol Beyond announced:
Masterclass is an original series about living life to the fullest and not being afraid of trying new things. The series features male and female hosts getting schooled by experts in a wide-range of fields including welding, surviving in the wilderness, knife-making and dancing. “Pitbull Presents” introduces the audience to people who play a profound role in Pitbull’s everyday life including a chef, an audio engineer, a “b-boy” dancer, an artist and more.
Neurotica This comedic scripted series is from Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, writers/producers of “The Office,” HBO’s “Hello Ladies” and the hit film “Bad Teacher” with Cameron Diaz. Mitchell Kraut is a twentysomething whose search for love is constantly sabotaged by his own warped yet well-meaning mind.
True Internet Tales is executive produced by Emmy-nominated E! True Hollywood Story producer Michael Lynn, “True Internet Tales” investigates the real stories behind some of the Internet’s most popular personalities, viral videos, and memes.
Bad Girl – Using outrageous disguises and the latest hidden camera technology, superstar Brittany Furlan will go back to her prankster roots and revisit the wacky style of her early iconic Vine videos.
Deep Insider – Featuring digital influencers and traditional media stars, this series gives first-person accounts of celebrity encounters, pop culture trends and current events in a new-style talk show for the digital age.
Legends of Gaming – Star-gamers in this U.S. adaptation of the winning UK-born format face aspiring challengers chosen from the YouTube community by popular vote. Hosted by YouTube and gaming star Toby Turner.
Rule’m Sports – As with its successful UK counterpart starring YouTube sensation KSI, this North American adaptation led by YouTube star Jesse Wellens (“PrankvsPrank”), follows a popular digital hero from this side of the pond as he challenges star-athletes to amazing feats of sporting prowess.
Offsides – In the perfect companion to Rule’m Sports, a top YouTube prankster conspires to prank celebrity athletes. One Prankster. Endless Athletes. Epic Humor.
Milonakis 2.0 – A reboot of Andy Milonakis’s hit MTV show, the digital series features a variety of irreverent sketches, man-on-the-street segments and music videos starring Andy and his many special guests.
Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Endemol Shine Group
