Whistle To Launch Social Video Network In Collaboration With Survivalist Host Bear Grylls

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Team Whistle — the digital network that comprises its eponymous studio, New Form, marketing service firm Tiny Horse, and mobile-first studio Vertical Networks — announced at its NewFronts presentation today the formation of the Bear Grylls Digital Network.

The venture, bowing this fall, will produce digitally native shows starring Grylls — a British adventurer known for his survivalist content — and marks a partnership between Whistle, French production company Banijay Group, and The Natural Studios. In addition to shows featuring Grylls, the network will also produce brand-safe, outdoor lifestyle, and adventure programming starring Whistle talent. Series will be distributed globally across Bear’s social channels, including YouTube, Snap, Instagram, and Facebook

“This is about giving people access to the coolest tips and tricks of survival, as well as a look behind-the-scenes of my adventures, my life, and my friends,” Grylls said in a statement. “Ultimately, we want to empower people to be able to survive and thrive in the wild and in life.”

In addition, Whistle has announced today the relaunch of its Snapchat Discover channel, Brother, a young male-focused hub with 22 million subscribers that creates content around comedy, education, culture, and dating. The rebrand will comprise new shows like Meet The Pets (featuring celebrity pets) and Get Out Of My Kitchen (a celebrity cooking competition), and will reach beyond Snapchat to build a presence on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and via podcasts.

Whistle, which creates short-form content on social media as well as scripted and unscripted long-form programming, says that it has seen viewership skyrocket in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic. The past six weeks have marked the company’s six highest weeks of overall viewership of all time.

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