Brat TV looks to reach Gen Z horror fans with acquisition of Crypt TV

Brat TV‘s latest acquisition will give it a foothold in the horror genre. The Gen Z-oriented media company, which produces shows like Chicken Girls and Attaway General, has acquired scare-oriented content producer Crypt TV.

News of the acquisition comes from Deadline, which did not disclose any financial details from the transaction. Brat plans to relaunch Crypt’s digital channels, which will be stocked with original, creator-driven series. Crypt’s founding team will continue to develop projects for film and TV. The spooky media company’s leaders include CEO Jack Davis, gore master Eli Roth, and film producer Darren Brandl.

Brat and Crypt have several similarities. Both digital media companies launched in the mid-2010s, and they have both built franchises out of original shows and characters. Chicken Girls, which began as the story of the titular high school clique, has since evolved into a multimedia enterprise that spans podcasts, books, and sequel series.

Crypt’s properties are based around creepy characters like The Look-See and The Birch, who have pulled in millions of views on digital platforms like YouTube. 2023 projects in Crypt’s portfolio include the feature film Angry Black Girl and Her Monster, which premiered at SXSW, and the Roth-directed Vanessa Hudgens 

vehicle Trick VR Treat. As its name implies, that film is designed for viewership on virtual reality devices; it was developed out of a partnership between Crypt and Meta.

Investors who have backed Crypt include the buzzy horror studio Blumhouse Productions and Lerer Hippeau Ventures. Post-acquisition, those firms will join Brat’s investor base.

With new funding in its coffers and scary projects on the horizon, Brat is continuing to grow. The company led by CEO Rob Fishman used the acquisition of Jemi to expand its presence in the ecommerce world. Future moves could bring more resources to Beeline, Brat’s influencer marketing arm. But for now, Fishman is excited to relaunch Crypt’s channels and “re-engage their millions of fans.”

“Brat TV’s robust digital reach and relationships with creators will allow Crypt to get back to its roots,” Davis added in a statement. “I’m excited to continue developing and showcasing Crypt’s IP, as well as Brat TV’s extensive library, for TV and film.”

Brat’s flagship YouTube channel arrived in 2016. The relaunch of Crypt’s digital hubs is slated for this year.