LOS ANGELES, CA, JUNE 25, 2020 — YouTube today announced new and returning projects at the ninth-annual digital newfront and first-ever digital personalized event, Brandcast Delivered. Among the highlights: a new four-part docuseries following Demi Lovato as she continues her personal and musical journey; and renewals of popular YouTube Originals “Instant Influencer with James Charles,” “The Creator Games Presented by MrBeast,” “A Heist With Markiplier,” and “Retro Tech.” For more details on Brandcast Delivered, see blog post here.
Below are the upcoming new and returning YouTube Originals announced today (watch Kyncl’s presentation here):
Untitled Demi Lovato Project
YouTube is partnering with Demi Lovato on a four-part docuseries, a follow up to the 2017 YouTube Originals documentary, “Simply Complicated.” The series will follow Lovato returning to show fans her personal and musical journey over the past three years. More details to be revealed soon. The series is directed by Michael D. Ratner and produced by OBB Pictures.
Instant Influencer with James Charles
Following the breakout first season, which hit over 53 million views in its first month alone, YouTube has ordered a second season of “Instant Influencer with James Charles.” In season one of YouTube’s first-ever beauty influencer competition series, contestants put their best makeup artistry, camera presence, and selling power on display for host, James Charles, and a mix of celebrity guest judges and well-seasoned beauty industry veterans including Norvina, Paris Hilton, and Trixie Mattel. The series is produced by Brian Graden Media.
The Creator Games Presented by MrBeast
On the heels of one of YouTube Originals’ most-watched live events to date, the platform has greenlit a second installment of “The Creator Games Presented by MrBeast.” This first-of-its-kind virtual livestream featured 32 of YouTube’s top creators including iJustine, Marques Brownlee and Jack Black. Hosted by MrBeast (37M Subscribers), the initial Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament raised over $1 million for COVID-19-related charitable organizations. The first installment of “The Creator Games Presented by MrBeast” was produced by Night Media and Fly on the Wall Productions.
Untitled Project With Markiplier
YouTube Originals has ordered another interactive special with YouTube Creator Markiplier (26M Subscribers). The new project follows the successful interactive special “A Heist With Markiplier” that allowed viewers to control their favorite YouTube Gamer’s life-or-death decisions in a classic museum heist and currently has over 18 million views. The interactive film is produced by Markiplier and Rooster Teeth Studios. Executive Producers Include Mark Fischbach, Matt Hullum, Will Hyde, and Ryan P. Hall
Retro Tech
YouTube Originals has ordered a second season of the Emmy nominated series “Retro Tech” starring YouTube Creator Marques Brownlee (11.4M Subscribers). Each episode of the first season featured Marques examining a different nostalgic product – many of which he had never used – exploring the history, impact on society, and how each product defined pop culture and changed the world as we know it. In season two, Marques will explore the technological promises of the past. Futurists predicted that the tech of today would surround us with flying cars, robot maids, and teleportation. While some of these predictions are still sci-fi, others like mobile video calls, virtual reality, and even A.I. and quantum computers are quickly becoming a part of daily life. Marques will unravel these retro tech promises to see just how close we’ve come in 2020 and the direction revolutionary tech is headed next. “Retro Tech” is executive produced by Nick Budabin, Marty Moe and Chad Mumm for Vox Media Studios. Rachael Knudsen, Mark W. Olsen and Dana J. Olkkonen are co-executive producers for Vox Media Studios.
UHC: Ultimate Home Championship (Premieres June 26 on Stephen Curry’s YouTube channel)
Hosted by Stephen Curry, “Ultimate Home Championship” is a new virtual competition special that will feature notable YouTube creators, athletes and public figures including Von Miller, Lindsey Vonn, Ronda Rousey, DeAndre Jordan, Ryan García, The F2, Kristopher London, Katie Nolan, Ninja and Ego Nwodim. The competition, which is built around four, high-octane rounds of at-home events from a laundry hamper basketball to a DIY high jump, will raise funds for the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund with viewers encouraged to donate directly on the “Ultimate Home Championship” watch page. View the trailer here. The special is executive produced by Stephen Curry, along with Unanimous Media and Portal A.
Lockdown (Premieres June 26 on YouTube Originals for Kids & Family Channel)
This new 10-episode scripted Kids & Families series follows six friends as they work together to solve a mystery in their neighborhood during the social distancing era. Shot entirely via webcam and smartphone from the actors’ homes and neighborhoods, “Lockdown” is among the first scripted live-action kids series to be fully developed and produced remotely, and received the Special Achievement Award for excellence in COVID-19 programming for Prix Jeunesse International, the global festival that every two years recognizes the best in children and youth television. The series is a suspenseful look at how young people stay in touch while having to stay away, and the story unfolds almost in real-time as the friend group works together – from a distance – to solve the mystery, while also exploring their own anxieties and frustrations about life during a pandemic. View the trailer here and press images here. “Lockdown” is created and produced by Toronto-based Sinking Ship Entertainment (Dino Dana, Endlings, Odd Squad).
These announcements come on the heels of several recent YouTube Originals projects including “Bear Witness, Take Action” a conversation aimed to unite and inspire the platform’s global community to take action for racial justice hosted by Common and Keke Palmer featuring 50 YouTube creators, public figures and activists; as well as “Dear Class of 2020,” a tribute to this year’s graduating class and centered around the timely themes of hope, resilience, and camaraderie, featuring an inspirational send off from President and Mrs. Obama, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Lady Gaga, BTS, Liza Koshy and many more. Upcoming YouTube Originals include season three of “Liza on Demand” starring Liza Koshy, “This is Paris,” a documentary uncovering the hidden past of international icon Paris Hilton, and a special live event with death-defying magician David Blaine.
Susanne Daniels is Global Head of Original Content for YouTube. Alex Piper serves as Head of Unscripted for YouTube Originals, Nadine Zylstra serves as Head of Family Entertainment and Learning for YouTube Originals and Ben Relles serves as Head of Innovation for YouTube Originals.
About YouTube Originals:
YouTube Originals are award-winning, creative and engaging scripted and unscripted series and films across music, personalities and learning for fans all over the world. Spotlighting both YouTube creators alongside Hollywood’s biggest stars, YouTube Originals provide an experience that only YouTube can offer. By tapping into the platform’s growing global community, fan engagement product capabilities, and innovative content mixed with pioneering live-streamed specials, there is truly something for everybody. Fans experience YouTube Original content through ad-supported YouTube as well as YouTube Premium, a subscription service that offers access to YouTube Original series and movies, a streaming music platform, and an uninterrupted, ad-free experience across all of YouTube. YouTube Originals are available in nearly 80 countries worldwide.
About Brandcast Delivered:
Brandcast Delivered marks YouTube’s ninth annual digital newfront and first-ever digital + personalized event. Throughout the completely reimagined ‘virtual’ event, we celebrated the diversity of YouTube’s voices and content. Featuring appearances from creators like Lilly Singh, Tones And I, Kristopher London and Alex Rodriguez, we constructed a “personal primetime” for each attendee based on their passions and shared how YouTube’s deep connection to people’s lives means better results no matter a marketer’s goal – from reach and awareness to action. Beyond highlights from YouTube’s content library, announcements included solutions that can help advertisers drive results throughout the funnel, reach people across every screen and inspire people to take action as well as upcoming YouTube Originals content. Here is the official blog post
# # #
Press Contact:
Shana Tepper, YouTube Originals
.
This message contains information which may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorized to receive this message for the intended recipient), you may not use, copy, disseminate or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail, and delete the message. Thank you very much.
