Damn, Ellen DeGeneres! Host launches own digital network.
NEW YORK -- Ellen DeGeneres is delving deeper into the digital space.
On Wednesday -- during the first week of NewFronts -- the talkshow host announced the launch of her own network (Ellen Digital Network).
Launched in partnership with the Warner Bros. Television Group, the network will offer an original slate of programming for multiple platforms, including content from YouTube superstar Tyler Oakley and the "Damn Daniel" Snapchat stars.
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“I’m so excited for the Ellen Digital Network," DeGeneres said in a statement. "I’ll get to showcase amazing talents like Tyler Oakley and tWitch. Plus, I’ll finally prove to the world that my pets can speak in human voices.”
The popular on-air personality has become somewhat of a digital powerhouse in the last couple of years, building a huge following both on the show's account and her own personal pages.
She has amassed more than 1.1 billion total cross-platform views, according to a Tubular survey from November 2015.
Much of that comes from YouTube, where the TheEllenShow channel averages more than 300 million views per month from its nearly 16 million subscribers.
DeGeneres' digital video platform -- EllenTube -- is filled with viral clips from the show.
Meanwhile, her actual on-air broadcast still attracts eyeballs, with guests from both the traditional and digital entertainment industries.
Oakley, who has appeared on the show, has signed a development deal with Ellen Digital Network. The two will collaborate on a range of original digital projects with an aim toward developing projects for television as well.
California teens Joshua Holz and Daniel Lara (behind the "Damn Daniel" viral video) will also create an all-new original series, which will debut on Snapchat later this year.
Also on deck: Ellen’s Pet Dish, an animated series featuring Ellen’s pets from Warner Bros.’ digital production studio Blue Ribbon Content; the return of 4-year-old viral sensation Brielle; new episodes of Dance Challenge; #MadeByYou, featuring the best user-generated content from EllenTube; and popular Ellen Show game Epic or Fail.
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Topics Ellen DeGeneres
Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
