AT&T is bringing Fullscreen's digital influencers to TV
LOS ANGELES -- AT&T wants TV viewers to "snack on Fullscreen."
The telecommunications giant announced Friday that it is taking Fullscreen's digital influencers and scripted originals to AUDIENCE Network, a channel available to DIRECTV and U-verse subscribers.
The move underscore's AT&T's efforts to boost the public awareness of Fullscreen creators, as well as attract subscribers to Fullscreen's SVOD service.
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The programming, which begins July 9, is a hour-long programming block on Saturdays. New eight to 10 minute segments will air on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
SEE ALSO: AT&T signs up Grace Helbig, Shonduras for new digital entertainment project
Programming includes:
Jack & Dean of All Trades -- "rising U.K. comedians take on a variety of temp jobs with hilarious results."
Making Moves -- "an L.A.-based dance drama by John Swetnam."
Veitch 101 -- "British comedian and author James Veitch skewers technology."
Single + Swiping -- "a docu-series exploring the harsh realities of dating apps."
Chad Future TV -- "a journey to Seoul, South Korea with the K-Pop influenced American musician."
The news marks the expansion of the partnership between AT&T and Fullscreen, who have been collaborating since 2012 on approaches to original social storytelling.
Fullscreen, which launched in 2011, helps a network of 75,000 YouTube, Facebook, Vine and Instagram users monetize their content and reach fans. They collectively have 600 million subscribers, who help generate more than 5 billion video views across Fullscreen's global network each month. The company's talent roster includes popular creators Grace Helbig, The Fine Bros., Andrea Russett and Jack and Jack.
In 2014, the digital entertainment company sold a majority stake to Otter Media, the joint venture between the Chernin Group and AT&T. The companies are behind the popular unscripted YouTube series @SummerBreak, which is now in its fourth season this summer.
Earlier this year, Fullscreen tapped Bryan Thoensen, who served as director and head of brand content at Hulu, and Billy Parks, who was executive vice president of digital production and programming for the Chernin Group, to co-run Fullscreen's new strategic content group.
More recently, AT&T launched Hello Lab, a yearlong program that gives influencers — including YouTuber Grace Helbig, travel duo Damon and Jo, musicians Us The Duo, magician Collins Key, Instagram comedian Brandon Armstrong, and Snapchat superstar Shaun McBride (a.k.a. Shonduras) — the opportunity to "create their most innovative dream projects with a cadenced release schedule throughout the year offering multiple touch points for consumers."
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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.
