Today Rightster, the video distribution and
monetisation specialist, announces the launch of Rightster Studios
to finance original programming, TV shows, and channels
online. Rightster is already a YouTube partner, and Rightster
Studios will enable producers of all sizes - from independent viral
video producers, to traditional production houses, to large news
organisations - to create the next generation of engaging and
successful online video programming. Rightster Studios is in
a unique position to offer this due to its understanding of online
video distribution, monetisation, and, most importantly, audience
development on YouTube.
Rightster Studios provides producers with a new financing option
for the creation of original programming. Rightster Studios
works with the programme maker to determine the best strategy and
implementation for distribution, marketing, and monetisation.
The new venture will utilise Rightster's extensive relationships
with producers, advertisers, and media agencies. Rightster
Studios will initially launch with facilities in London - quickly
followed by New York, and then Singapore and Los Angeles.
Rightster Studios will begin work with programme makers and
producers on an invitation basis this summer and open applications
up more widely in October.
Damian Collier, founder and CEO of Viral Spiral
Group comments, "The launch of Rightster Studios
offers original programme producers like our clients, the
opportunity to create entirely new shows that we already know have
an audience, are fully-funded, and have a proven distribution and
monetisation system. At Viral Spiral we are currently working
with many producers of original made-for-web content, such as
'Charlie Bit My Finger', 'Sneezing Baby Panda' and 'Fenton',
so we are looking forward to working with Rightster Studios to
enable our clients to extend their viral video brands into original
programmes."
Mark Browning, Managing Director of ITN
Productions comments, "This is an exciting new
development in our relationship with Rightster as we are already in
discussions with Rightster Studios about delivering compelling and
popular shows for online audiences. Our expertise in this
area and unrivalled track record of producing online content across
multiple genres means that we have a strong pipeline of material
for this important online platform."
Charlie Muirhead, Founder and CEO at Rightster,
commented: "There has been a huge surge in the growth of
original programming online, but traditionally financing of new
shows has been done by linear channels, such as TV or radio
networks, that have loyal audiences, which means they are able to
accurately forecast future revenues. These linear channels
don't exist online, meaning it can be very hard to forecast the
interest, audience, and therefore the revenues for a new
show. The lack of financial support and the risk involved to
date has created a bottleneck, preventing new talent and original
programming from reaching its audience online, which is why we have
launched Rightster Studios."
Muirhead continues: "With Rightster Studios we want to bring
together our expertise in a new way to simplify this process for
online video producers, providing the finances to underwrite the
production costs, shouldering the risk for companies, and
ultimately unlocking the untapped revenue potential of original
programming. With this launch we are taking the first step
towards uncovering the next hit series and producing innovative,
high quality programmes that wouldn't otherwise have been
made."