Hulu's next original series steals talent away from YouTube
The new original will be a half-hour series from Freddie Wong and RocketJump, whose Video Game High School and original short videos regularly receive millions of views on YouTube. Lionsgate Television is also on board with the project. There's no word on a premiere date.
Hulu hasn't gone into great detail on the series, but notes that each episode will chronicle the making of original shorts, which will also debut exclusively on Hulu. (It's unclear whether this making-of format is the main thrust of the series, or an additional feature.)
RocketJump's YouTube Channel is mostly comedy, occasionally but not always focused on video games. Video Game High School, which pokes fun at both teenage drama shows and gaming tropes, ran for three seasons, with each episode running about 10 minutes. This will be the Wong and RocketJump's first crack at the 30-minute television format.
Why this matters: Hulu is no stranger to original series--it currently offers more than 20 of them--but most are rooted in conventional television with Hollywood actors and producers. It's unclear how well this strategy has worked for Hulu, as originals from rivals Netflix and Amazon have received more critical acclaim. Instead of trying to compete directly, Hulu may see this deal as a way to reach a younger demographic that's more tuned into YouTube than traditional television.