Gaming and entertainment news network Venn unveiled on Tuesday $26 million in Series A funding co-led by investors including Bitkraft, Josh Kroenke and Nexstar Media Group.
“With this new funding round, Venn is positioned for its next phase of growth as we plan to further expand our content creation capabilities and continue to enhance the distribution of our ‘instant and everywhere’ viewing experience” said Ben Kusin, Venn’s co-founder and co-ceo.
“We’re proud to welcome Nexstar as an important strategic investor and exclusive local television partner as we leverage the national reach of their 197 television stations, related digital multicast ...
“With this new funding round, Venn is positioned for its next phase of growth as we plan to further expand our content creation capabilities and continue to enhance the distribution of our ‘instant and everywhere’ viewing experience” said Ben Kusin, Venn’s co-founder and co-ceo.
“We’re proud to welcome Nexstar as an important strategic investor and exclusive local television partner as we leverage the national reach of their 197 television stations, related digital multicast ...
- 10/20/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Gaming and entertainment news network Venn unveiled on Tuesday $26 million in Series A funding co-led by investors including Bitkraft, Josh Kroenke and Nexstar Media Group.
“With this new funding round, Venn is positioned for its next phase of growth as we plan to further expand our content creation capabilities and continue to enhance the distribution of our ‘instant and everywhere’ viewing experience” said Ben Kusin, Venn’s co-founder and co-ceo.
“We’re proud to welcome Nexstar as an important strategic investor and exclusive local television partner as we leverage the national reach of their 197 television stations, related digital multicast ...
“With this new funding round, Venn is positioned for its next phase of growth as we plan to further expand our content creation capabilities and continue to enhance the distribution of our ‘instant and everywhere’ viewing experience” said Ben Kusin, Venn’s co-founder and co-ceo.
“We’re proud to welcome Nexstar as an important strategic investor and exclusive local television partner as we leverage the national reach of their 197 television stations, related digital multicast ...
- 10/20/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Streaming startup Venn, two months after its official launch, announced that it has closed a $26 million Series A round of financing to expand its gaming and esports network.
The funding brings Venn to $43 million total raised to date. The latest round was led by broadcaster Nexstar Media Group and esports investment fund Bitkraft, which had previously invested in Venn’s seed round. Others contributing to the Series A included Eldridge Industries, Wise Ventures, Alumni Ventures Group and Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment.
Nexstar, as part of its strategic investment, secured an exclusive local TV broadcasting content and sales agreement for Venn’s 24-hour network and has the right to appoint a member to Venn’s board of directors. Nexstar operates 197 stations in the U.S., along with digital multicast networks and a network of digital properties.
“Gaming and esports are two fast-growing sectors and through our...
The funding brings Venn to $43 million total raised to date. The latest round was led by broadcaster Nexstar Media Group and esports investment fund Bitkraft, which had previously invested in Venn’s seed round. Others contributing to the Series A included Eldridge Industries, Wise Ventures, Alumni Ventures Group and Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment.
Nexstar, as part of its strategic investment, secured an exclusive local TV broadcasting content and sales agreement for Venn’s 24-hour network and has the right to appoint a member to Venn’s board of directors. Nexstar operates 197 stations in the U.S., along with digital multicast networks and a network of digital properties.
“Gaming and esports are two fast-growing sectors and through our...
- 10/20/2020
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Call it Food Network or HGTV for the Twitch generation.
Ariel Horn and Ben Kusin are the co-founders and co-CEOs of Venn, the fledgling ad-supported streaming service that hopes to be a live entertainment destination for video game enthusiasts, casual and otherwise.
Horn and Kusin detail the vision and planning for Venn on the latest episode of Variety’s weekly podcast “Strictly Business.” The pair cites the familiar statistics about the explosive growth of gaming as an entertainment pursuit that has blossomed into a $150 billion industry, with plenty of expansion on the horizon.
Although a linear live feed of programming with commercials embedded would seem out of step with the way younger consumers are consuming content, Horn and Kusin see an opening for a lifestyle-oriented programs that are available wherever the target audience is. For Venn (which stands for Video Game Entertainment and News Network), the flexibility of being ad-supported...
Ariel Horn and Ben Kusin are the co-founders and co-CEOs of Venn, the fledgling ad-supported streaming service that hopes to be a live entertainment destination for video game enthusiasts, casual and otherwise.
Horn and Kusin detail the vision and planning for Venn on the latest episode of Variety’s weekly podcast “Strictly Business.” The pair cites the familiar statistics about the explosive growth of gaming as an entertainment pursuit that has blossomed into a $150 billion industry, with plenty of expansion on the horizon.
Although a linear live feed of programming with commercials embedded would seem out of step with the way younger consumers are consuming content, Horn and Kusin see an opening for a lifestyle-oriented programs that are available wherever the target audience is. For Venn (which stands for Video Game Entertainment and News Network), the flexibility of being ad-supported...
- 9/2/2020
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Olivia Munn is in final talks to sign a multiyear deal with the relaunching G4 Network, two individuals with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.
The agreement deal will include a development deal and has both on- and off-air components. Munn was an original anchor on G4 series ‘Attack of the Show.” She went on to star on HBO’s “The Newsroom” and in the movie “Ocean’s 8,” among other acting credits.
A spokesman for the relaunching G4 Network did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment on this story.
Also Read: Olivia Munn Says Ben and Casey Affleck Need to Step Aside Over Past #MeToo Accusations
G4, which weeks ago teased a 2021 return, is expected to formally announce a relaunch — including new leadership — soon. Munn’s involvement is also expected to be officially announced soon.
The G4 Media brand was a joint venture between NBCUniversal Cable and Dish Network.
The agreement deal will include a development deal and has both on- and off-air components. Munn was an original anchor on G4 series ‘Attack of the Show.” She went on to star on HBO’s “The Newsroom” and in the movie “Ocean’s 8,” among other acting credits.
A spokesman for the relaunching G4 Network did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment on this story.
Also Read: Olivia Munn Says Ben and Casey Affleck Need to Step Aside Over Past #MeToo Accusations
G4, which weeks ago teased a 2021 return, is expected to formally announce a relaunch — including new leadership — soon. Munn’s involvement is also expected to be officially announced soon.
The G4 Media brand was a joint venture between NBCUniversal Cable and Dish Network.
- 8/12/2020
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Updated: After nearly six years sitting in mothballs, the G4 video-game TV network is coming back — with some kind of relaunch next year by Comcast.
On Friday, the Twitter accounts of G4TV and G4’s Attack of the Show! and X-Play, two popular shows on the network, both posted the same cryptic teaser video, captioned with “We never stopped playing.” The video culminates with the numerals “2021.”
IGN, the game and entertainment publication owned by j2 Global’s Ziff Davis, also posted a version of the video (two minutes before the G4 account did). The teasers were timed for Comic-Con@Home, the first virtual streaming edition of the annual fan convention.
We never stopped playing. pic.twitter.com/fKJSvL9uaZ
— G4TV (@G4TV) July 24, 2020
The g4tv.com website, which currently features a playable Pong game, is registered to Comcast-owned NBCUniversal Media. An NBCU rep declined to comment.
A...
On Friday, the Twitter accounts of G4TV and G4’s Attack of the Show! and X-Play, two popular shows on the network, both posted the same cryptic teaser video, captioned with “We never stopped playing.” The video culminates with the numerals “2021.”
IGN, the game and entertainment publication owned by j2 Global’s Ziff Davis, also posted a version of the video (two minutes before the G4 account did). The teasers were timed for Comic-Con@Home, the first virtual streaming edition of the annual fan convention.
We never stopped playing. pic.twitter.com/fKJSvL9uaZ
— G4TV (@G4TV) July 24, 2020
The g4tv.com website, which currently features a playable Pong game, is registered to Comcast-owned NBCUniversal Media. An NBCU rep declined to comment.
A...
- 7/24/2020
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
As traditional cable programmers struggle, startup Venn is stepping up to the plate with a business model the founders of the live-streaming video-game entertainment network say is custom-built for the over-the-top era.
For the Aug. 5 launch, Venn will make its 24-hour, free-to-watch linear network available on Amazon’s Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Gaming and Twitter. In addition, the company says, it will be coming to dedicated channels on connected-tv platforms representing more than 30 million U.S. households, including Vizio’s smart TVs, Comcast’s Xumo streaming service, Sinclair’s Stirr and DistroTV.
Venn, the Video Game Entertainment and News Network, is in talks for additional distribution deals with Ott platforms as well as traditional and internet pay-tv providers, said Ben Kusin, co-founder and co-ceo. Venn’s programming, totaling 21 hours of original shows per week at launch, will also be available directly on its website (at venn.tv).
“TV is having a crisis moment.
For the Aug. 5 launch, Venn will make its 24-hour, free-to-watch linear network available on Amazon’s Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Gaming and Twitter. In addition, the company says, it will be coming to dedicated channels on connected-tv platforms representing more than 30 million U.S. households, including Vizio’s smart TVs, Comcast’s Xumo streaming service, Sinclair’s Stirr and DistroTV.
Venn, the Video Game Entertainment and News Network, is in talks for additional distribution deals with Ott platforms as well as traditional and internet pay-tv providers, said Ben Kusin, co-founder and co-ceo. Venn’s programming, totaling 21 hours of original shows per week at launch, will also be available directly on its website (at venn.tv).
“TV is having a crisis moment.
- 7/23/2020
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Venn (Video Game Entertainment and News Network) has unveiled a slate of original live shows as it prepares to launch in beta August 5 with pop culture and gaming talent broadcasting from its new Los Angeles studios.
The network is aimed at “the streaming generation, raised at the intersection of gaming and entertainment” and will “speak directly to Gen Z and Millennial audiences,” Venn said.
Programming will be delivered live from its state-of-the-art 50,000 square foot Vista Studios in Playa Vista with a flagship studio at New York’s Three World Trade Center to open next year. Venn’s Studio One at Vista will have over 1,000 sq. ft. and 30M pixels of Led walls and floors for digital storytelling and interactive formats.
“We identify and curate fan favorite talent, develop and elevate their content with a world class TV production infrastructure, then rapidly scale it all via our universally distributed network,” said Ben Kusin,...
The network is aimed at “the streaming generation, raised at the intersection of gaming and entertainment” and will “speak directly to Gen Z and Millennial audiences,” Venn said.
Programming will be delivered live from its state-of-the-art 50,000 square foot Vista Studios in Playa Vista with a flagship studio at New York’s Three World Trade Center to open next year. Venn’s Studio One at Vista will have over 1,000 sq. ft. and 30M pixels of Led walls and floors for digital storytelling and interactive formats.
“We identify and curate fan favorite talent, develop and elevate their content with a world class TV production infrastructure, then rapidly scale it all via our universally distributed network,” said Ben Kusin,...
- 7/9/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.