Sometimes, the annual upfronts may seem as though they’re set against a backdrop of war between traditional network TV and what comes from the minds of YouTube creators. Harley Morenstein knows the reality is not quite so cut-and-dried.
The co-founder (with his brother Darren) of NextTime Productions five years ago, Morenstein is among the faces of Epic Meal Time, one of the online shows on the company’s three YouTube channels, which have amassed more than seven million followers. Unlike many such programs, however, Epic Meal Time didn’t remain on YouTube alone. Two years ago, it was picked up by A&E’s FYI.
Then, two months ago, the company announced it was getting even deeper into traditional TV by signing a deal with the Canadian Film Centre and CBC to create Elebrity, which will be co-developed with Aircraft Pictures. The arrangement came through Jumping Screens Comedy Workshop, a program designed to bring more online-only video content to network TV.
Marketing caught up with Morenstein to talk about the benefits of being on TV and how he sees Epic Meal Time and similar programs integrating with brands.
