GRB, Defy link up for originals

Defy series Man at Arms was recently acquired by GRB

US-based distributor GRB Entertainment and digital firm Defy Media have joined forces to develop and distribute original programming for domestic and international distribution.

The content will be based on GRB’s linear productions and Defy’s digital channel brands, including SMOSH, AWEme, Clevver and ScreenJunkies.

GRB most recently acquired international rights to Defy series Man at Arms and Super Fan Builds. The partnership offers traditionally linear company GRB a presence among the millennial and Gen Z space, and for Defy a new audience in the linear space traditionally targeted to the 25-54 demographic.

Marielle Zuccarelli, chief operating officer at GRB, said: “The production business is in a transition phase where linear and digital content are merging. Our strategy to supersize Defy’s shortform digital content into linear and OTT formats showcases our 360-degree development, production and distribution capability.

“Man at Arms is the perfect example of content incubated on a digital channel that found success on linear networks both domestically and internationally. We look forward to working with the innovative Defy team to replicate that model.”

GRB’s programmes air in primetime in more than 170 countries. Defy’s brands have attracted more than 125 million followers combined, driving more than 800 million monthly views across multiple platforms.