Will Smith, LeBron head to YouTube

LeBron James is exec producing Best Shot

YouTube has unveiled an array of advertising-supported original projects from talent including Will Smith, LeBron James and Priyanka Chopra.

The Jump Off is a live event show that will see Smith bungee jumping from a helicopter over the Grand Canyon to celebrate his 50th birthday in September, with US-based Westbrook Entertainment producing.

If I Could Tell You Just One Thing, meanwhile, is from Sundog Pictures and features inspirational people discussing how the world can be improved.

Training Day is being produced by James Corden’s prodco Fulwell 73 and sees comedian Jack Whitehall training with football stars, while basketball docuseries Best Shot is being exec produced by Basketball star James and produced by his Springhill Entertainment label with Boardwalk Pictures.

YouTube has also extended its deal to stream music festival Coachella for a further three years.

The shows, which will be available for free rather than via subscription service YouTube Red, join other ad-supported programming such as Ryan Seacrest’s competition series Best.Cover.Ever.

YouTube has already unveiled a raft of series for its SVoD service YouTube Red spanning sci-fi, eSports, competition, kids and family content.

Last year the streamer expanded the reach of its live television service in the US by launching in a further 10 regions. YouTube TV is aimed at cord-cutters and offers around 40 US cable and broadcast networks.