YouTube Red greenlights dance drama

Lionsgate’s Step Up: High Water is based on the film franchise

YouTube Red has set a date for its forthcoming dance drama starring singer Ne-Yo.

Step Up: High Water is a 10-episode series produced by Lionsgate based on the successful Step Up film franchise.

Executive produced by Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, the show will premiere on YouTube Red on January 31.

In the series, Ne-Yo plays the founder of an Atlanta-based performing arts school and Lauryn McClain and Petrice Jones also feature.

The original soundtrack for Step Up: High Water was created by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jason Boyd and Jared Gutstadt, president, co-founder and chief creative officer of music publishing company Jingle Punks.

In related news, YouTube has struck a multi-year licensing deal with Universal Music Group as the video platform prepares to launch a music streaming service. It is YouTube’s second major deal with a record company after it signed with Sony earlier this year.