Zoomin creates longform studio

NATPE: Modern Times Group-owned digital video specialist Zoomin.TV is launching a studio operation that will focus on producing longform content.

Richard Chambers

Zoomin Studios will target coproductions for linear TV and be led by award-winning TV and digital producer and director Richard Chambers.

It will develop and coproduce formats and factual programming for linear TV channels, as well as mobile and online platforms, where Zoomin.TV’s speciality lies.

The new division is already in discussions with producers and distributors about formats based on some of Zoomin.TV’s top talent from its multi-channel network, who between them have amassed more than 1.8 billion views on their YouTube channels.

Chambers is here in Miami this week meeting producers and broadcasters to discuss new projects. He previously worked at the BBC and for indies including Tigress, Icon, IWC and Touch Productions.

Jan Riemens, Zoomin.TV’s CEO, said: “Traditional broadcasters and advertisers are struggling to provide the right type of content to connect with a Generation Z audience, which has been turning off linear TV channels.

“Our talent already has vast audience recognition and loyalty across the 25,000 YouTube channels we manage and Zoomin Studios will deliver this audience to TV platforms and brands. Creating Zoomin Studios makes the company ideally positioned to create a feedback loop between the broadcast and digital worlds and we are uniquely placed to monetise both.”

Chambers added: “We know ‘traditional’ TV is by no means dead and just how attractive it remains to YouTube stars and their fans.

“Our extensive knowledge of the content Gen Z both makes and consumes online, alongside the creative storytelling and high production values needed for longform TV shows, gives Zoomin Studios a unique ability to source new talent, build an online fan base for them and now, working with coproduction partners, develop formats to bring that ready-made talent and audience to linear TV audiences globally.”