3 Ball strikes Defy deal

Digital channels operator Defy Media is joining forces with US production company 3 Ball Entertainment to produce original content for YouTube.

3 Ball, known for its Bar Rescue and Extreme Weight Loss series, will develop content to be distributed across Defy’s YouTube channels.

The first project is How It’s Destroyed, which will debut later this year on the AWEme channel, home to series including Man at Arms and Super Fan Builds.

How It’s Destroyed will demonstrate how the world’s most complicated pieces of machinery, such as biological weapons, satellites and submarines, are disposed of.

AWEme boasts almost five million subscribers, with the Defy portfolio overall reaching more than 65 million people on the platform through channels including SMOSH, Clevver and Screen Junkies.

The deal follows a recent restructure and expansion of Defy’s television and OTT development team, which is now overseen by Hared Hoffman and Chris Pollack, who report to chief content officer Barry Blumberg.