Studio71 launches Beta Squad reality scheme

The Beta Squad scheme is bringing five young content creators together

The UK arm of Red Arrow Studios-owned prodco Studio71 has unveiled details of its new reality concept involving up-and-coming creators.

Beginning next month, the Beta Squad scheme will see YouTube creators Chunkz, Niko Omilana, King Kenny, AJ Shabeel and Sharky live in a state-of-the-art mansion in London for a year, creating daily content streams for myriad digital platforms including YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat under the social handle BetaSquad5.

Documentarian Niko Omilana creates satirical documentary videos that include going undercover in far-right organisation the EDL, antagonising Donald Trump supporters and gaining unauthorised red-carpet access at this year’s Bafta Awards.

Singer and comedian Chunkz has a number of productions under his belt, such as Cooking with Chunkz. They are joined by extreme gamer and comedy vlogger King Kenny, challenge master AJ Shabeel and sports-obsessed Sharky.

Beta Squad aims to support five diverse and different voices from the UK creator space who cover relevant topics for young people, spanning comedy, entertainment, music, gaming, fashion and sports. It will also tap into a traditionally underrepresented pool of BAME personalities from the UK.

The announcement follows on from Studio71 UK’s recent commission from pubcaster the BBC to create a trio of factual series for its digital channels covering the fashion industry, sexual health and body image.