Company:VENN

From HandWiki
Short description: American streaming television network
VENN
Owned byGaming 24/7, Inc.
LanguageEnglish
HeadquartersPlaya Vista, California United States
Websitewww.venn.tv

VENN (short for The Video Game Entertainment & News Network)[1] is an American streaming television network based in Playa Vista, California.[2] It features gaming and pop-culture content geared towards Millennial and Generation Z audiences.[3][4]

History

VENN was co-founded in 2019 by former EA Brand Marketer Ben Kusin and Riot Games' former Head of Esports Content Ariel Horn.[5] The network raised $17 million in a seed funding round led by Bitkraft Esports Ventures and private investment firm Eldridge Industries.[6]

VENN was officially announced in April 2020 as a gaming TV network that provides a "mix of gaming, news, entertainment, and music, as well as original series featuring creators and influencers."[7] The network built a studio in Playa Vista, California with another one being constructed in New York City,[8] located inside 3 World Trade Center.[9] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the completion and opening of the New York studio has been delayed until further notice.[10]

VENN beta launched on August 5, 2020, featured over 30+ hours of new content weekly, and was available on Twitch and YouTube.[11][12] The network is broadcast on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Gaming, Xumo, Stirr, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Vizio, Plex, Distro TV, and Stirr.[13] All of its programming prioritize live community interaction, either through polls or the hosts reading comments and answering questions from the Twitch chat or the official Discord server.

On October 20, 2020, it was announced that VENN had raised over $26 million during its Series A round of financing. The added investments bring its company total to $43 million and will be used to further expand its business.[14] The company also announced the hiring of former MTV employee Jeff Jacobs as their new EVP and general manager.[14]

In 2021, Horn announced a recallibration of its content creation and distribution. These include a heavy focus on its Esports coverage, a simulcasting deal with Fan Controlled Football, the launch of two new YouTube channels (VENN Download and VENN Esports, with its main channel being rebranded as VENN Plays), and the retooling of its programs The Download and Guest House into more short-form series.[15] Horn also revealed they are in talks with linear television outlets for syndication deals and plan on producing more content for streaming platforms.[15]

Programming

[16]

Original series

  • The Download - A daily news and variety program and that discusses gaming, pop culture, tech, and more. Hosted by actor Jimmy Wong , internet personality Emma Fyffe, Esports shoutcasters Daniel "dGon" Gonalzes and Matt "MattMrX" Morello, Esports analyst Erin Ashley Simon, actress Tehya Johns, model Emily Mei, and journalist Patrick Shanley. Airs Mondays through Fridays at 7 AM PST / 10 AM EST.
  • Guest House - A two-hour live-streaming show that welcomes fellow streamers, musicians, and other online personalities to play games, chat, and engage with the live audience. Hosted by musician Chrissy Costanza. Airs Wednesdays through Fridays at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST.
  • VENN Arcade Live - A daily variety show showcasing new video games, music, and pop culture trends as well as chatting and playing with guests. Hosted by Esports shoutcasters James "Dash" Patterson, Daniel "dGon" Gonzales, and Evan "Raynday" Raynr, actress Tehya Johns, and model Emily Mei.
    • VENN Arcade Rewind - A half-hour version of the show that presents highlights and memorable moments from past episodes.
  • Grey Area - A late-night talk show that answers personal questions around a specific subject with a guest as well as offering life advice to callers. Hosted by actress and streamer Sasha Grey and rapper Dumbfoundead. Airs Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 PM PST / 11 PM EST.
  • Looking for Gains - A live and interactive fitness and lifestyle series that presents workout routines. Hosted by YouTuber CashNasty.
  • Dare Package - A game show that pits eight streamers and online personalities against each other through a series of physical, mental, and social challenges, in which the necessary tools can be found inside the Dare Packages that have been sent to their homes. Hosted by streamer AustinShow. Airs Saturdays at 2 PM PST / 5 PM EST.
  • The Sushi Dragon Show Starring TheSushiDragon - A one-man surrealist variety show featuring guests and new music. Hosted and live-edited by streamer Stefan "TheSushiDragon" Li. Airs Saturdays at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST.
    • The Sushi Dragon After Party - A sister program that acts as an extension to the main show. Airs Saturdays at 7 PM PST / 10 PM EST.
  • Locked In - A two-hour live-streaming show that welcomes fellow streamers, shoutcasters, and professional players to play games primarily in the Esports field and discuss topics surrounding competitive gaming. Hosted by shoutcasters James "Dash" Patterson and Daniel "dGon" Gonzales. Airs Wednesdays through Fridays at 2 PM PST / 5 PM EST.
  • Origin Stories - A documentary series that focuses on a professional Esports player and tells their personal story. Hosted by NRG Esports co-CEO and OpTic Chicago CEO Hector "H3CZ" Rodriguez. Exclusive to the VENN Esports YouTube channel.

Acquired programming

  • Fan Controlled Football - An interactive football league where viewers can draft the teams make the plays in real time, of which VENN is a partnered broadcaster.[17]
  • Facecheck - A video podcast hosted by Daniel "dGon" Gonzales, professional player Christian "IWDominate" Rivera, and streamer Nick "LS" De Cesare that focuses on the competitive League of Legends Esports scene. Uploaded every Thursday on the VENN Esports YouTube channel.

References

  1. ↑ Snider, Mike. "Video game TV network VENN launches 24/7 coverage of esports, pop culture and technology". https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2020/08/05/video-game-tv-network-venn/3301235001/. 
  2. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill. "Gaming Network VENN Sets July Launch From Playa Vista Studio; Kroenke Sports Is New Backer". https://deadline.com/2020/04/gaming-network-venn-july-launch-playa-vista-kroenke-1202904552/. 
  3. ↑ Takahashi, Dean. "VENN unveils 20 hours of weekly video game programming for broadcast TV". https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/09/venn-unveils-20-hours-of-weekly-video-game-programming-for-broadcast-tv/. 
  4. ↑ Oscar, Zach. "What VENN Launch Means For Gamers And Advertisers". https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/354046/what-venn-launch-means-for-gamers-and-advertisers.html. 
  5. ↑ Wolf, Jacob. "New esports network VENN to launch in 2020". https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/27636733/new-esports-network-venn-launch-2020. 
  6. ↑ Perez, Matt. "Video Game Network Launches With $17 Million In Funding And Backing Of Riot, Twitch And Blizzard Cofounders". https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattperez/2019/09/17/venn-esports-funding-riot-games/#4c3167c837a7. 
  7. ↑ Henry, Jasmine. "New Gaming TV Network VENN Announced". https://gamerant.com/venn-esports-network-announced/. 
  8. ↑ Zeitchik, Steven. "Network seeks to become MTV for the gamer generation". https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/09/17/new-network-seeks-become-mtv-gamer-generation/. 
  9. ↑ Novy-Williams, Eben. "The Would-Be MTV of Esports Hastens Launch During Lockdown". https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-09/would-be-mtv-of-esports-hastens-launch-to-benefit-from-lockdown. 
  10. ↑ Dachman, Jason. "Inside the Launch of VENN 24/7 Gaming-Lifestyle Network in the Midst of the Pandemic". https://www.sportsvideo.org/2020/08/05/inside-the-launch-of-venn-the-new-24-7-gaming-lifestyle-network-built-in-the-midst-of-the-pandemic/. 
  11. ↑ Lee, Wendy; Sakoui, Anousha. "Hollywood has few jobs, but these companies are hiring workers idled by the coronavirus". https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-04-11/coronavirus-hollywood-jobs-hiring-video-games-streaming. 
  12. ↑ Browne, Ryan. "TECH A new TV network aims to lure a generation brought up on video games in the coronavirus era". https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/05/venn-tv-network-launches-to-lure-gaming-generation-in-coronavirus-era.html. 
  13. ↑ "VENN | WHERE TO WATCH". https://www.venn.tv/where-watch/. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Spangler, Todd (2020-10-20). "VENN Raises $26 Million in Funding to Expand Gaming and Esports Network" (in en-US). https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/venn-funding-gaming-26-million-nexstar-1234809952/. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Fudge, James (2021-02-17). "VENN’s Ariel Horn on Lessons Learned From the First Six Months of Operation – The Esports Observer" (in en-US). https://esportsobserver.com/venn-ariel-horn-interview/. 
  16. ↑ "VENN TV schedule". https://www.venn.tv/schedule/. 
  17. ↑ "Johnny Manziel is playing Fan Controlled Football. Here’s what that means". 23 February 2021. https://www.wrbl.com/venn/johnny-manziel-is-playing-fan-controlled-football-heres-what-that-means/. 

External links




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