NewFront News and Views: Studio 71

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Way back when, when founded as The Collective, this organization was one of the first to successfully translate internet content to TV.  Two examples: Fred the Movie for Nickelodeon and theAnnoying Orange series on Cartoon Network.  In time, The Collective became Collective Digital Studios (and did a pair of NewFronts under that name).  Now, Studio 71 operates through Red Arrow, a fast-growing worldwide entertainment empire owning ten TV production companies in the U.S. alone.

Venue:  The main auditorium of Times Center at 242 W. 41st St.  The company’s 71 logo (which looks like an arrow pointing Northeast) served as a podium for speakers center stage.  Grade: 3 Jacks

Presentation:  Centered on the company’s role as content supplier to YouTube and other platforms, including Roku and Facebook Watch.  Big emphasis on brand safety and trustworthy programming.  “Our DNA is different from the rest,” noted President Dan Weinstein.  Grade: 3.5 Jacks

News:  New co-production/distribution partnership with Fine Brothers Entertainment, whose work gets over 300 million online views per month.  Initial series include Measure Up (product testing competition),Poker Face (two people determine the truth-teller or fibber in various situations) and Will a Baby? (cute vignettes of babes in action).  More unscripted series ahead from Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks Digital Studios, including one on body transformation.  Grade: 3 Jacks (Studio 71 Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Partnerships and Operations Peter Leeb is pictured at top.)

Simon Applebaum

Simon Applebaum has covered the TV medium for more than 38 years. Now a regular MediaVillage columnist, he produces and hosts Tomorrow Will Be Televised, a program all about TV, now in its 12th year. Previously, he was a senior editor for various TV-centric … read more