Fox Entertainment is making another big bet on microdramas. The company has signed a multi-year deal with Dhar Mann Studios, the digital studio founded by wildly popular creator Dhar Mann, for a series of original scripted vertical video shows.
Under the agreement, Dahl Mann Studios will create and produce an initial series of 40 “story-driven” titles designed for Holy Water, the microdrama video platform that Fox Entertainment took an equity stake in last year. Following Holywater’s exclusive debut on the My Drama app, the Dhar Mann Studios show will have a global distribution window managed by Fox Entertainment Global. The first show under the deal is scheduled to be released this spring.
Founded in 2018, Dhar Mann Studios has reached more than 163 million multi-generational viewers with its short-form, scripted content across platforms, including YouTube. The company’s mission is to create “inspiring narrative content” that “positively impacts people around the world.” Through its partnership with Fox and Holywater, Mann retains ownership and creative independence over its original content.
“Dahl Mann’s moving and undeniable storytelling excellence and passionate audience have made him one of the most powerful and influential voices in entertainment today,” said Rob Wade, CEO of Fox Entertainment. “As a key partner for creators exploring this growing ecosystem, we are ready to expand Dhar Mann Studios’ reach by super serving new and existing fans around the world with this all-new original vertical content.”
According to Dhar Mann Studios, to date, its content has generated approximately 20 billion views across platforms. The company operates a 125,000 square foot, three-stage production facility in Burbank, California.
The deal with Fox Entertainment marks Dhar Mann Studios’ first official partnership in the fast-growing vertical. To lead production, the studio recently named producer, showrunner and head of development Erin McFarlane as head of vertical content. Previously, McFarlane led creative program development and production for vertical video platform SaltyTV.
Dahl Mann Studios CEO Sean Atkins, a former MTV and Discovery executive, said in a joint statement with MacFarlane: “As we bring Dahl’s creative vision to this new format and era of entertainment, it’s clear that Fox Entertainment and Holy Water are partners who truly understand what the scope of this ambition requires. Rob and his team both embrace and invest in innovation, giving us the unprecedented level of creative autonomy and resources we need to build something that has never been done before in this space.”This combination of scale will allow us to reach new and existing audiences in a powerful way while staying true to Dahl’s positive and resonant storytelling. ”
Bogdan Nesvit and Anatolii Kasianov, co-founders and co-CEOs of Holywater, added, “We are thrilled to partner with Dahl and Fox to bring this creative vision to a global audience. This represents the first step in our broader strategy to attract global creators and top talent to vertical storytelling at scale.”
Earlier this month, Ukraine-based Holy Water announced its largest funding round to date, raising $22 million. In addition to its investment in Holywater, Fox Entertainment Studios is actively producing 200 original microdramas and vertical series for the platform. Fox is also working with other Hollywood studios, talent and creators to develop Holy Water projects.
