Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM) has acquired Alpine Labs' hybrid competition reality series FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, the first original series acquisition for ‘CON TV, Cinedigm's direct-to-consumer, streaming network targeting Comic Con and pop culture fans. The announcement was made today by Cinedigm EVP/Digital Networks Erick Opeka and Alpine Labs Co-Founder Kevin Abrams and partner Jamie Denenberg.
FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (FOTLD) is an unprecedented mash-up of the reality and scripted genres. The show follows nine top YouTube stars as they attempt to survive the first 24 hours of a simulated zombie apocalypse. Contestants face challenges in an attempt to eliminate each other from the competition while trying to survive the undead's relentlessly grisly, and frighteningly realistic onslaught.
The series is a groundbreaking case study in transitioning YouTube stars into the larger media landscape by leveraging the massive digital reach of each cast member as well as the subscriber base of the most watched genre channel on YouTube, BlackBoxTV, which recently partnered with Alpine Labs. With a potential launch viewership base of over 10 million subscribers, FOTLD is well positioned to take full advantage of all avenues of distribution.
Launching in late 2014, ‘CON TV will feature additional original series like FOTLD as well as movies and TV series from Cinedigm's library of over 52,000 titles, live events and panels filmed at conventions year round. The channel is a partnership between Cinedigm and Wizard World, the largest producer of Comic Con and pop culture events nationally.
FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is produced by Alpine Labs and Revolver Picture Company; Alpine's Kevin Abrams, Jamie Denenberg, BlackBoxTV's Tony E. Valenzuela, and Aaron Lewis are Executive Producers, Revolver's Nick Phillips and Kelly Martin Wagner are Co-Executive Producers.
"We think FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is a killer concept," says Erick Opeka, Cinedigm's EVP of Digital Networks. "The series is a brilliant way to kick-off ‘CON TV's original programming roster and introduce this innovative crop of talent to new audiences."
"Alpine Labs' continuing goal is to find new and exciting ways to challenge conventional entertainment models of production and distribution," says Alpine's Kevin Abrams. "Being in business with a creative, forward-thinking, entrepreneurially oriented powerhouse like Cinedigm is for us a match made in zombie heaven."
The FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD cast includes notable YouTube stars including:
Prank Vs Prank: Jesse and Jeana 4.9 Million Subscribers on YouTube
Since the inception of PVP in 2007, Jesse and Jeana's pranks on each other have grown to 650 million views to date and this month they were named the #1 Pranksters on YouTube by USA Today. https://www.youtube.com/user/PrankvsPrank
Joey Graceffa: 3.2 Million Subscribers on YouTube
A 22-year-old vlogger, gamer, parody maker, singer, and model, Joey was a contestant on Season 22 of THE AMAZING RACE, setting a record for the youngest team to have a Top 5 finish. https://www.youtube.com/user/JoeyGraceffa
Strawburry17: (Meghan Camarena) 650,000 Subscribers on YouTube
A contestant on the 22nd and 24th seasons of THE AMAZING RACE, Meghan Camarena is a popular actress, director, host and YouTube content creator. She hosts/produces a variety of nerdy-based videos on her main channel "Strawburry17" and uploads day-in-the-life videos on her second channel "Lifeburry." https://www.youtube.com/user/Strawburry17
Alphacat: (Iman Crosson) 626,000 Subscribers on YouTube
Iman Crosson is an American actor, impressionist and YouTube personality known for impersonations of Barack Obama and rapper Drake. In February 2014, Crosson met with U.S. President Obama at the White House to discuss ways in which government could connect with the content creators' viewers concerning awareness of and enrollment in health insurance policies and other issues. https://www.youtube.com/user/Alphacat
iJustine: (Justine Ezarik) 2 million subscribers on YouTube
Justine Ezarik is an American comedian, Internet celebrity, actress and occasional television host. As iJustine, she has over 3,500 videos on her fiveYouTube channels which Wikipedia reports have resulted in over 500 million video views. https://www.youtube.com/user/ijustine
Olga Kay: 725,000 subscribers on YouTube
Olga Kay is a Russian comedian, writer, director, and performer.[1] Trained as a professional circus juggler, she later moved to acting and video creation. In 2006 she started the YouTube channel OlgaKay, creating shows such as Emo Girl and Olga Kay's Show.https://www.youtube.com/user/olgakay
About ‘CON TV
Cinedigm recently partnered with Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) to create ‘CON TV, a direct-to-consumer streaming network targeted to Comic Con fans and curated with a wide array of sci-fi, horror, fantasy, action, adventure, gamer, anime, animation and comedy content, as well as an e-commerce retail destination featuring collectible and exclusive merchandise. With Cinedigm's vast library of over 52,000 films and TV episodes, 650 digital content partnerships and an acquisitions team sourcing new films, series and other original programming, the new network will provide Comic Con enthusiasts with year-round access to compelling content. Both free-to-consumer, advertising supported streaming, as well as a premium subscription option will be available, featuring exclusive access to the events, panels, talent, and fans that make the Comic Con experience so exciting.
Wizard World is the leading producer of live pop culture multimedia conventions across North America and will host at least 22 Wizard World Comic Con conventions in 2014, with a broader schedule planned for 2015. The conventions bring communities together to celebrate their favorite films, TV shows, celebrities, video games, technology, toys, social networking/gaming platforms, comic books and graphic novels. With an active database of over one million followers, and more than 250 million impressions on Twitter, Wizard World's Comic Con fans are rabid entertainment enthusiasts, collectors and technology savants, ideally positioned to support a Comic Con-focused digital network.
About CINEDIGM
Cinedigm is the leading independent content distributor in the United States, with direct relationships with over 60,000 physical stores and digital retailers, including Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, iTunes, Netflix, and Amazon, as well as the national Video On Demand platform on cable television. The company's library of over 32,000 titles and episodes encompasses award-winning documentaries from Docurama Films®, next-gen Indies from Flatiron Film Company®, acclaimed independent films and festival picks through partnerships with the Sundance Institute and Tribeca Films and a wide range of content from brand name suppliers, including National Geographic, Discovery, Scholastic, WWE, NFL, Shout Factory, Hallmark, Jim Henson and more.
Cinedigm™ and Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp™ are trademarks of Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp www.cinedigm.com. [CIDM-G]
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About ALPINE LABS
ALPINE LABS: Formed in 2011 (as "Ketchum Labs") and rebranded in 2014, Alpine Labs was formed with the desire to rethink & challenge the traditional ways content is produced and distributed. With full access to today's advancements in digital filmmaking and applied technologies, Alpine Labs has created and is currently in production on content for the network, cable, and digital and theatrical space. Alpine Lab's new syndicated drama series, The Pinkertons, produced with Rosetta Media and Buffalo Gal Pictures, based on the famed wild west detective agency and starring Angus Macfadyen (Turn; Braveheart) is set to premiere in first-run syndication in the U.S. this fall. http://www.thealpinelabs.com
