SAG-AFTRA has reached a historic agreement with ZEUS, the new subscription video on demand streaming service founded by television executive producer Lemuel Plummer and co-founded by social media superstars King Bach, Amanda Cerny and DeStorm Power. The three influencers have a combined audience of almost 70 million followers across all social media platforms. The agreement, which provides coverage for content produced by ZEUS and a pathway to SAG-AFTRA membership for ZEUS content creators, was announced from Social Media Week Los Angeles.
The ad-free streaming service will feature exclusive, premium original scripted and unscripted series and video content conceived, produced by and starring a giant roster of the most popular social media influencers, including Cerny, Power and Bach. In addition to comedies and dramas, dance, talk and fitness programs will also be showcased on ZEUS.Collectively, the influencers will immediately draw upon their more than 120 million social media followers.
“We are thrilled to partner with the extraordinary members of ZEUS in providing union coverage for their original and innovative platform. King Bach, DeStorm Power and Amanda Cerny are amazing content creators whose fresh, exciting voices are breaking new ground in the industry,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. "Together we are taking the next, natural step into the future of entertainment production and distribution."
“We are very excited to have negotiated this agreement with ZEUS,” said SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director David White. “ZEUS’ business model lives at the intersection of entertainment, technology and storytelling, and it is essential that we set a precedent to protect our members in this space.”
“This partnership with SAG-AFTRA will establish ZEUS as a major player in the industry as we launch our network,” says Plummer, CEO and President, ZEUS.
“From the beginning, David White and SAG-AFTRA’s staff understood our vision of building a platform for creators and by creators, to provide our audiences with a unique streaming experience,” said Power, content creator, partner and co-president, ZEUS. Adds ZEUS content creator and partner Bach, “ZEUS is a game changer for the digital space. We can’t wait to unveil ZEUS to our fans.”
Added ZEUS content creator and partner Cerny, “SAG-AFTRA is committed to protecting the rights of artists as they gravitate to more progressive platforms, and we are thrilled to work with them.”
About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.
About ZEUS
Founded by Lemuel Plummer, President and CEO, ZEUS, and co-founded by social media superstars and partners King Bach, Amanda Cerny and DeStorm Power, who also serves as co-president, ZEUS is the first subscription on demand streaming service created by millennials for millennials. The network features exclusive, original scripted and unscripted comedy and drama series, dance, talk and fitness programs and other premium content. Beginning July 13, 2018, ZEUS will be available to subscribers for $3.99 per month on mobile and desktop computers at www.TheZeusNetwork.com. The ZEUS mobile and connected TV apps will also be available on the Apple App store, Google Play Store, and Amazon App Store, providing anywhere, anytime, any device access.
