August 8, 2014Cinedigm Acquires Fight of the Living Dead Hybrid Horror Competition-Reality Series from Alpine Labs Is the First Acquisition for Cinedigms New Streaming Network CON TV
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM) has acquired Alpine Labs hybrid competition reality series FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, the first original series acquisition for CON TV, Cinedigms 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 undeads 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 Cinedigms 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; Alpines Kevin Abrams, Jamie Denenberg, BlackBoxTVs Tony E. Valenzuela, and Aaron Lewis are Executive Producers, Revolvers Nick Phillips and Kelly Martin Wagner are Co-Executive Producers.
We think FIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is a killer concept, says Erick Opeka, Cinedigms EVP of Digital Networks. The series is a brilliant way to kick-off CON TVs 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 Alpines 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 Jeanas 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 five YouTube 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 Kays 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 Cinedigms 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 Wiza
