HBO Max Cultivates Innovative Kids Content Ordering Craftopia and Karma Straight to Series HBO Max
Competition Series Hosted by Social Media Mavens to Stream on the Highly Anticipated Direct to Consumer Offering
Michelle Khare
Host of Karma
Photo Credit: Tony Moux
Lauren Riihimaki
Host of Craftopia
Photo Credit: Lauren Riihimaki
LOS ANGELES - October 9, 2019 - HBO Max continues to expand its storehouse of exceptional content by ordering 8 episodes each of two unscripted kids competition series,Karma and Craftopia. Karma, an hour-long series, will be hosted by Michelle Khare, an extreme lifestyle enthusiast with almost 2 million followers on YouTube, and Craftopia, a half-hour series, will be hosted by Lauren Riihimaki, aka LaurDIY, one of YouTube's top creators with over 21 million followers across all her social platforms. Both social media gurus are known for inspiring their followers to think creatively and follow their dreams.
We are giving kids an opportunity to show us their absolute best as they strive for excellence in both challenging and creative situations, said Jennifer O'Connell, executive vice president, original content, HBO Max. With Michelle and Lauren at the helms, we are aiming to surprise and delight our young viewers. These shows are incredible additions to our growing list of HBO Max kids originals.
Karma, currently in production, takes sixteen contestants, ranging in age from 12 to 15, completely off the grid to solve puzzles and overcome physical challenges, with the laws of karma setting the rules. This adventure competition series hosted by YouTube sensation Michelle Khare, will test the mental and physical stamina of its young contestants as they unravel how their social actions impact their success in the game. Focus, giving, humility, growth, connection, change and patience are the path to becoming the Karma Champion. But more importantly, the players learn one of lifes most profound lessons: What you give out, you get back.
Karma is executive produced by JD Roth, Adam Greener and Sara Hansemenn for GoodStory Entertainment with Fred Pichel serving as showrunner and executive producer.
After over 30 years of making kids television, this partnership with HBO Max has given me the ability to make a show about something important -- Karma, said Roth. Teaching kids that the energy you put in is the energy you can expect to get back has been transformative. This show is a rare opportunity to entertain while teaching and I'm loving every minute of it!
Craftopia is an epic kids crafting competition show hosted and executive produced byLauren Riihimaki, who was deemed the millennial Martha Stewart by Forbes. On
Craftopia, 9 to 15-year old contestants put their imaginations to the test and make their crafting dreams come true in a magical studio. After racing to fill up their carts with inspiring materials from the studio store, crafters meet larger-than-life challenges, making the most amazing creations the world has ever seen. Production will begin later this year.
Craftopia is executive produced by Rhett Bachner and Brien Meagher for B17 Entertainment.
Kids are so incredibly inventive. They look at an empty cardboard box and a paper towel roll and see a pirate ship with a telescope. said Bachner and Meagher. So with Craftopia, we are thrilled to work with HBO Max to see what happens when we give ingenious kids a store full of every material imaginable.
About HBO Max
HBO Max is WarnerMedia's direct-to-consumer offering debuting in spring 2020. With 10,000 hours of curated premium content anticipated at launch, HBO Max will offer powerhouse programming for everyone in the home, bringing together HBO, a robust slate of new original series, key third-party licensed programs and movies, and fan favorites from Warner Media's rich library including Warner Bros., New Line, DC, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth, Looney Tunes and more. Sign up for updates at HBOMax.com.
About WarnerMedia
WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of talented storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands including: HBO, HBO Now, HBO Max, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and others. Warner Media is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T).
About GoodStory
GoodStory Entertainment is an unscripted production company founded in 2018 by award winning Executive Producers, JD Roth and Adam Greener, in partnership with Entertainment Executive, Scooter Braun and powerhouse management company, SB Projects. GoodStory specializes in unscripted television and documentary film anchored in transformational storytelling that puts humanity at the forefront. Together, JD & Adam have produced thousands of hours of television both domestically and internationally.
About JD Roth
JD Roth is an award-winning producer who co-founded 3 Ball Productions in 2001 and went on to create some of the biggest reality TV franchises to date. Roth is credited with introducing the world to the concept of transformation television - programming that celebrates the ability of people to make real changes and improve their lives. Roth brought weight loss television to the forefront more than a decade ago with the creation of The Biggest Loser on NBC - now a worldwide, half-billion dollar brand in addition to kids reality competition Endurance, which had 7 seasons with several Emmy nominations. Roth's other hits include NBC's For Love and Money, FOX's Master Chef, Spike TV's Bar Rescue, ABC's Extreme Weight Loss and Discovery's Flying Wild in Alaska.
About B-17 Entertainment
B-17 Entertainment
