SANTA MONICA: Lionsgate and actor/comedian Kevin Hart have entered into a partnership that will see the launch of a new OTT platform, Laugh Out Loud, and social adventure mobile game initiatives.
The studio has formed a partnership with Hart and his company, Hartbeat Digital, to launch a new video-on-demand service, Laugh Out Loud. The OTT service will serve as the exclusive home for all content created by Hart outside his theatrical and live touring activities and will include original series starring Hart. One of the first shows being developed is a hidden-camera premium original series in which Hart stars as an undercover Lyft driver.
The two will also work together to create a new social adventure mobile tablet game. Lionsgate will join with Hart and game developer Fifth Journey to create a social adventure mobile game starring and written in collaboration with Hart. Players become comedic rock stars with Hart as their mentor, embarking on adventures that include touring the country, starring in movies, hosting award shows and more.
Codeblack CEO Jeff Clanagan, who has served as Hart’s business partner for the past ten years, has been named president of the new service as well as president of Hartbeat Digital.
“Lionsgate has always been a great partner of mine, and I’m more than excited to take our business and creative relationship to new levels,” said Hart. “I understand the direction in which the television business is headed, and I see this big new space toward which audiences are starting to gravitate. I believe that launching this venture together now puts us ahead of the pack.”
“Kevin is one of the biggest stars in the world, and we’re proud to kick off our partnership with a new OTT platform as well as a mobile game, extending a collaboration that began with the film Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain,” said Lionsgate’s CEO, Jon Feltheimer. “He is an incredibly versatile talent who will bring his unique comedic voice to Laugh Out Loud’s entire spectrum of original content, and his ever-expanding global fan base gives both initiatives tremendous growth potential. Nobody understands how to continue extending Kevin’s brand better than Jeff Clanagan, and we’re pleased that he will lead the new platform’s growth.”
“During his rise to global superstardom, Kevin has not only emerged as a singular and visionary talent but as an incredibly successful entrepreneur with tremendous business instincts that match his prodigious creative skills,” added Clanagan. “The Kevin Hart brand speaks for itself, and his combination of creative brilliance and financial acumen position Laugh Out Loud and his social game to continue expanding his global fan base while introducing his comedic genius to a whole new online audience.”
