Break acquires HBOlab

Online video platform Break Media has acquired HBOlab, the premium cable network’s digital production studio.

The deal will see Break Media, which operates the male skewing entertainment site break.com and produces online series such as Bro Search and What Would Kimbo Do?, acquire HBOlab’s library, current slate of productions, a number of employees and its spin off company Runawaybox.com.

HBOlab has produced a number of original online series including Hooking Up, which stars lonelygirl15 Jessica Rose and Runaway Joke of the Day, while Runawaybox has produced series including Man in the Box and Elevator.

The digital arm, which was set up a few years, however, has floundered recently and has found it difficult to repeat the success of the premium cable network’s TV productions online.

Meanwhile, Break is keen to push the original production side of its business and has produced a number of projects with Endemol and Saw-producers Twisted Pictures. This acquisition will increase such moves and will likely see it launch a raft of new web productions.