Legendary creates Geek & Sundry SVOD platform

Legendary Entertainment’s digital wing has created a subscription on-demand platform for the LA studio’s Geek & Sundry subsidiary brand.

Alpha is being billed as a “standalone membership video platform”, which will include exclusive content from Geek & Sundry and sister brand Nerdist, and interactive elements.

Legendary Digital Networks, which houses Geek & Sundry and Nerdist, is creating the platform, and plans to launch it later this year. Users will be able to vote on content, talk with hosts and possibly appear on-screen doing shows.

Programming details are not yet set, but will include “live programming with celebrities, games shows where you could be the contestant, and scripted stories where you will have a hand in the outcome”.

“I’m thrilled to have Geek & Sundry unified with Nerdist under this innovative new platform that provides an environment for fans to celebrate the things they love in a way not seen before,” said Felicia Day, who founded of Geek & Sundry.

Its establishment is the latest example of how media businesses are aiming directly at millennial audiences with targeted, paid-for video services.

Actress and producer Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Supernatural) created Geek & Sundry in April 2012 as a YouTube channel and multiplatform studio for geek culture.

The network has gone on to become one of the most influential online content brands, with YouTube subscriptions currently standing at nearly 1.4 million. Film and TV producer Legendary bought it in August 2014.

Nerdist, meanwhile, began life as a Chris Hardwick (The Talking Dead) geek culture podcast, but has expanded to become a premium YouTube channel and a TV series on US cable channel BBC America.

It became part of the Legendary group in 2012.