Barcroft to produce US shows with Complex Networks

Youth-focused media group Complex Networks and UK-based Barcroft Media will coproduce original programmes in the US.

Complex in its current guise was form last year after telco Verizon and publisher Hearst jointly acquired Complex Media in a bid to attract younger, pop culture-influenced millennials audiences.

The company has now struck a multi-year advertising and content deal with Barcroft, which produces for both its online channels and factual channels.

The deal will see Barcroft and Complex developing and coproducing original shows for the latter’s channels, namely Complex, Collider, First We Feast and Rated Red. These take a combined 500 million views a month and makes Complex a leading online publisher.

Complex’s in-house sales team will also sell targetted advertising in the US against premium Barcroft content from the Barcroft TV YouTube channel.

This latest deal for Barcroft comes after recent agreements with Roku, Rumble and Sina Weibo.

The Barcroft TV online channel has 2.7 million YouTube subs.

“Barcroft’s sensibility in developing programming that engages with younger viewers aligns with our brand approach,” said Scott Cherkin, executive VP of product and business development for Complex.

“We’re pleased to be working with them to create exciting programming for our audiences and expanding their advertising reach in the U.S. with key demos.”