Bear Grylls, Barcroft launch on YouTube net

Adventurer Bear Grylls is partnering with UK production group Barcroft Media to create a adrenaline-fuelled YouTube channel.

Bear Grylls Adventure launches on November 28 as a joint venture of Bear Grylls Ventures and Barcroft, and will feature adventure-themed content from around the world.

Powered by Barcroft’s YouTube channel Barcroft TV, the channel will include bespoke shorts, clip introductions and behind-the-scenes footage featuring Grylls, who is best known for shows such as Running Wild and The Island.

It will also include long-form programming licensed from third-party distributors and producers. Furthermore, it will offer a range of brand involvement opportunities, including advertiser-funded programming.

“Combining world class talent like Bear with Barcroft Media’s ability to reach huge global audiences on YouTube is a no-brainer,” said Barcroft CEO and founder Sam Barcroft.

“Bear Grylls has developed a huge legion of fans around the world, all of whom are native online video consumers. We’re looking forward to making Bear Grylls Adventure the leading channel in its field.”

“I am super excited to launch Bear Grylls Adventure as it is such a fun natural way to connect with our great community of like minded adventure lovers around the world,” said Grylls. “No TV execs to appease – just the cool, mind-blowing stories that inspire our team and me.”

Barcroft plans to cross-promote the channel with its Barcroft TV and Barcroft Cars channels, while Grylls will shre regular updates from the net to his followers on Facebook and Twitter.