Base79


Rightster rebrands for content creation push

UK-based digital company Rightster is rebranding as Brave Bison as it prepares to reposition as a content-creating, social video broadcaster. The company previously provided various digital services to entertainment and advertising firms and had MCN assets through its £50 million (US$72.5 million) acquisition of Base79 in 2014, but is now creating an in-house production studio […]

Former YouTube exec to step down as Rightster CEO

Rightster CEO and former YouTube exec Patrick Walker is due to step down from his current role, after less than a year in charge of the multichannel network. Walker has told the board that he intends move to a non-executive role on the board as part of the transition, with Rightster naming founder and former […]

Rightster founder exits as Walker takes top post

The founding CEO of UK-based multichannel network Rightster, Charlie Muirhead, has stepped down from his post and will be succeeded by Patrick Walker. Muirhead founded Rightster in 2011 and led it to become the first publicly-listed MCN in November 2012. The firm last year acquired rival MCN Base79, whose chief content officer, Walker (below right), […]

Buyers Briefing digital season: news digest

As part of our new weekly Buyers Briefing feature, we run down the biggest news in the sector that best reflects our interviewee’s focus. This week, we look at the goings on in digital video after our chat with TalkTalk’s Will Ennett. Upcoming themed areas will include western European pay TV channels and Asian networks. […]

Rightster buys Base79 in £50m deal, YouTube co-founder joins

UK-based multichannel operator Rightster has acquired rival network Base79 in a deal that could be worth £50 million (US$85.7 million). At the same time, YouTube co-founder and former CEO Chad Hurley will join the Rightster advisory committee as the company positions for growth. Patrick Walker, the former senior director of YouTube EMEA who joined Base79 […]

YouTube gets original

With YouTube channels and their content providers toasted as the talk of MIPTV last week, multichannel operators, TV producers and analysts tell Jesse Whittock why original content is the key to monetising the emerging YouTube ecosystem. Question: What do a hyperactive Swedish video gamer, a geeky American comic duo and  DJ Avicii have in common? […]

Base79 trebles online video views

Base79, the UK-based network for video creators, content owners and brands, reached 92 million unique viewers globally in September – triple the number of views from the same time last year. The figure, taken from Comscore’s Worldwide YouTube partner report, puts Base79 ahead of other multichannel networks such as Machinima and Rightster, Base79 claims. The […]

YouTube channel operator gets cash injection from CAA-backed bank

Base79, the UK-based digital company that operates a swathe of YouTube channels, has received a cash injection from Evolution Media Capital, a boutique investment bank part-owned by the Creative Artists Agency. EMC’s investment division contributed the cash. A Base79 spokesman would not disclose how much the ‘multimillion’ dollar investment was for, but noted that last year […]

Peter Chernin buys into YouTube channel operator

Peter Chernin’s investment vehicle has bought a stake in Base79, the digital company that operates a bouquet of YouTube channels. The Chernin Group (TCG) has paid US$10 million for a 25% stake in the company, which said it will use the cash to invest in technology and to launch channels in new territories. The company […]