YouTube Red orders batch of new originals

Subscription video service YouTube Red has ordered a live action kids series featuring YouTube star Colin Furze, a pair of scripted series and a competition format.

Production on 9 Story Media Group-produced Furze World Wonders has begun ahead of an autumn launch on the online subscription service.

YouTube Red has also ordered a Dwayne Johnson sci-fi drama Lifeline, an eSports-themed comedy from Community creator Dan Harmon’s Starburns Industries called Good Game, and competition reality series Lace Up: The Ultimate Sneaker Challenge.

Furze World Wonders will follow YouTube star and extreme inventor Furze as he helps people create “epic and outrageous” builds such as the world’s largest water rocket.

Barry Davis (Vegas Rat Rods) is producing, with Jeff Thrasher (Amazing Race Canada) directing and Furze executive producing. 9 Story’s Vince Commisso, Tanya Green and Natalie Dumoulin are also producing.

The series will run to ten half-hours, and is being shot in various locations around the world and in Toronto, where Wild Kratts company 9 Story is based.

“Innovation and imagination are at the heart of what YouTube Red is all about,” said Nadine Zylstra, head of family entertainment and learning for YouTube Originals.

“Colin Furze is a dynamic personality and we’re excited to bring his unique brand of entertainment and inspiration to YouTube Red with this new series.”

Good Game, which debuts on August 30, will follow a team of eSports players trying to make it to the top. Dan Avidan and Arin Ganson star alongside Michele Morrow.

Lace Up comrs from veteran producer Ken Mok and trainers designer D’Wayne Edwards. YouTube star Swoozie will host, overseeing a competition that pits aspiring footwear creators against each other.

Lifelime, from Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions and Studio71, is set in not-too-distant future, following an insurance firm that sends agents forwards 33 days to prevent the deaths of clients. Zach Gilford and Sydney Park star.

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