Above Average Productions
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Digital media, Comedy |
| Founded | June 2012 |
| Founder | Broadway Video |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Jennifer Danielson (President) |
| Products | Online comedic shorts, web series, digital content |
| Owner | Broadway Video |
| Website | www |
Above Average Productions operates as a digital comedy distributor and multi-channel network under the ownership of Broadway Video. By February 1, 2016, the network amassed more than 8.6 million subscribers and accumulated 2.4 billion views on YouTube.
Above Average
Functioning as the digital division of Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video, Above Average Productions traces its current incarnation back to 2012, despite a namesake company from the late 1970s that produced television specials.
The inception of Above Average Productions occurred in June 2012, following Broadway Video’s initiative to produce 7 Minutes in Heaven, a web series created by Saturday Night Live writer Mike O'Brien, featuring celebrity interviews conducted inside a closet. The series’ popularity and internal enthusiasm at Broadway Video prompted the revival of the Above Average brand as a specialized multichannel network. Jennifer Danielson holds the position of president.
In 2018, Above Average collaborated with NBC to develop the Snapchat series How Low Will You Go.
The company’s main office is located in New York City.
The Kicker
In October 2015, Above Average joined forces with SNL co-head writer Bryan Tucker to establish The Kicker, a sports comedy brand producing original videos, articles, images, and other digital content consistent with Above Average’s comedic style.
Content
Above Average Productions focuses on creating primarily online comedic shorts that combine sophisticated satire with elements of lowbrow humor. It acts as a launchpad for emerging comedic talents such as Ilana Glazer and Sasheer Zamata, who gained recognition here before moving on to significant television opportunities. The network frequently collaborates across its channels and other Broadway Video branches, sharing creative personnel including actors, writers, and directors.
While YouTube remains its main promotional platform, Above Average also distributes content through outlets like Hulu and Yahoo, maintaining an emphasis on high-quality web programming. Additionally, the company has produced an animated pilot titled Waco Valley for Comedy Central and has been involved in advertising campaigns for brands including Lexus, Oreos, and Mastercard.
Among its channel partners are The Lonely Island, Jay Pharoah, Mike O'Brien—creator of 7 Minutes in Heaven—POYKPAC, Melissa Hunter (known for Adult Wednesday Addams), Dave and Ethan, and the Harvard Sailing Team.
Above Average hosts a portfolio of 77 original series such as 7 Minutes in Heaven, Alec Baldwin's Love Ride, Cool Kids' Table, Forgotten Assholes of History, Hudson Valley Ballers, I Wanna Have Your Baby, Is This Okay?, Paulilu Mixtape, Sound Advice, The Idiot's Guide to Smart People, Thingstarter, and Waco Valley.
Initially released as short web episodes, these segments were later compiled into 22-minute episodes spanning six seasons with 15 episodes each.
Television appearances
- The Paul Simon Special (1979)
- Bob & Ray, Jane, Laraine & Gilda (1979)
- 80 Blocks from Tiffany's (1979)
- Neil Young in Berlin (1983)
- The Best of John Belushi (1985)
- The Chronic Rift: Jules Verne & H.G. Wells (1990–)
- The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch (2004)
- As the Fire Pit Burns (2016)