Awesomeness (company)
| File:AwesomenessTV Logo.png | |
| AwesomenessTV | |
| Company type | Division |
| Founded | July 2012 |
| Founders | |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Parent |
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| Divisions |
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| Website | Official website (now redirects to the Paramount Global website) |
AwesomenessTV Holdings, LLC, commonly referred to as Awesomeness, is a U.S.-based digital media and entertainment enterprise owned by Paramount Global. Established in July 2012 by Brian Robbins and Joe Davola, the company initially specialized in creating content such as children’s programming, teen dramas, comedies, live events, and music videos aimed at adolescent and young adult viewers.
Originating as a YouTube channel and a multi-channel network, Awesomeness broadened its scope to include talent representation, branded entertainment, music production, publishing ventures, and retail operations. In 2013, the firm was acquired by DreamWorks Animation. The following year, Hearst Communications secured a 25% minority ownership. Then in 2016, Verizon Communications purchased approximately a 25% stake for $159 million, valuing the company at $650 million; this deal was accompanied by a multi-year content agreement for Verizon's streaming platform go90.
Following NBCUniversal’s purchase of DreamWorks Animation and the subsequent shutdown of go90, Viacom acquired Awesomeness in 2018 for roughly $50 million—a notable decrease from its previous valuation. Since that acquisition, the studio has redirected its efforts toward producing long-form television series and films tailored for over-the-top streaming platforms with an emphasis on engaging generation Z audiences.
Origins
In July 2012, entrepreneurs Brian Robbins and Joe Davola introduced AwesomenessTV as part of the YouTube Original Channel Initiative, focusing on developing web-based series targeted at tweens and teenagers. Robbins recognized a shift in media consumption habits among younger demographics, who increasingly favored brief online videos over traditional television programming.
Robbins brought significant industry expertise from his work on series such as One Tree Hill, Smallville, and Nickelodeon's All That. Additionally, he produced the independent film Fred: The Movie (2009), inspired by YouTube creator Lucas Cruikshank's character Fred Figglehorn—this film went on to become Nickelodeon's highest-rated basic cable movie among youth in 2010 and spawned a franchise.
The channel launched with an initial slate of 15 shows including the talk show IMO;, stunt-focused programs like The Blow-Up Guys, teen drama The Runaways, and Awesomeness Sports, which featured both professional athletes and youth competitors. Co-founder Davola compared the channel’s debut to MTV’s early appeal, emphasizing its resonance with young viewers.
In November 2012, Brett Bouttier was appointed as chief operating officer. By December of that year, AwesomenessTV had established a multi-channel network aimed at similar audience segments.
2013–2018: DreamWorks and Verizon
On May 1, 2013, DreamWorks Animation revealed plans to purchase AwesomenessTV for $33 million, aiming to merge it with DWA’s intellectual properties through a specialized YouTube channel. By October of the same year, AwesomenessTV collaborated with Seventeen to oversee its YouTube content.
In April 2014, AwesomenessTV expanded by acquiring the multi-channel network and talent management firm Big Frame for $15 million, appointing former Claire's CEO James Fielding to spearhead a newly formed consumer products division. Two months later, in June 2014, the company launched DreamWorksTV, showcasing programming derived from DreamWorks franchises such as Shrek alongside classics from the DreamWorks catalog. In July, Awesomeness Music was introduced in partnership with Universal Music Group.
September 2014 marked AwesomenessTV’s debut into consumer merchandise with a teen apparel collection co-branded with Kohl's, inspired by its web series Life's S.o. R.a.d.. The following month, the company debuted its publishing arm AwesomenessInk and secured a Netflix agreement to produce a live-action sitcom based on Richie Rich. By December, Hearst Corporation had acquired a 25% ownership stake for $81.25 million, enhancing strategic collaborations.
In June 2015, former Lionsgate executive Matt Kaplan joined as president of Awesomeness Films. August brought an output partnership with Canadian media company DHX Media, co-developing original projects while DHX handled international distribution and merchandising; their content was broadcast on DHX’s Family Channel.
On April 6, 2016, Verizon Communications purchased a 24.5% interest in AwesomenessTV for $159 million, valuing the enterprise at $650 million. This included a multi-year $180 million commitment granting Verizon exclusive U.S. distribution rights and intentions to launch a branded subscription video service targeting mobile audiences.
Later that year, on April 28, Universal Pictures announced its acquisition of DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion, finalized on August 22. On February 22, 2017, Brian Robbins resigned as CEO of AwesomenessTV. By November 1, Kelly Day departed as Chief Business Officer to head Viacom Digital Studios.
In February 2017, plans for the premium content service with Verizon were abandoned, redirecting resources toward Verizon’s go90 platform.
2018–present: Paramount Global
After an unsuccessful debut, Verizon discontinued go90 in July 2018. Content investments involving AwesomenessTV accounted for roughly 40% of the studio’s revenue, raising questions about its viability without Verizon’s support. The acquisition of DreamWorks Animation (DWA) by Universal Pictures—owned by Verizon rival Comcast—stirred industry tensions due to competition between Verizon and Comcast.
As Comcast, parent company of NBCUniversal, directly competed with Verizon, both companies opted against forming a joint venture. The exits of Brian Robbins and DWA CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg diminished the partnership’s appeal for Verizon, while Comcast considered the venture less strategic compared to other digital investments like BuzzFeed. Under incoming CEO Jordan Levin, plans were made to downsize operations.
On July 25, 2018, Viacom announced negotiations to acquire AwesomenessTV at a significant discount from its $650 million valuation in 2016. Two days later, Viacom completed the acquisition for approximately $50 million plus debt assumption. Following the purchase, DreamWorksTV was absorbed into NBCUniversal Direct-to-Consumer and Digital Enterprises. Jordan Levin stepped down as CEO after the transaction.
Since joining Viacom Digital Studios, the brand has been rebranded simply as Awesomeness and shifted focus toward subscription video-on-demand platforms such as Hulu, Netflix, and Paramount+, catering primarily to Generation Z audiences. Key productions include Netflix’s To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Hulu’s Emmy-nominated series PEN15. Additionally, Viacom launched an Awesomeness-branded channel on Pluto TV after acquiring the streaming service in early 2019.
Awesomeness Films
On June 23, 2015, AwesomenessTV broadened its operational scope by inaugurating a film division, thereby augmenting its entertainment product and service portfolio.
Awesomeness News
In 2017, AwesomenessTV further expanded its reach by establishing a news division, aiming to capture new audience segments and enhance its presence within the industry.
Awesomeness Ink
Awesomeness launched Awesomeness Ink on October 14, 2014, a digital publishing branch focused on young adult content, enriching its content lineup and fostering growth in digital media ventures.
Current Shows
| Years | Title | Co-production Partner | Broadcasting Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–present | My Dream Quinceañera | None | AwesomenessTV (2015–19) Paramount+ (2022) |
| 2020–present | Next Influencer | None | AwesomenessTV (2020–21) Paramount+ (2022) |
| 2023–present | School Spirits | None | Paramount+ |
| 2023–present | XO, Kitty | ACE Entertainment | Netflix |
| 2023–present | Love Allways | None | Paramount+ |
Concluded Shows
| Years | Title | Co-production Partner(s) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–15 | AwesomenessTV | Nickelodeon Productions | Nickelodeon |
| 2015 | Richie Rich | DreamWorks Animation (Harvey Entertainment) |
Netflix |
| 2015–17 | Project Mc2 | MGA Entertainment | |
| Guidance | None | go90 | |
| 2016–18 | Foursome | YouTube Red | |
| 2016–17 | T@gged | 'go90 (2016–17) Hulu (2018)' |
|
| 2016–17 | '‘Freakish’’' | 'Hulu' | |
| 2018 | '‘My Dead Ex’’' | 'go90' | |
| '2018–19' | '‘Light as a Feather’’' | 'Grammnet Productions Wattpad Studios' |
'Hulu' |
| '2018' | '‘All Night’’' | 'None' | 'Hulu' |
| '2018' | '‘Overthinking with Kat & June’’' | 'YouTube Premium' | 'Hulu' |
| '2019–21' | '‘PEN15’’' | 'Lonely Island Classics Odenkirk Provissiero Family Version' |
'Hulu' |
| '2019–20' | '‘Trinkets’’' | 'Two Blocks Apart Productions' | 'Netflix' |
| '2020' | '‘Niki and Gabi Take Bahamas’’' | 'None' | 'AwesomenessTV' |
| '2021' | '‘Drama Club’’' | 'Nickelodeon Productions' | 'Nickelodeon' |
Film Productions
| Release Date | Title | Production Partners | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 21, 2014 | Terry the Tomboy | Nickelodeon Productions | Nickelodeon |
| December 12, 2014 | Expelled | None | 20th Century Fox |
| July 24, 2015 | Smosh: The Movie | Smosh Productions Defy Media |
"20th Century Fox (North America) Netflix (International)" |
| October 11, 2016 | Shovel Buddies | Awesomeness Films Film 360 Entertainment 360 |
"20th Century Fox" |
| January 21, 2017 | Before I Fall | Awesomeness Films Jon Shestack Productions |
"Open Road Films" |
| June 23, 2017 | "You Get Me" | Awesomeness Films | "Netflix" |
| August 17, 2018 | To All the Boys I've Loved Before | Awesomeness Films Overbrook Entertainment |
"Netflix" |
| April 12, 2019 | The Perfect Date | Awesomeness Films Ace Entertainment |
"Netflix" |
| February 12, 2020 | To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You | Awesomeness Films Ace Entertainment |
"Netflix" |
| October 6, 2020 | Spontaneous | Awesomeness Films Jurassic Party Productions |
"Paramount Pictures" |
| February 12, 2021 | To All the Boys: Always and Forever | Awesomeness Films Ace Entertainment |
"Netflix" |
| September 3, 2021 | The J Team | Nickelodeon Movies Jojo Siwa Inc. |
"Paramount+" |
| July 29, 2022 | Honor Society | Awesomeness Films Guardian Pictures |
"Paramount+" |
| July 27, 2023 | Zoey 102 | Nickelodeon Movies Awesomeness Films |
"Paramount+" |
| November 22, 2023 | Good Burger 2 | Nickelodeon Movies Awesomeness Films Artists for Artists |
"Paramount+" |
| March 7, 2024 | The Thundermans Return | Nickelodeon Movies Awesomeness Films Cross Hoge Productions Dworkingham Productions Uptown Productions |
"Nickelodeon (broadcast) and Paramount+ (streaming)" |