OBB Media
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Multimedia production, Content studio |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | Michael D. Ratner |
| Headquarters | West Hollywood, California , United States |
Area served | Global |
Key people | Michael D. Ratner (Founder) |
| Products | Film, television, digital content, podcasts, branded content, social impact initiatives |
OBB Media is a U.S.-based multimedia production enterprise and fully integrated content studio established in 2016 by producer and entrepreneur Michael D. Ratner. The company encompasses five divisions: OBB Pictures (focused on film, television, and digital content), OBB Studios (handling physical production and studio facilities), OBB Sound (dedicated to podcast creation), OBB Branded (specializing in branded content and advertising), and OBB Cares (centered on social impact initiatives).
Among its prominent works are the Grammy-nominated Justin Bieber: Our World and Seasons; the documentary Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil; Kevin Hart’s series Cold As Balls; Netflix’s comedy show Historical Roasts; and Hailey Bieber’s digital series Who’s In My Bathroom?.
Operating from its headquarters in West Hollywood, California, OBB Studios manages sound stages and post-production services located in Hollywood, California.
History
OBB Media was founded in 2016 by Michael D. Ratner and serves as the parent organization for its subsidiaries: OBB Pictures, OBB Sound, OBB Branded, and OBB Cares. The company produces content across television, digital platforms, film, podcasts, branded entertainment, and social impact projects, engaging a global audience exceeding 2 billion viewers.
OBB Pictures
As the division responsible for film, television, and digital media within OBB Media, OBB Pictures holds a significant multi-year non-exclusive agreement with the Walt Disney Company to develop documentaries, docu-series, original programming, and unscripted content.
TV/Digital
In February 2018, OBB Pictures debuted Cold As Balls on the Laugh Out Loud Network, featuring Kevin Hart conducting interviews with athletes and celebrities while immersed in cold tubs. The series has accumulated more than 1.5 billion views and commenced its tenth season in March 2024 with episodes produced live.
In 2019, OBB produced Netflix's comedic series Historical Roasts, starring Jeff Ross and based on a live performance format whose rights were initially optioned by OBB prior to the Netflix partnership. That same year, they also produced The Harder Way for ESPN+, executive produced by LeBron James alongside his SpringHill company.
Early in 2020, the docu-series Justin Bieber: Seasons premiered after being sold for upwards of $20 million, breaking records for YouTube Originals viewership. Additionally, OBB created Bieber’s "Intentions" music video under Ratner’s direction. In October 2020, they followed up with the documentary Justin Bieber: Next Chapter.
June 2020 marked the announcement of a four-part YouTube documentary about Demi Lovato titled Dancing with the Devil, which premiered at SXSW in March 2021. This series delves into Lovato’s overdose experience and subsequent recovery journey.
In 2021, a collaboration with Hailey Bieber launched her YouTube channel featuring short-form content such as Who's in my Bathroom?, which gained one million subscribers within six weeks. That year also saw the release of season five of Cold as Balls, which attracted over ten million views. Furthermore, OBB distributed exclusive Apple Music specials including Elton John’s Inside the Lockdown Sessions and Adele’s The 30 Interview.
February 2022 introduced The Game Plan with Shaquille O'Neal on TNT, highlighting Shaq’s mentorship of entrepreneurs seeking business opportunities. Later that year, OBB teamed up with HeartBeat Productions to announce Storytown, an adult animated hip-hop comedy series for HBO Max.
Also in 2022, OBB Media renewed its multi-year development agreement with Walt Disney Television Alternative to produce documentaries and unscripted projects aimed at Gen Z and millennial audiences across Disney's platforms.
In 2023, Hailey Bieber and OBB unveiled What’s In My Kitchen?, a spin-off from her earlier popular series. That year also featured a partnership with Spotify to produce Billions Club: The Series, showcasing artists such as Ariana Grande and Bad Bunny. This series earned accolades including Best Social Video Series and People's Voice for Best Branded Video Series at the 2024 Webby Awards.
Later in 2023, two holiday specials were released by OBB Pictures: A Very Demi Holiday with Demi Lovato for Roku and the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Special aired on ABC and Hulu. The latter included performances from Olivia Rodrigo and SZA and attracted an audience of 9.5 million viewers during its two-hour broadcast.
Film
In 2016, OBB Pictures created Gonzo @ the Derby for ESPN's 30 for 30 series, a documentary capturing Hunter S. Thompson’s Kentucky Derby experience. Directed by Michael D. Ratner and narrated by Sean Penn, the film provided an intimate look at Thompson’s journey. That same year, OBB Pictures debuted the Netflix documentary One In A Billion, which highlights the story of the NBA’s first Indian player through the lens of basketball.
OBB Pictures returned in 2021 with Justin Bieber: Our World, released on Amazon Prime Video. Directed by Ratner, this film centers on Bieber’s comeback to live performances after a three-year hiatus and was nominated for Best Music Film at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
In 2023, OBB announced its production of Child Star, marking Demi Lovato’s directorial debut. This documentary delves into the complexities of childhood fame and features Lovato alongside other former child celebrities. Scheduled for exclusive streaming on Hulu in 2024, it promises an insightful exploration of early stardom. That year also saw OBB preview Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa at the Toronto Film Festival. Netflix secured distribution rights for a 2024 release. Directed by two-time Academy Award nominee Lucy Walker, this film profiles Everest’s most accomplished female climber, highlighting her balance between rigorous training and family support while working at Whole Foods.
In February 2024, OBB released Kids Are Growing Up: A Story About A Kid Named LAROI on Prime Video, documenting the meteoric rise of the young artist.
OBB Studios
OBB Media launched OBB Studios in January 2023, establishing a 15,000-square-foot production facility located in Hollywood, CA. The space houses two sound stages along with thirteen auxiliary rooms including hair and makeup stations, wardrobe areas, green rooms, conference facilities, and open-plan workspaces. Post-production amenities are comprehensive, featuring a mixing room, color grading suite, offline editing bays, and a vocal booth designed for ADR, voiceover work, and live music recording.
The studio's grand opening event showcased performances by The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber.
OBB Sound
Founded in 2019 as part of OBB Media’s growth strategy, OBB Sound specializes in creating podcasts spanning sports, music, and talk genres in both scripted and unscripted formats.
Key productions include The Pursuit of Healthiness with Blake Griffin, a health-focused podcast that aired multiple seasons on Audible and earned a Webby nomination; seasons two and three of Ashley Graham’s Pretty Big Deal; and Country Shine with Graham Bunn, a country music podcast released twice weekly on Spotify.
In 2021, OBB Sound collaborated with Rolling Stone to launch Too Long; Didn't Watch, hosted by chief TV critic Alan Sepinwall. That same year marked a multi-project agreement with Audible, resulting in original audio content such as the scripted horror podcast The Glowing.
OBB Sound also partnered with Cadence 13 and Demi Lovato to produce 4D with Demi Lovato, a weekly podcast exploring themes of identity and activism that received a GLAAD Special Recognition Award in 2022. Additionally, it produced IN GOOD FAITH, hosted by Chelsea and Judah Smith, founders of Churchome.
In 2022, OBB Sound reintroduced The Zach Sang Radio Show as an interview-format podcast alongside its daily radio broadcast on Amazon’s Amp app. That year also saw the debut of the scripted audio sitcom Kym, co-produced with Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad for Audible. Inspired by actor-comedian Kym Whitley, it was recognized among the top ten best new podcasts by both Variety and Audible.
Further collaboration between OBB Sound and Rolling Stone produced Musicians on Musicians, featuring dialogues between artists such as RM and Pharrell Williams, Finneas and Rick Rubin, as well as Rina Sawayama and Shania Twain.
In 2024, OBB Sound introduced the comedy podcast How to Break Up By Text, hosted by Allison Goldberg.
OBB Branded
OBB Branded serves as the branded content and commercial production arm of OBB Media. This division has developed projects for prominent clients such as Apple Music, Rhode, Airbnb, Glenlivet, Lexus, LG, Michelin, Old Spice, Red Bull, Tinder, PointsBet Australia, GoPuff, Kylie Cosmetics, and 818 Tequila.
Among its notable works is the production of the series Inside Kylie Cosmetics, which highlights Kylie Jenner and the inner workings of her beauty brand.
OBB Cares
OBB Cares represents the social impact branch of OBB Media, focused on fostering meaningful social progress through its capabilities. It promotes civic engagement through initiatives like Levi’s 2022 voter education campaign on Vote Early Day, the 2020 “#VoteWithUS” effort featuring Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato, and the 2022 nationwide “I am a voter." PSA starring Hailey Bieber shown in AMC Theatres.
This division also supports nonprofit causes by creating impactful content such as Justin Bieber’s 2020 Intentions music video in collaboration with SB Projects and Universal Music, aiding Alexandria House’s mission to provide safe housing for women and children.
Committed to minimizing environmental footprints during production, OBB Cares partners with Green Spark Group and advocates for climate action through the Good Energy Project. In collaboration with Hailey Bieber’s What’s In My Kitchen?, it sourced ingredients from Community Services Unlimited, a local food justice organization, while raising awareness about food waste.
Furthermore, OBB Cares coordinated a $100,000 microlending contribution from HexClad to Accion Opportunity Fund aimed at supporting women- and minority-owned small businesses within the food and beverage industry.
Awards
2020 |Streamy Awards |Best Documentary |Justin Bieber: Seasons |Nominee | 2020 |Streamy Awards |Best Branded Content Series |Cold As Balls with Kevin Hart |Nominee | 2019 |Streamy Awards |Best Branded Content Series |Cold As Balls with Kevin Hart |Nominee | 2019 |Clio Awards |Sports |Blake Vs. Todd |Winner | 2018 |Streamy Awards |Sports |Cold As Balls with Kevin Hart |Winner | 2018 |The Telly Awards ||The Fifth Quarter |Winner | 2016 |Tribeca Film Festival |Official Selection |Gonzo @ the Derby |Nominee | 2015 |Sundance Film Festival |Official Selection |In Football We Trust |Nominee | 2014 |Tribeca Film Festival |Official Selection |The 30 Year Old Bris |Nominee || Year | Organization | Category | Nomination | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Webby Awards | Best Social Video Series | Spotify's Billions Club: The Series | Winner |
| 2024 | Webby Awards | Best Social Video Series | Spotify's Billions Club: The Series | People’s Voice Award Winner |
| 2022 | Grammy Awards | Best Music Film | Justin Bieber: Our World | Nominee |
| 2022 | Streamy Awards | Crossover | Hailey Rhode Bieber | Nominee |
| 2022 | GLAAD Media Awards | Special Recognition Award | 4D With Demi Lovato | Winner |
| 2021 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Video for Good | Demi Lovato: Dancing With The Devil | Nominee |
| 2021 | YouTube Creator Awards | Silver & Gold Creator Award | Hailey Rhode Bieber | Recipient |
| 2021 | SXSW Festival | Opening Night Headlining Film | Demi Lovato: Dancing With The Devil | Nominee |
| 2021 | "Justin Bieber: Our World" | Nominee | ||
| 2021 | "Demi Lovato: Dancing With The Devil" | Nominee | ||
| 2021 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Music Documentary | "Demi Lovato: Dancing With The Devil" | Nominee |
| 2020 |
Best Pop Video| "Intentions" – Justin Bieber ft. Quavo| Nominee| |
TV Series
| Year | Title | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Blake’s Comedy | |
| 2018 | The Fifth Quarter | |
| 2018 | Cold as Balls | Seasons 1-8; Peacock & LOL Network |
| 2019 | Can I Borrow You for a Moment? | Hulu |
| 2019 | Roasts Through History | Netflix |
| 2020 | Justin Bieber: Seasons | YouTube Originals |
| 2020 | A Season with Memphis Tigers | ESPN+ |
| 2020 | &Music | Roku |
| 2021 | Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil | YouTube Originals |
| 2021 | Who’s in My Bathroom? Featuring Hailey Rhode Bieber | |
| 2021 | Inside Kylie Cosmetics | |
| 2021 | Adele: The Interview for The 30 | Apple Music |
| 2021 | Elton John: Behind the Lockdown Sessions | Apple Music |
| 2022 | The Game Plan with Shaquille O’Neal | TNT |
Films
| Year | Title | Notes | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 30 for 30: Gonzo at The Derby | Short documentary film | ESPN |
| 2016 | Ride Along | Short film production | Vice |
| 2016 | One in a Billion | Feature-length documentary | Netflix |
| 2020 | Justin Bieber: Next Chapter | Documentary special presentation | YouTube Originals |
| 2021 | Justin Bieber: Our World | Documentary feature film | Amazon Prime Video |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | "We Don’t" | "Ace Hood" |
| 2014 | "I Want The Love" | "Puff Daddy featuring Meek Mill" |
| 2020 | "Intentions" | "Justin Bieber featuring Quavo" |
| 2020 | "Changes: The Movement" | "Justin Bieber" |
| 2021 | "Dancing with the Devil" | "Demi Lovato" |