SourceFed Studios
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Digital media, Multi-channel network |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Philip DeFranco |
| Fate | Operations terminated in 2017 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Worldwide (via YouTube) |
Key people | Philip DeFranco (founder), Joe Bereta, Elliott Morgan, Lee Newton, Trisha Hershberger, Meg Turney, Steve Zaragoza |
| Products | Online video content, YouTube channels (SourceFed, SourceFedNerd, People Be Like, Super Panic Frenzy, ForHumanPeoples/Nuclear Family) |
| Parent | Group Nine Media (from 2016) |
SourceFed Studios was a digital media enterprise based in the United States and operated as a multi-channel network. It was established in 2011 by Philip DeFranco. Following the success of DeFranco's own news program, he obtained funding from YouTube to launch SourceFed within the framework of the YouTube Original Channel Initiative in 2012.
Emerging as a prominent YouTube-funded channel, SourceFed introduced the spin-off SourceFedNerd in 2013, which targeted enthusiasts of nerd culture. Subsequently, DeFranco transferred ownership of his DeFranco Creative portfolio, including SourceFed, to Revision3, a branch of Discovery Digital Networks (DDN). Under this management, additional affiliated channels were developed, such as SourceFedNerd, People Be Like, Super Panic Frenzy, and ForHumanPeoples (which was later renamed Nuclear Family).
In 2016, Discovery Digital Networks merged Revision3 into Seeker and rebranded DeFranco Creative as SourceFed Studios. Later that year, both Seeker and SourceFed Studios were acquired by Group Nine Media. By March 2017, Group Nine terminated the operations of SourceFed Studios’ YouTube channels. Although SourceFedNerd briefly transitioned to NowThis Nerd, it reverted following negative audience feedback. Despite ceasing activity, these channels remain available online.
Origins and establishment (2011–2012)
The concept behind SourceFed was developed by Philip DeFranco as an extension of his YouTube series The Philip DeFranco Show (PDS). Initially intending to segment his daily broadcast, DeFranco shifted focus to creating a distinct series aimed at broadening his viewer base. At this stage, he also planned to launch a dedicated news network.
In late 2011, YouTube introduced a $100 million investment initiative for original premium content channels. As a YouTube partner, DeFranco secured funding for SourceFed, inspired by a blog sharing the same name. He negotiated to maintain creative control by accepting reduced financial support and initially committed to producing content centered on celebrity news within a single-show format. DeFranco handpicked the original six hosts. The channel officially debuted on January 23, 2012.
SourceFed rapidly garnered a large subscriber following, establishing itself as a significant player in digital media. Leveraging this momentum, DeFranco launched the spin-off channel SourceFedNerd (stylized as SourceFedNERD) on May 16, 2013. This new channel consolidated programs such as The New Movie Thing Show, The SourceFed Movie Club, and #TableTalk from the main channel. SourceFedNerd also hosted live events like the #TableTalk sessions during YouTube Comedy Week 2013, achieving substantial viewer engagement and retention.
This deliberate expansion strengthened SourceFed’s position in the competitive online entertainment landscape and facilitated its growth within digital media sectors.
Ownership under Revision3 / Seeker (2013–2016)
In June 2013, Philip DeFranco sold SourceFed along with other channels under his DeFranco Creative brand to Revision3. Following this acquisition, DeFranco assumed an executive role at Revision3 and served as Senior Vice President of Phil DeFranco Networks and Merchandise, a newly formed division. His personal "sxephil" channel was already operating under Revision3’s umbrella. Revision3 itself had been purchased by Discovery Communications in 2012, marking Discovery’s strategic expansion into digital media. By early 2014, Discovery rebranded its digital segment as Discovery Digital Networks.
After the sale, DeFranco’s direct involvement with SourceFed diminished until he no longer influenced its creative direction. He acknowledged changes in both content style and leadership from the channel’s original approach. By June 2016, he publicly confirmed that he had no active role in making creative decisions for SourceFed.
On September 19, 2013, the SourceFedNerd channel achieved a milestone of 500,000 subscribers.
By 2016, Discovery had renamed Revision3 to Seeker and rebranded DeFranco Creative as SourceFed Studios. Seeker’s official website listed SourceFed properties among its assets. SourceFed Studios managed multiple channels including SourceFed, Nerd, and the PDS channel.
Group Nine Media acquisition and subsequent shutdown (2016–2017)
In late 2016, Discovery Digital Networks ceased operations after Discovery Communications transferred its holdings to Group Nine Media, a digital media conglomerate. This consolidation brought together Thrillist Media Group, NowThis Media, The Dodo, along with Discovery's Seeker and SourceFed Studios under a single corporate structure. Although SourceFed experienced a doubling of video views compared to the previous year, Discovery's chief commercial officer, Paul Guyardo, emphasized that the merger was essential to achieve "greater scale, enhanced brand presence, and increased resources." Philip DeFranco, the creator of SourceFed, stated that he was not consulted regarding the decision to shut down SourceFed Studios.
On May 4, 2017, the SourceFed Nerd channel underwent an abrupt rebranding to NowThis Nerd without notification or approval from former hosts. This change triggered criticism and led to a subscriber loss exceeding 20,000 within just five hours. By July 3, the channel reverted to its original name, SourceFed Nerd, removing all content published during the NowThis Nerd phase. While the initial SourceFed Nerd channel was preserved as an archive, NowThis Nerd continued operating independently.
Channels and hosts
Throughout its operation, SourceFed Studios managed multiple channels:
- SourceFed: Serving as the flagship channel from 2012 to 2017, it featured original presenters Joe Bereta (from Barats and Bereta), actor Elliott Morgan, and comedian Lee Newton—all personally selected by founder Phil DeFranco, who also briefly served as a host. In 2012, a second wave of hosts joined including Trisha Hershberger, Meg Turney, and Steve Zaragoza. After launching SourceFedNerd, Bereta, Morgan, and Newton concentrated on the main channel while Hershberger, Turney, and Zaragoza primarily hosted on Nerd. Most of these original hosts exited between 2014 and 2015. Other contributors included Sam Bashor, Candace Carrizales, Bree Essrig, Ross Everett, Mike Falzone, Maude Garrett, Ava Gordy, William Haynes, Matt Lieberman, and Reina Scully.
- SourceFedNerd: Dedicated to gaming and technology content, this channel featured Hershberger, Turney, Zaragoza plus later full-time presenters Whitney Moore and Filup Molina. Coverage included events such as CES with on-site reporting by Hershberger and others.
- ForHumanPeoples (FHP) / Nuclear Family: Initially established as DeFranco’s merchandise division before rebranding as Nuclear Family. Managed chiefly by Lieberman and Essrig, it specialized in producing comedic sketches.
- Super Panic Frenzy (SPF): Introduced in 2015 as a gaming-focused sister channel hosted by Steven Suptic alongside Reina Scully. SPF ceased operations in April 2016; Suptic was briefly released but rejoined in September 2016.
- People Be Like (PBL): Launched as a spin-off from a primary SourceFed series in 2015 with William Haynes as host; Yessica Hernandez-Cruz became co-host in 2016. PBL was discontinued simultaneously with SourceFed and Nerd in March 2017.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Outcome | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3rd Streamy Awards | Best News and Culture Series | Template:Nom | SourceFed channel |
| Best Live Series | Template:Nom | SourceFed: The Nation Decides 2012 | ||
| Best Live Event | Template:Nom | SourceFed: #PDSLive 2012 Election Night Coverage | ||
| Audience Choice for Series of the Year | Template:Won | SourceFed channel | ||
| 2014 | 4th Streamy Awards | Audience Choice for Channel, Show or Series of the Year | Template:Nom | SourceFed channel |
| Gaming | Template:Nom | SourceFedNerd channel | ||
| News and Current Events Series | Template:Won | SourceFed channel | ||
| 2015 | 5th Streamy Awards | Audience Choice for Channel, Show or Series of the Year | Template:Nom | SourceFed channel |
| Best News and Culture Series | Template:Nom | SourceFed channel |