Virtual MVPD fuboTV is launching a linear channel for Maximum Effort, the production company co-founded by actor Ryan Reynolds – as part of a first-look deal between the companies.
The partnership also includes a blind scripted deal, meaning Maximum Effort will have creative leeway for the content of the new channel – dubbed Maximum Effort Network. While fuboTV will manage advertising sales for the channel.
Launched in 2018, Maximum Effort spearheaded the production of a number of films, including “Deadpool 2,” “Free Guy” and “The Adam Project” – all of which starred Reynolds. George Dewey, the studio’s other co-founder, was formerly SVP of digital marketing at Twentieth Century Fox.
FuboTV and Maximum Effort will jointly own the channel’s original content, with fuboTV able to obtain third party financing for the content if needed.
Additionally, fuboTV will offer Maximum Effort an equity stake worth $10 million in shares of common stock.
“Maximum Effort’s mission is to bring people together in fun and unexpected ways and we think today’s announcement with Fubo will help do just that,” said Reynolds in a statement. “FuboTV has taken a fresh approach to developing and delivering content in the digital age and the entire team is passionate about thinking differently and taking chances. I genuinely can’t believe Maximum Effort gets to program our own network.”
Aside from its deal with fuboTV, Maximum Effort has a first-look feature film agreement with Paramount Pictures. Paramount and Maximum Effort inked the deal in May 2021 for three years.
FuboTV of late has added a batch of FAST channels into its fold. Last month, the vMVPD incorporated Crackle and Popcornflix to its TV lineup – both owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. Prior to that, fuboTV announced the addition of four FAST channels from Trusted Media Brands.
David Gandler, co-founder and CEO at fuboTV, stated fuboTV plans to use Maximum Effort’s creativity and advertiser relationships “to underwrite network programming through innovative marketing partnerships that leverage Fubo’s data capabilities and interactive technology stack.”
Ad revenue made up $21.7 million of fuboTV’s second quarter earnings. Earlier this year, fuboTV said it planned to expand its FAST channel offering to incur minimal content costs – with a long-term goal of having around 100 FAST channels by end of 2022.