Gaming and entertainment news network VENN on Thursday unveiled its original programming plans for the new year.
The Los Angeles-based digital network will continue to focus on core gaming, esports and pop culture, in addition to lifestyle content.
New shows include Fan Controlled Football, which takes place on a 50-yard indoor gridiron where the fans call the plays, and will feature athletes, influencers and stars such as Quavo, Bob Menery and Kinda Funny’s Greg Miller.
Meanwhile, Facecheck is an esports talk show hosted by former League of Legends pro player Christian “IWDominate” Rivera. And finally, Origin Stories is hosted by Hector Rodriguez, founder and CEO of esports organization OpTic Gaming, and will explore the careers of gaming personalities and video game execs such as Ryan Wyatt, the head of YouTube Gaming.
Recently, VENN partnered with esports company BLAST and Samsung to stream and produce tournaments featuring games such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive.
“We are fortunate to have a very engaged audience that has made clear the type of content and programming that is most impactful to them,” said Aaron Godfred, svp originals, in a statement. “Partnering with this group of world-class creators and properties for new series will not only resonate with our base, but also bring VENN another step forward in our quest to deliver ambitious, distinct gaming content to a global audience.”
Led by co-CEOs Ben Kushin and Ariel Horn, VENN launched last August with content aimed at Gen Z and millennial viewers and broadcast 24/7. Among the ongoing shows in its first lineup was The Download, which recaps the biggest stories in gaming from the past week, often with industry guests.
In October, VENN closed $26 million in Series A funding, with former MTV exec Jeff Jacobs joining as evp and general manager to expand growth, content and business operations.
