BlackBoxTV is a commercial YouTube channel and production studio founded by director Tony E. Valenzuela. It was launched on August 17, 2010 and relaunched on April 13, 2012 as part of YouTube's $150 million original channel initiative. The channel, which has collaborated with Wes Craven, Guillermo del Toro and Anthony E. Zuiker, is home to BlackBoxTV Presents, which Variety called "the longest-running scripted drama online" in March 2016.
History The channel originally launched in August 2010 with one scripted series - BlackBoxTV Presents, a horror anthology featuring a cast of YouTube creators including Philip DeFranco, Justine Ezarik and Shane Dawson.
In October 2011, it was announced that BlackBoxTV was among 100 entities YouTube had partnered with as part of a $150 million investment in television-style programming. The channel relaunched on April 13, 2012, with four new series: Silverwood, Black Friday, True Stories and Anthony E. Zuiker Presents, produced in collaboration with CSI creator Anthony E. Zuiker and Collective Digital Studio.
In 2014, Legendary Entertainment partnered with the channel to produce Versions of Elloise for the “YouTube Space House of Horrors: A Legendary Halloween short film contest.” The film was selected among ten finalists by Guillermo del Toro. Also in 2014, Alpine Labs (formerly Ketchum Labs) partnered with BlackBoxTV to distribute the reality competition series Fight of the Living Dead.
Programming Year Title Featuring Notes Status2010–Present BlackBoxTV PresentsBree EssrigNikki LimoHorror anthology series in the vein of The Twilight Zone created by Tony E. Valenzuela. Current 2012–2013 BlackBoxTV: SilverwoodBrea GrantDrake BellEleven-part scripted horror anthology series set in the remote mountain town of Silverwood, California. Concluded2012-2013 Black Friday VariousWeekly news magazine hosted by rotating correspondents exploring genre pop culture. Concluded2012 True Stories Jessica RoseUnscripted reality series focusing on the scary and supernatural, including sleepovers in real haunted houses and exploring frightening places. Ongoing2012–2013 Anthony E. Zuiker Presents Bill BellamyGoran VišnjićScripted anthology series featuring 10- to 15-minute episodes developed by Anthony E. Zuiker. Concluded2013–Present BlackBoxTV PranksJesse WellensHidden camera series featuring staged pranks and hoaxes based on horror films. Concluded2015 The Fourth Door Joey GraceffaTwelve-episode scripted supernatural drama series also starring Monique Coleman. Acquired by go90 2015-2016Fight of the Living DeadMeghan CamarenaIman CrossonReality competition series where 10 YouTube creators try to survive a simulated zombie apocalypse.Acquired by YouTube Red 2015–PresentBlackBoxTV Presents: Horror 360Monique ColemanLenne KlingamanVirtual reality anthology featuring fictional characters and urban legends from the world of horror. Ongoing2017-2018 Find Me Madison LawlorVR/360 narrative series produced in partnership with Collab and the Los Angeles Times featuring visual codes and puzzles for viewers to solve. Ongoing
360/Virtual Reality In October, 2015 the channel launched BlackBoxTV Presents: Horror | 360, a virtual reality series for mobile devices and VR headsets. The 11-episode first season included collaborations with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema. On September 26, 2017 the series won "Best Immersive Series" for excellence in 360 and VR filmmaking at the 2017 Streamy Awards. In September, 2016 Collab announced it had signed a deal with BlackBoxTV to represent the channel and fund two 360 video projects. In 2017, the channel debuted Find Me, a scripted virtual reality series, mobile app and game produced in partnership with Collab and the Los Angeles Times.
Audio Series In 2018, Serial Box acquired the rights to produce Silverwood: The Door, a scripted audio series and eBook that will expand the BlackBoxTV: Silverwood universe.
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