Lionsgate and Kevin Hart, through his Hartbeat Digital banner, have partnered to launch Laugh Out Loud, a new video-on-demand service that will the exclusive home for all future content created by Hart outside of features and touring. That will include original unscripted and scripted series in which Hart will appear, starting with a hidden camera series starring Hart as an undercover Lyft driver. There also will be original content generated by and featuring up-and-coming comedians and top social media personalities, including a series toplined by Vine and Facebook star Logan Paul.
Laugh Out Loud, which eyes a fall 2016 launch, also will feature Lionsgate library content, including movies, which will partially be curated by Hart. The agreement is focused squarely on VOD at the moment but some original series could potentially cross over to TV in the future.
Codeblack CEO Jeff Clanagan, Hart’s business partner of 10 years, has been named President of both Laugh Out Loud, and Hartbeat Digital. Laugh Out Loud joins Lionsgate’s two other OTT services, Tribeca ShortList, which debuted last fall, and Comic-Con HQ, to be unveiled this summer in partnership with Comic-Con International.
As part of the deal with Lionsgate, a Kevin Hart-branded social adventure mobile tablet game also is in the works in collaboration with game developer Fifth Journey. Starring and written with input from Hart, the game will see players simulate the life of a comedy star with Hart serving as their mentor, with in-game adventures including comedy tours, movie deals, award show hosting, and more.
Lionsgate first got in the Kevin Hart business in 2012 with the concert film Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain.
The LOL deal was negotiated by attorney Stephen Barnes on behalf of Hart.
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