Bigballs to launch Line9 fringe YouTube sports channel
Bigballs, the upstart film producer, is seeking to shake up the industry with the launch of Line9, a fringe sports channel, as part of its aim to develop content exclusively for the internet.
Launching next month Line9 will focus on BMX racing and snowboarding and complements YouTube football channel Copa90 which has gained 375,000 subscribers since its launch last September.
Tom Thirlwall, commercial director at Bigballs, said: “We were always seen [by broadcasters] as the funny little company that does internet stuff – how sweet. But now we’re eating their lunch.
“Internet TV allowed us to have a direct relationship with audiences. Our new commissioners were the viewers themselves. We’d get a pat on the back from them instead of the industry.
“We have to appeal to the here-and-now generation. When uploading to the internet a piece of crafted footage you are always competing with the kid on his camera phone.”
Bigballs client list now includes the likes of Adidas, Red Bull and Nokia, contributing to revenue streams including advertising, brand sponsorship and commissioned programming.