VA Media growths on YouTube and announces first original series production

VA Media disclosed flourishing 2023 financial year viewership and subscriber growth information on YouTube AVOD space, confirmed that channels owned and operated by VA Media grew by 50% in overall viewership for the Australian FY 2023 (July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023). The addition of 2 million new subscribers in FY23 and over 18 million subscribers over the full network continues to increase VA’s ability to reach wider audiences and monetize content at industry high CPMs.

The two new channels launched in FY23 (Movie Central Español and Romance Movie Central) and 3-5 additional channels set to launch in FY24 will join VA’s network which is made up of 20 owned and operated channels and a further 80+ managed channels.

Mark Ashbridge, CEO of VA Media stated, “We are quite optimistic about the growth in revenue, subscribers, and market share we’re seeing in the global YouTube AVOD space at the moment. As we continue expanding our partnerships including channel management for companies like Cineverse, Epic Pictures, Distribution Solutions, and The Asylum, as well as our robust 3rd party acquisitions strategy on our owned and operated channels, we’re now diversifying our model to include original productions.”

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Currently shooting in the company’s Sydney-based studios is VA’s first original production, an unscripted series called “My First Time” from Producer/Director Carolyn Cage. "My First Time" is an original returnable digital documentary series bringing those firsts back to life. With 10 uniquely themed episodes, the series will explore the spectrum of queer relationships from unforgettable first dates and devastating first heartbreaks.

Hannah Barnes, Executive Producer and VA Media’s Director of Unscripted and Original Content said, "This series puts the spotlight on queer stories and queer storytelling. This is our first original series which has been developed in-house, we are thrilled to have people like Kween Kong, Wesley Enoch, Aurelia St Claire and the legend that is DQ involved in the series and can't wait to launch it on We Are Pride later this year."

VA Media continues to grow its position as a leading global AVOD network with over 300 million monthly views and channels including the flagship Movie Central, True Crime Central, Horror Central, and the recently-launched Movie Central en Español and the company has also recently appointed Organic Pacific and the Havas Network to support its international growth ambitions.