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NextUp Comedy

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NextUp Comedy
Type of site
OTT streaming platform
Available inEnglish
FoundedNovember 2016; 8 years ago (November 2016)
HeadquartersLondon, England, U.K.
Area servedWorldwide
Founder(s)
  • Daniel Berg
  • Sarah Henley
  • Kenny Cavey
IndustryTechnology & Entertainment industry, mass media
Products
Services
URLnextupcomedy.com

NextUp Comedy Ltd is a UK video-on-demand and streaming service based in London, England, specialising in stand-up comedy shows. Founded in November 2016 by Daniel Berg, Sarah Henley and Kenny Cavey, the platform provides users access to a 200+ library of on-demand comedy specials and short sets and weekly livestreams direct from comedy clubs and festivals. Comedians with shows on the platform are supported through a 50/50 revenue share model and NextUp provides rehearsal space for comedians in its London office.[1]

The platform consists of 60 minute comedy 'specials' which are full length shows available on demand. NextUp also hosts a variety of 'shorts' which are 10 minute clips aimed at giving viewers a taste for the comedian and their show.[1] NextUp Comedy live streams comedy shows happening across the UK from local venues to festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe straight to the viewer's devices at home.[2] They also scout the circuit to serve their subscribers the best shows, with new and exclusive releases every quarter. NextUp Comedy also reflect the variety of the comedy scene better than any other platform with observational stand-up alongside character comedians, musical comedy, sketch groups, and alternative acts.

Subscribers can watch worldwide instantly on the web on their website or via their apps on Apple Inc. and Android smartphones and tablets, Samsung and LG smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. NextUp shows can also cast with AirPlay and Chromecast, whilst on their iOS and Android app subscribers can download shows to watch offline.[1][3][4]

NextUp Comedy is headquartered in London, England and not only features shows happening in the greater London area, but stand-up gigs happening all over the United Kingdom.

History

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NextUp was founded in the UK in November 2016 by Daniel Berg, Sarah Henley and Kenny Cavey, the owners of YouTube channel and live comedy night ComComedy. Their co-Founding Director is Stuart Snaith, formerly of BBC Worldwide.[5] Bil Bungay from venture capitalist firm Velocity is among their board members.[6][7]

In 2017 the company secured £230,000 (US$297,000) in its latest investment round,[8] and signed deals with both Amazon Channels[6][9][10] and Virgin Atlantic to broadcast their specials on the airline's in-flight entertainment.[11][12] In 2021, they joined Samsung's Smart Start platform and provided new Samsung Smart TV customers the unique opportunity to access premium apps and entertainment during the initial months of purchase. This partnership let viewers discover exclusive sets from both famous acts and rising stars such as Ed Byrne, Miles Jupp and Maisie Adam – all without leaving their sofa.[13][14][15]

Beginning January 2023, select NextUp Comedy shows are also available on ITVX including Anna Mann, Jason Byrne, Lost Voice Guy, and many more.[16]

Features and access

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Subscription and platform features

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The company's primary business is its subscription-based platform, which offers a library of live comedy specials (including those filmed and edited by the in-house production team), live recording tickets and discounts. It has been referred to as the "Netflix of UK stand-up Comedy".[17][18][19] They offer one subscription plan that includes access to all of their content, 50% of revenue go to the acts, and watch without any ads, access content from any device, and in-person tickets to 50+ live shows a year. During a livestream, platform users are able to utilize a chat feature to engage with other viewers. For those that miss the livestream, NextUp also offers a Catch Up option for certain shows. These shows will be recorded and available to watch on the platform for a limited period of time.

Community involvement

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Comedians with shows on the platform are supported through a 50/50 revenue share model and NextUp provides rehearsal space for comedians in its London office. Social impact projects are supported such as 'The Care Home Tour' that saw comedians perform for dementia care home residents. During COVID-19, they raised over £150k for acts who lost their income.[12][17][18]

Content

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Livestreaming

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Over the recent years NextUp Comedy has partnered with comedy festivals nationwide such as the Edinburgh Fringe and Leicester Comedy Festival to provide viewers with the opportunity to see some of their favorite acts without having to leave their homes.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

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In 2022, NextUp Comedy announced that they would be livestreaming 50+ shows from the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time ever since the arts festival's founding. The company highlighted that pandemic and accessibility concerns created a desire for alternative forms of watching stand-up shows.[20] By streaming the Fringe they were able to provide comedy fans from all over the world with the opportunity to watch some of their favorite acts at the biggest comedy festival in the world. They partnered with several venues including the Gilded Balloon and The Pleasance. Fringe events such as The Wrestling, Late N Live and final of So You Think You’re Funny were featured as part of their program highlights. The full streaming lineup included Mark Watson, Harriet Dyer, Patrick Spicer, Arthur Smith, Brennan Reece, the Chortle Student Comedy Awards, Christopher Bliss, Chris Turner, Christy Coysh, Conrad Koch, Esther Manito, Hal Cruttenden, Ignacio Lopez, Jack Tucker, Jake Farrell, Javier Jarquin, Jen Ives, Morgan Rees, NewsRevue, Nick Helm, The Oxford Imps, Pete Heat, Rajiv Karia, Rosie Holt, Schalk Bezuidenhout, Shelf, Sikisa, Tarot, Will Duggan, Yuriko Kotani, Fred MacAulay, Sean McLoughlin, Jamie D'Souza, Rob Rouse, All Killa No Filla Live, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, Jake Lambert, The Comedy Arcade, Finlay Christie, Celya AB, Tom Rosenthal (actor), Shazia Mirza, and Justin Moorhouse.

In addition to streaming shows on their platform, NextUp Comedy a few shows were streamed to cinemas across the UK so the audience can watch their favorite shows with fellow fans.

Access Festival

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The platform launched a partnership in January 2023 with Impatient Productions, co-founded by Mark Watson and Lianne Coop, to stream Access Festival, an online-only comedy festival that allow the audience the opportunity to interact with the comedian through a Zoom show or via NextUp's platform.[21][22][23] This festival was inspired by comedians who experimented with hundreds of online comedy gigs that connected people worldwide throughout the pandemic and aims to open up comedy to thousands of people who have had the door barred to them by health, economic, geographical or other factors.[24] NextUp Comedy streamed and moderated over 15 stand-up shows throughout the month including No More Jockeys, Sarah Keyworth, Bilal Zafar, Laura Lexx, and more. The festival was accessible through a NextUp Comedy annual subscription which also provided new users with access to the rest of their content library.

To further emphasize the festival's mission of accessibility NextUp and Impatient Productions teamed up with Below the Line, a charity platform where comedy fans can donate through an anonymous pay-it-forward ticket to buy online comedy tickets for fellow fans who can’t afford them.[25][26]

Platform specials

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NextUp offers 60 minute comedy 'specials' which are full length shows available on demand. These shows include a wide range of comedic genres such as observational, sketch, character, alternative, and storytelling. 'Specials' feature a variety of comedians from well known acts to up and coming stars.

Comedians filmed by NextUp

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Notable comedians who have had their shows filmed by NextUp include:[27]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "NextUp Comedy Main Page". NextUp Comedy.
  2. ^ "N16 SHOWS TO SEE AT EDINBURGH FRINGE". Funny Women. 28 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Apple Store NextUp Page". Apple Store. 8 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Amazon App Store". Amazon App Store.
  5. ^ Logan, Brian (2016-11-16). "NextUp: can it become the Netflix for British standup comedy?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  6. ^ a b "NextUp stand-up streaming site joins Amazon Channels". British Comedy Guide. 2017-11-02. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  7. ^ "The Netflix of stand-up comedy". angel.co.
  8. ^ "'Netflix of comedy' NextUp secures funds of £230k". TBI Vision. 2017-08-15. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  9. ^ "New comedy channel NextUp comes to Amazon Prime Video". Cable. 2017-11-03. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  10. ^ "NextUp, U.K. Comedy Streaming Service, Launches On Amazon Channels". www.mediapost.com. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  11. ^ "NextUp bags new funding and Virgin Atlantic deal". www.csimagazine.com. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  12. ^ a b "Can British comedy make a killing online?". Engadget. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 2019-03-04. As well as the streaming platform, the company has signed deals with Virgin Atlantic and Audible to syndicate shows.
  13. ^ "Samsung Announces New Smart Start TV Content Partner, NextUp, as part of its Ongoing Commitment to Deliver Exclusive Entertainment Experiences". Samsung Newsroom U.K. Samsung UK. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  14. ^ Monney, Kob (December 8, 2021). "Samsung adds NextUp comedy channel to its Smart Start platform". Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  15. ^ Hutchinson, Roland (8 December 2021). "Samsung Smart Start TV gets NextUp". Geeky Gadgets. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  16. ^ "New: Stand-Up Spectacular from NextUp Comedy". ITVX. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  17. ^ a b "NextUp is Netflix for UK stand-up comedy". Engadget. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  18. ^ a b "What impact might technology have on the business of comedy?". Business Matters. 2018-08-26. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  19. ^ "Full stream ahead for NextUp". British Comedy Guide. 2018-09-14. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  20. ^ "NextUp to stream more than 50 Edinburgh comedy shows". The British Comedy Guide. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  21. ^ Richardson, Jay (2 December 2022). "Mark Watson launches online-only comedy festival Access". The British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  22. ^ Dessau, Bruce (17 December 2022). "More Shows Announced For Mark Watson's Online Access Festival". Beyond The Joke. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  23. ^ "Mark Watson tells Chris Evans about his virtual comedy festival". Virgin Radio. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  24. ^ "Initial schedule announced for Mark Watson's Access Festival". Chortle. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  25. ^ "Below The Line: Access Comedy Festival". Below The Line. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  26. ^ "Access Comedy Festival". NextUp Comedy. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Comedian A-Z Index | NextUp".
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