Laugh Out Loud Productions

In 2017, in partnership with Lionsgate, Kevin Hart launched Laugh Out Loud as a subscription comedy streaming service.{{Cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=2016-03-31|title=Kevin Hart Partners With Lionsgate on Laugh Out Loud Streaming Service|url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/kevin-hart-vod-service-lionsgate-laugh-out-loud-1201742608/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Variety|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Comedian Kevin Hart Launches 'Laugh Out Loud' Streaming Video Service|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/305112/comedian-kevin-hart-launches-laugh-out-loud-str.html|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.mediapost.com|language=en}} The network launched with seven original programs featuring comedians, including Hart, GloZell, King Bach, Dormtainment, and David So.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=3 August 2017|title=Kevin Hart's Comedy Platform Laugh Out Loud Arrives with Seven Original Programs|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2017/08/03/kevin-hart-laugh-out-loud-lol-network/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=www.tubefilter.com}} In early 2019, Hart purchased most of Lionsgate's stake in the company to become the majority owner. The company's executive team includes Founder and Chairman Kevin Hart, CEO Jeff Clanagan, and President and COO Thai Randolph.{{Cite web|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Ray|date=2020-10-14|title=Kevin Hart Moves To Chairman Of Laugh Out Loud, Jeff Clanagan And Thai Randolph Promoted|url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/kevin-hart-jeff-clanagan-thai-randolph-candice-wilson-manveer-sehmi-1234596944/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}

In 2018 LOL signed its first major distribution partnership with Bell Media to launch its content on Canada's Snackable TV.{{Cite web|title=Kevin Hart's Digital Network Headed to Canada {{!}} Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kevin-harts-digital-network-headed-canada-1081683|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.hollywoodreporter.com|date=5 February 2018 }}

In January 2020, LOL signed a multi-year deal with NBCUniversal Media, {{Cite web|date=2020-01-16|title=Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Network Inks Partnership Deal with NBCU's Peacock|url=https://www.thewrap.com/kevin-hart-laugh-out-loud-peacock-streaming/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=TheWrap|language=en-US}} making LOL a flagship partner for Peacock TV, a video-on-demand streaming service that launched in July 2020. The partnership included an equity stake in LOL, a “first-look” agreement, distribution rights to the network's catalog, a Kevin Hart comedy special, exclusive short-form content, and the “Hart to Heart” interview series.{{Cite news|last1=Hsu|first1=Tiffany|last2=Lee|first2=Edmund|date=2020-01-16|title=Peacock, NBC's Streaming Service, Will Have a Free Option and 'The Office'|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/business/peacock-streaming-nbcuniversal-comcast.html|access-date=2020-11-14|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2020-01-16|title=Kevin Hart Inks Multi-Year Deal With Peacock For Laugh Out Loud Network|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/kevin-hart-multi-year-deal-peacock-laugh-out-loud-network-1202832726/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}

In February 2020, LOL debuted on the newly launched Pluto TV, featuring the stand-up show “Comedy in Color” and D.L. Hughley show, “Hughley Uncut.”{{Cite web|title=Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud to Premiere Global Stand-Up Series 'Comedy in Color' (Exclusive) {{!}} Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kevin-harts-laugh-loud-premiere-global-stand-up-series-comedy-color-1279673|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.hollywoodreporter.com|date=18 February 2020 }}{{Cite web|last=Tapp|first=Tom|date=2020-04-29|title='D.L. Hughley Uncut' Coming To Pluto TV Via Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Network – Watch The Promo|url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/d-l-hughley-uncut-coming-to-pluto-tv-via-kevin-harts-laugh-out-loud-network-watch-the-promo-1202919496/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Deadline|language=en-US}} LOL's “Comedy in Color” programming focuses on diversity and includes 300 comedians from over 30 countries. Pluto users have access to a curated selection of Laugh Out Loud's content, including Cold as Balls, Kevin Hart: Lyft Legend, and Black Geo.{{Cite web|title=Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Renews Talk Show 'Cold As Balls' (Exclusive) {{!}} Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kevin-harts-laugh-loud-renews-talk-show-cold-as-balls-1096256|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.hollywoodreporter.com|date=21 March 2018 }} In September 2020, Simon & Schuster and LOL Audio released an audio series containing live recordings from “Comedy in Color,” hosted by Lil Rel.{{Cite book|url=https://www.simonandschuster.com/series/Laugh-Out-Loud-Presents-Comedy-in-Color|title=Laugh Out Loud Presents Comedy in Color|language=en}}{{Cite web|title='Comedy in Color' audiobook coming out Sept. 29|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-ent-comedy-in-color-audiobook-20200826-lqmtvmednva4bhecnfhcaqy2ji-story.html|access-date=2020-11-14|website=chicagotribune.com|date=26 August 2020 }} Through their “Comedy in Color” programming, LOL provides opportunities for emerging comedic talent to help comedians of all ethnicities, colors, and genders.{{Cite web|last=Tinubu|first=Aramide|date=2017-07-12|title=Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Network Will Launch in August|url=https://www.ebony.com/entertainment/kevin-harts-laugh-out-loud-network-will-launch-in-august/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=EBONY|language=en-US}}

LOL launched its experiential division, LOL X! in early 2020, to produce comedy showcases, tours, and other experiential comedy events, such as live tapings.{{Cite magazine|title=Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Brand Is Launching an Experiential Division|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8550604/kevin-hart-laugh-out-loud-experiential-division-lol-x|access-date=2020-11-14|magazine=Billboard|language=en}} The division led marketing initiatives for Nick Cannon’s Wild N’ Out tour in partnership with ViacomCBS. In March, the division partnered with Advertising Week to launch a B2B podcast focused on comedy and culture, a new LOL-branded content studio, and LOL comedian appearances at company events,{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=3 March 2020|title=kevin harts lol forges multi year deal with advertising week|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/03/03/kevin-harts-lol-forges-multi-year-deal-with-advertising-week/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=www.tubefilter.com}} and in September, they partnered with Just for Laughs for their 2020 virtual comedy festival.{{Cite press release|publisher=Advertising Week|title=Advertising Week & Laugh Out Loud Forge New Global Alliance|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/advertising-week--laugh-out-loud-forge-new-global-alliance-301015133.html|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|author=|date=2020-09-10|title=Just for Laughs Partners with Kevin Hart to Provide Virtual Festival|url=https://theinterrobang.com/in-2020-everyone-can-attend-just-for-laughs-for-free/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=The Interrobang|language=en-US}}

In June 2020, LOL joined forces with Wheelhouse Entertainment to develop, produce and distribute unscripted programming to showcase new comedy voices.{{Cite web|last=White|first=Peter|date=2020-06-22|title=Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Strikes Co-Pro Deal With Wheelhouse Entertainment; Lyft Boards First Project|url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/kevin-hart-laugh-out-loud-wheelhouse-entertainment-lyft-1202965630/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}

In July 2020, LOL Studios released the television series Die Hart on Quibi, which starred Hart and John Travolta. The show was renewed for a second season to be called Die Harter in September.{{Cite web|last=Thorne|first=Will|date=2020-09-17|title=Kevin Hart's 'Die Hart' Action Series Renewed for Season 2 at Quibi|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/kevin-hart-die-hart-action-series-renewed-season-2-quibi-1234772694/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Variety|language=en-US}} Quibi previously partnered with LOL for the show Action Scene, which starred Hart as a fictionalized version of himself.{{Cite web|last=Wright|first=Megh|date=2019-07-30|title=Kevin Hart Lands His Most Challenging Role Yet: Himself|url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/07/kevin-hart-action-scene-quibi-comedy.html|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Vulture|language=en-us}}

In September 2020, LOL Audio extended its agreement with SiriusXM to produce multi-platform comedic programming for the broadcasting company.{{Cite web|title=Kevin Hart Inks New Multi-Platform Deal With SiriusXM {{!}} Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kevin-hart-inks-new-multi-platform-deal-with-siriusxm|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.hollywoodreporter.com|date=22 September 2020 }} According to the deal's terms, Hart will host regular and live programs on his channel, Laugh Out Loud Radio, and expand comedic programming with radio shows, podcasts, and on-demand videos. LOL's Straight from the Hart talk show, co-hosted by Hart and the Plastic Cup Boyz, debuted on Pandora, a Sirius subsidiary, in 2019 and was the number one podcast on Pandora radio that year.{{Cite web|author=|date=2020-09-24|title=Kevin Hart To Host New Laugh-Out-Loud Live Shows, Podcasts & More|url=https://www.siriusxm.ca/kevin-hart-to-host-new-laugh-out-loud-live-shows-podcasts-more-with-siriusxm/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=SiriusXM|language=en-CA}}{{Cite web|last=Hassahn|title=SiriusXM Extends Contract with Kevin Hart and Laugh Out Loud {{!}} Digital and Radio Facts|date=23 September 2020 |url=https://radiofacts.com/siriusxm-extends-contract-with-kevin-hart-and-laugh-out-loud/|access-date=2020-11-14|language=en-US}}

Laugh Out Loud has co-developed branded content, including Kevin Hart: Lyft Legend with Lyft Entertainment. Following a successful first season with over 50 million views, the series expanded to twelve episodes over two seasons.{{Citation|title=Kevin Hart's: Lyft Legend - Watch Episodes on Starz or Streaming Online {{!}} Reelgood|url=https://reelgood.com/show/kevin-harts-lyft-legend-2017|language=en-us|access-date=2020-11-14}} Cold as Balls, sponsored by Old Spice on YouTube, showcases Hart interviewing sports figures, including Russell Wilson, Reggie Bush, and Dennis Rodman, from an ice bath post-game.{{Cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=2019-11-12|title=Kevin Hart's 'Cold as Balls' Season 3 Talk Show Returns With Ninja, Bella Twins, Dennis Rodman and More|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/kevin-hart-cold-as-balls-season-3-1203400454/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Variety|language=en-US}} The show premiered its fourth season on November 12, 2020.{{Cite web|author=|title=Kevin Hart Returns with Fourth Season of COLD AS BALLS|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Kevin-Hart-Returns-with-Fourth-Season-of-COLD-AS-BALLS-20201111|access-date=2020-11-14|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en}}

In March 2020, LOL renewed the fitness series What the Fit, produced in partnership with Ben-Gay, for a third season, on YouTube.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-06|title=How Kevin Hart Quietly Went From A Comedy Legend To Fitness Inspiration|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2491246/how-kevin-hart-quietly-went-from-a-comedy-legend-to-fitness-inspiration|access-date=2020-11-14|website=CINEMABLEND}} As of October 2020, the series had over 435 million YouTube views.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=What the Fit|url=https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=what+the+fit|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.youtube.com}} What the Fit features a humorous take on fitness, showcasing Hart, a fitness buff, and other comedians, actors, and celebrities, such as Tiffany Haddish, Conan O’Brien, and Terry Crews.{{Cite web|last=Rense|first=Sarah|date=2018-03-15|title=Kevin Hart Is the Kind of Guy Who Insists Working Out Is 'Fun'|url=https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/health/a19445236/kevin-hart-celebrity-workout-show-interview/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Esquire|language=en-US}}

In October 2020, Laugh Out Loud partnered with Snapchat, where it will debut the new motivational show, Coach Kev, in which Hart will serve as a coach, mentor, and friend, sharing insight into living one's “best life.”{{Cite web|date=2020-06-11|title=Snapchat Unveils 10 New Shows, Including Kevin Hart Motivational Series|url=https://www.thewrap.com/snapchat-new-shows-kevin-hart/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=TheWrap|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=2020-10-07|title=Kevin Hart's First Snapchat Original, 'Coach Kev,' Promises to Motivate and Inspire|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/kevin-hart-snapchat-original-coach-kev-1234794615/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Variety|language=en-US}}

Cold as Balls, Lyft Legend, and Kevin Hart: What the Fit have won numerous accolades, including nominations and awards from the Producer's Guild, Critic Choice Awards, Realscreen, Streamy, and Webby awards.{{Cite web|title=The best in reality TV: The 2020 Critics Choice Real TV Awards noms|url=https://www.avclub.com/drag-race-and-cheer-lead-critics-choice-associations-re-1843954157|access-date=2020-11-16|website=News|date=8 June 2020 |language=en-us}}{{Cite web|title=2018 Streamys Brand Awards|url=https://www.streamys.org/2018-brand-awards/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=The Streamy Awards|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|date=2018-10-23|title=Streamy Awards: Kevin Hart's 'Cold As Balls' Among Winners – Complete List|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/streamy-awards-20918kevin-harts-cold-as-balls-among-winners-ninja-takes-two-complete-list-1202487627/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://laughoutloud.com/}}
• {{YouTube|https://www.youtube.com/c/KevinHartLaughOutLoud}}

{{Kevin Hart}}

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