NextUp Comedy

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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/nov/16/nextup-stream-netflix-for-british-standup-comedy|title=NextUp: can it become the Netflix for British standup comedy?|last=Logan|first=Brian|date=2016-11-16|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-03-04|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} Bil Bungay from venture capitalist firm Velocity is among their board members.{{Cite web|url=https://angel.co/nextup-comedy|title=The Netflix of stand-up comedy|website=angel.co}}

In 2017 the company secured £230,000 (US$297,000) in its latest investment round,{{Cite web|url=https://tbivision.com/2017/08/15/netflix-comedy-nextup-secures-funds-230k/|title='Netflix of comedy' NextUp secures funds of £230k|date=2017-08-15|website=TBI Vision|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-04}} and signed deals with both Amazon Channels{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/online/news/2837/nextup_on_amazon/|title=NextUp stand-up streaming site joins Amazon Channels|date=2017-11-02|website=British Comedy Guide|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-03-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cable.co.uk/news/new-comedy-channel-nextup-comes-to-amazon-prime-video-700002004/|title=New comedy channel NextUp comes to Amazon Prime Video|date=2017-11-03|website=Cable|language=en|access-date=2019-03-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/310629/nextup-uk-comedy-streaming-service-launches-on.html|title=NextUp, U.K. Comedy Streaming Service, Launches On Amazon Channels|website=www.mediapost.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-04}} and Virgin Atlantic to broadcast their specials on the airline's in-flight entertainment.{{Cite web|url=http://www.csimagazine.com/csi/NextUp-bags-new-funding-and-Virgin-Atlantic-deal.php|title=NextUp bags new funding and Virgin Atlantic deal|website=www.csimagazine.com|date=15 August 2017 |access-date=2019-03-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/10/05/can-british-comedy-make-a-killing-online/|title=Can British comedy make a killing online?|website=Engadget|date=5 October 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-04|quote=As well as the streaming platform, the company has signed deals with Virgin Atlantic and Audible to syndicate shows.}} 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.{{cite web |title=Samsung Announces New Smart Start TV Content Partner, NextUp, as part of its Ongoing Commitment to Deliver Exclusive Entertainment Experiences |url=https://news.samsung.com/uk/samsung-announces-new-smart-start-tv-content-partner-nextup-as-part-of-its-ongoing-commitment-to-deliver-exclusive-entertainment-experiences |website=Samsung Newsroom U.K. |publisher=Samsung UK |access-date=4 January 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Monney |first1=Kob |title=Samsung adds NextUp comedy channel to its Smart Start platform |url=https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/samsung-adds-nextup-comedy-channel-to-its-smart-start-platform-4190176 |access-date=4 January 2023 |date=December 8, 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Hutchinson |first1=Roland |title=Samsung Smart Start TV gets NextUp |url=https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/samsung-smart-start-tv-gets-nextup-08-12-2021/ |website=Geeky Gadgets |date=8 December 2021 |access-date=4 January 2023}}

Beginning January 2023, select NextUp Comedy shows are also available on ITVX including Anna Mann, Jason Byrne, Lost Voice Guy, and many more.{{cite web |title=New: Stand-Up Spectacular from NextUp Comedy |url=https://www.itv.com/watch/collections/new-stand-up-spectacular-from-nextup-comedy/2i7qV4xJqYdeOYtAv639G7 |website=ITVX |access-date=12 January 2023}}

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".{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/11/15/nextup-netflix-uk-stand-up-comedy/|title=NextUp is Netflix for UK stand-up comedy|website=Engadget|date=15 November 2016 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/opinion/what-impact-might-technology-have-on-the-business-of-comedy/|title=What impact might technology have on the business of comedy?|date=2018-08-26|website=Business Matters|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-03-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/online/features/full_stream_ahead_for_nextup/|title=Full stream ahead for NextUp|date=2018-09-14|website=British Comedy Guide|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-03-04}} 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.

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.

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.

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.{{cite web |title=NextUp to stream more than 50 Edinburgh comedy shows |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/news/6955/nextup-to-live-stream-edinburgh-shows/ |website=The British Comedy Guide |date=22 July 2022 |access-date=12 January 2023}} 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.

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.{{cite web |last1=Richardson |first1=Jay |title=Mark Watson launches online-only comedy festival Access |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/online/fyi/124/mark-watson-online-only-comedy-festival-access/ |website=The British Comedy Guide |date=2 December 2022 |access-date=5 January 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Dessau |first1=Bruce |title=More Shows Announced For Mark Watson's Online Access Festival |url=https://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/12928/mark-watson-access |website=Beyond The Joke |date=17 December 2022 |access-date=5 January 2023}}{{cite news |title=Mark Watson tells Chris Evans about his virtual comedy festival |url=https://virginradio.co.uk/shows/89603/mark-watson-tells-chris-evans-on-his-virtual-comedy-festival-and-why-it-is-important |access-date=12 January 2023 |publisher=Virgin Radio}} 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.{{cite web |title=Initial schedule announced for Mark Watson's Access Festival |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/other-news/2022/12/16/52283/initial_schedule_announced_for_mark_watson%E2%80%99s_access_festival |website=Chortle |access-date=5 January 2023}} 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.{{cite web |title=Below The Line: Access Comedy Festival |url=https://www.belowtheline.org.uk/festival |website=Below The Line |access-date=4 January 2023}}{{cite web |title=Access Comedy Festival |url=https://nextupcomedy.com/access/ |website=NextUp Comedy |access-date=4 January 2023}}

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.

Notable comedians who have had their shows filmed by NextUp include:{{Cite web|url=https://nextupcomedy.com/a-z/|title = Comedian A-Z Index | NextUp}}

• Abigoliah Schamaun
• Adam Hess
• Alasdair Beckett-King
• Alice Fraser
• Brendon Burns
• Brennan Reece
• Danielle Ward
• Ed Aczel
• Eleanor Morton
• Esther Manito
• Fern Brady
• Funmbi Omotayo
• Gráinne Maguire
• Holly Burn
• Jordan Brookes
• Joz Norris
• Kiri Pritchard-McLean
• Laura Lexx
• Lauren Pattison
• Lou Sanders
• Maisie Adam
• Njambi McGrath
• Paul Sinha
• Rachel Parris
• Sam Simmons
• Tom Stade
• Tiff Stevenson
• Tim Renkow

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.thetimes.com/article/katherine-ryan-hannah-gadsby-and-daniel-sloss-the-comedians-who-became-global-stars-thanks-to-streaming-0hf5wcpk6 Katherine Ryan, Hannah Gadsby and Daniel Sloss: the comedians who became global stars thanks to streaming] - Article in The Times

Category:Internet television streaming services

Category:Subscription video on demand services

Category:Mass media companies established in 2016

Category:Mass media companies based in London

Category:British comedy websites