Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Inks Vertical Series Deal With Fox Entertainment
Kevin Hart’s entertainment company, Hartbeat, is expanding its presence in digital storytelling through a new partnership with Fox Entertainment, bringing short-form vertical video content closer to the big screen.
The deal gives Fox Entertainment Studios first-look rights to develop feature films and television series based on vertical series released under Hartbeat’s subsidiary brands Codeblack, Essence and Revolt. Together, the three brands have a combined social media following of more than 20 million, providing a substantial audience for the partnership’s original content.
As part of the agreement, Codeblack has partnered with Holywater Tech, a Fox partner that operates the vertical video platform My Drama, to launch its first dedicated branded channel. Hartbeat’s vertical series will premiere on the platform before Fox Entertainment Global handles worldwide distribution following their initial releases.
The companies already have 25 live-action titles in development, spanning multiple genres, including drama, thrillers and faith-based storytelling. The initiative is designed to establish vertical series as an entry point for developing intellectual property, with successful stories potentially advancing into feature films and traditional television projects.
Hannah Pillemer, head of scripted at Fox Entertainment Studios, said the partnership will allow the company to identify promising stories in the vertical video space and evaluate audience engagement before expanding select projects into larger productions.
For Hartbeat, the agreement represents an opportunity to bring together established cultural brands and create new entertainment experiences for audiences who increasingly consume content on their phones.
“Vertical is where those stories start, not where they stop,” said Jeff Clanagan, founder of Codeblack and president and chief distribution officer of Hartbeat.
Clanagan also highlighted the collaboration with Essence and Revolt, emphasizing the importance of building on the trust those brands have established with their audiences. Through Holywater’s technology and distribution capabilities, the companies aim to develop stories that reflect their communities while creating opportunities for successful concepts to reach a global audience.
The partnership also builds on Hartbeat’s existing relationship with Fox. Last year, the company secured a first-look deal with Tubi, Fox Corporation’s ad-supported streaming service, for four creator-driven original films. The projects included Sundown, a supernatural feature written, directed by and starring filmmaker Kinigra Deon.
With vertical video continuing to create new opportunities for content creators and entertainment companies, Hartbeat and Fox are positioning short-form storytelling as more than a social media format. The partnership could establish a new pathway for discovering talent, building intellectual property and turning digital-first stories into film and television productions for wider audiences.
Photos: Kevin Hart’s Instagram
