Bedrocket Media Ventures, an Internet media firm and YouTube multichannel network operator, has taken a seven-figure investment in What’s Trending, a YouTube channel whose daily talkshow generates more than 2 million views per month.
The amount of the funding was not disclosed but a rep said it was more than $1 million. The investment from Bedrocket will let What’s Trending expand content production and distribution, the companies said.
What’s Trending airs daily on YouTube at 3 p.m. Eastern. Internet talkshow is hosted by Shira Lazar (pictured, above) and produced by Lazar and Damon Berger.
“Shira and Damon have built a great young brand that guides us through the overwhelming choice on YouTube and leads people to what they really want,” Bedrocket topper Brian Bedol said in announcing the funding.
New York-based Bedrocket is focused on incubating content and interactive technology platforms, with YouTube networks including Official Comedy, Network A, Look TV and KickTV. Bedrocket last September announced $15 million in funding from venture-capital firm NEA.
Bedol, founder of Classic Sports Network (now ESPN Classic) and College Sports Television (now CBS College Sports), formed Bedrocket Media in partnership with Ken Lerer, co-founder of The Huffington Post.
What’s Trending originally premiered on Google’s YouTube in May 2011 as a showcase for videos and content creators that are among most-watched on the platform. Show sponsors have included Ford Motor Co. and Samsung Electronics.
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