AwesomenessTV

Method

Brian Robbins and Joe Davola launch AwesomenessTV in July 2012 as a YouTube channel and network for teen audiences, paid at first by YouTube ad share and brand integrations. DreamWorks Animation buys it in May 2013 for 33 million dollars plus earnouts, and the company buys Big Frame for 15 million in April 2014. Hearst pays 81.25 million for 25 percent in December 2014 and Verizon pays 159 million for 24.5 percent in April 2016, a 650 million dollar valuation tied to a 180 million dollar content commitment for the go90 app. When go90 fails and Comcast absorbs DreamWorks, Viacom buys the whole company in July 2018 for a reported 50 million dollars with layoffs. Robbins leaves in February 2017 and later runs Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures. Awesomeness merges with Nickelodeon's live action unit in 2021 and, after the Skydance merger, is folded into Paramount Television Studios in October 2025.

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The path: money and goods moving

• acquired byDreamWorks AnimationDreamWorks Animation announces the AwesomenessTV purchase on May 1, 2013 for 33 million dollars plus up to 117 million dollars in earnouts, closing that month.2013
• backed byHearstHearst buys 25 percent of AwesomenessTV for 81.25 million dollars in December 2014.2014
• acquiredBig FrameAwesomenessTV announces on April 2, 2014 that it will buy Big Frame for 15 million dollars in cash plus assumed debt.2014
• backed byVerizonVerizon buys 24.5 percent of AwesomenessTV in April 2016 for 159 million dollars at a 650 million dollar valuation with a 180 million dollar go90 content deal.2016
• acquired byParamount SkydanceViacom buys AwesomenessTV in July 2018 for about 50 million dollars and Paramount folds it into Paramount Television Studios in October 2025.2018
• spawnedParamount SkydanceFounder Brian Robbins goes on to run Nickelodeon and later Paramount Pictures after leaving Awesomeness in 2017. (partly verified)2018