VENN, Nexstar Come Together to Publish Gaming Content Across the Network

VENN has announced a new partnership with Nexstar to feature a custom Gaming Hub containing video and articles that cover what’s hot in gaming, esports, and pop-culture across the company’s portfolio of news and entertainment sites.

“At VENN, our goal is to shine a light on the very best in gaming–and–esports–related culture by creating must-see content that goes straight to the heart of the fastest growing community in entertainment,” says Ben Kusin, VENN’s co-founder and co-CEO. “We’re proud to be showcasing our culture to new audiences across the unrivaled digital platforms of Nexstar Inc., –and to continue our quest to work with the very best syndication and distribution partners to bring gaming content the attention it deserves.”

Under terms of the agreement, clips from VENN’s original programming, including the pop and gaming magazine show The Download, will be shared across Nexstar Inc’s websites and mobile apps, which deliver an average of 85MM monthly uniques. VENN’s gaming and entertainment content will be featured across local sites such as KTLA and Chicago’s WGNTV.

“VENN is an incubator of pop and gaming culture, and a direct line to a young and tech-savvy audience rooted in digital entertainment,” says Karen Brophy, President, Digital Division at Nexstar.” “Our websites and mobile apps provide consumers across the nation with their daily dose of news and entertainment, and we’re proud to add best-in-class gaming content that VENN creates to our suite of products.”

The agreement follows the close of VENN’s $26 million Series A round, which was co-led by Nexstar Inc. and seed round investor BITKRAFT. It also follows the addition of VENN’s largest US distributor to date, The Roku Channel, as well as the expansion of distribution channels to Plex’s 15 million users and LG’s 45 million households (powered by Xumo), and smart TVs including Samsung TV Plus and VIZIO.This partnership further cements the reach of the network’s content across various top-level platforms.

“Gaming is our passion and the opportunity to share that across the Nexstar network is beyond exciting for us as content creators and publishers,” states Trinity Brocato, VP Operations and Digital, VENN. “The Gaming Hub is just the beginning and we look forward to improving and expanding on our partnership offering in the coming months.”

VENN currently airs over 20 hours of live weekly programming out of its Playa Vista studios flagship location with original content featuring fan-favorite streamers and personalities such as James “Dash” Patterson, Chrissy Costanza, and more.