FOX Entertainment Makes Vertical Video Investment

FOX Entertainment has acquired an equity stake in HOLYWATER, a Ukraine-based leader in the vertical video space.

The two companies will partner on development deals with Hollywood talent, series production, ad sales and brand partnerships, with potential integration of popular FOX Entertainment IP.

“Innovation in digital storytelling is shaping the future of entertainment and investing in vertical video positions FOX Entertainment to achieve sustained, long-term growth as we build a modern studio for the future,” said Rob Wade, CEO of FOX Entertainment. “HOLYWATER is at the forefront of this evolution, skillfully using technology to fuel creativity. This partnership is all about finding different, innovative ways to tell stories and inspire storytellers and creators like never before, while giving us the tools and flexibility to bring talent ideas to life faster, smarter and across more platforms worldwide.”

“Vertical streaming is one of the fastest-growing areas in entertainment, and our goal at HOLYWATER is to make vertical series mainstream by raising the bar on quality and widening the genre slate,” said Bogdan Nesvit and Anatolii Kasianov, HOLYWATER’s co-founders and co-CEOs. “We’ve been focusing on storytelling depth to prove that verticals can carry premium drama, thriller, romance, and more—not just a narrow set of tropes. Our partnership with FOX Entertainment validates that vision and gives us the scale and creative firepower to accelerate it. FOX has already been a collaborative, innovative partner, and together we’re empowering major talent and building a vibrant library of gripping vertical series for audiences worldwide.”

HOLYWATER has more than 55 million users with a portfolio that includes the My Drama app, the My Passion digital book publishing platform and My Muse, a platform for vertical series produced with the support of generative AI.

FOX Entertainment Studios has committed to more than 200 vertical video titles for My Drama over the next two years. The inaugural slate includes Billionaire Blackmail and Bound by Obsession, both currently in production and shooting in Atlanta, Georgia.