Kevin Hart’s LOL Network Turning Laughs Into Watch-Time
By programming its YouTube similarly to a cable network, LOL Network is carving out a unique niche that other media companies can mimic as well.
As consumer stresses seem to increase, they’re apt to turn to comforting and humorous programming as an escape, according to new Tubular Labs data. LOL Network – Kevin Hart’s YouTube comedy venture with Lionsgate that houses content from Hart and other comedians, as well as full movies – is helping drive up watch-time and demand on the channel. According to Tubular’s Audience Ratings:
- In April, LOL Network uploaded full movies like Good Burger and Beverly Hills Cop, helping drive a 40% increase in minutes watched month-over-month on YouTube, to over 182 million minutes in the U.S. alone (No. 54 among all domestic media creators).
- LOL Network also grew its YouTube audience by 148% vs. March, to 9.7 million unique viewers – its highest marks in over 13 months.
Hosting full movies along with podcast-type interviews from Kevin Hart shows, LOL Network is evolving its approach to lean into how consumers are increasingly watching YouTube: On TV, as a substitute for “traditional” TV programming.
By programming its YouTube similarly to a cable network – recurring shows split with archival movies – and a clear focus, LOL Network is carving out a unique niche that other media companies can mimic as well.
