The free streaming channel is a partnership between Blue Ant Media and World of Wonder, featuring global versions of the hit Drag Race franchise
(Toronto, ON – June 8, 2023) International producer, distributor and channel operator, Blue Ant Media, and Emmy-winning, multi-platform media company World of Wonder, announced today the launch of Drag Race Universe on The Roku Channel. Drag Race Universe offers U.S. audiences global versions of World of Wonder’s Emmy Award-winning Drag Race series. With several international franchises and a bevy of spin-offs celebrating drag culture, Drag Race Universe brings a constant pipeline of new seasons and drag-related programming exclusively to FAST audiences.
“What better timing than Pride Month to bring Drag Race Universe to The Roku Channel audience,” says Jamie Schouela, President, Global Channels & Media, Blue Ant Media. “Drag Race is one of the world’s most popular reality franchises and now FAST viewers can discover all of the global versions.”
Produced by World of Wonder, the Drag Race franchise is an Emmy Award-winning competition series that has become a worldwide phenomenon, bringing the art of drag to the mainstream. Drag queens from all around the world have put their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent to the test in the search for the coveted title of Next Drag Superstar.
Programming launch highlights on the Drag Race Universe channel include: Canada’s Drag Race Seasons 2 and 3 (19 x 60’); RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World (6 x 60’); RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Seasons 2 and 3 (20 x 60’); Drag Race Holland (8 x 60’), Drag Race Espana (10 x 60’), RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under Seasons 1 and 2 (16 x 60’), Drag Race France (8 x 60’); Drag Race Italia (8 x 60’), the first season of Drag Race Philippines (10 x 60’) and Drag Race Philippines Untucked (10 x 30’), its companion series that follows the backstage drama.
Blue Ant Media’s suite of FAST (free, ad-supported streaming TV) channels offer audiences curated programming that is easy and free to access on growing platforms like Freevee, Tubi, VIZIO WatchFree+, The Roku Channel, Xumo, Samsung TV Plus, PlutoTV and Sling Freestreaming. The company’s growing global portfolio of FAST channels include Love Nature, HauntTV, Total Crime, Homeful, HistoryTime, and Love Pets.
Launched in 2017, The Roku Channel is the home of free and premium entertainment on the Roku platform. In Q4 2022, The Roku Channel reached U.S. households with an estimated 100 million people. The Roku Channel was a top 5 channel on the Roku platform by active account reach and streaming hour engagement in Q1 2023. Today, The Roku Channel features a diverse lineup of more than 80,000 free movies and programs and more than 350 free live linear television channels in the U.S. It licenses and distributes content from more than 250 partners.
Blue Ant Media is a privately held, international content producer, distributor and channel operator. We own and operate numerous production companies in North America and Asia-Pacific, creating content for broadcasters and streaming platforms in multiple genres including factual entertainment, natural history, documentary and adult animation. Our distribution business, Blue Ant International, offers a substantial catalogue of content, including one of the world’s largest 4K natural history offerings. Blue Ant Media operates linear and free streaming channels under several brands including Love Nature, Smithsonian Channel (Canada), BBC Earth (Canada), BBC First (Canada), HauntTV, Homeful, CrimeTime, TotalCrime and HistoryTime. Blue Ant Media is headquartered in Toronto, with eight international offices in Los Angeles, New York, Singapore, Tokyo, London, Washington, Mumbai and Beijing. Blueantmedia.com Twitter⼁Instagram⼁LinkedIn
About World of Wonder
World of Wonder (WOW) has reshaped international pop culture, earning 30 Emmys, inspiring two Oscars, creating global network WOW Presents Plus across 190 territories, and bringing drag culture to the world stage via “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and DragCon. WOW’s pioneering television portfolio includes other smash-hit franchises like “Million Dollar Listing.” Their film division WOW Docs produces groundbreaking documentaries including “Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures,” “Party Monster,” and “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.” WOW also operates YouTube channel WOWPresents, music label World of Wonder Records, the WOW Podcast Network, and year-round international live events. Co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato have been profiled in Variety’s Reality TV Impact Report. Honors for their trailblazing work include the IDA Pioneer Award, Realscreen’s Global 100 list, and the OUT 100. In 2022, World of Wonder was ranked #2 among film and TV powerhouses in Fast Company’s World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies.