Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow is partnering with a new faith-based streaming venture in the rapidly growing vertical video market, with plans to produce more than 30 family-friendly short-form series for mobile audiences.
Lighthouse Verticals announced it has entered into a partnership with Studio316, the faith-based content studio founded by The Tebow Group and Snow Story Productions, to develop an initial slate of original smartphone-friendly mini-episodes centered on faith and family entertainment.
The partnership pairs Lighthouse Verticals’ mobile-first distribution platform with Studio316’s focus on creating values-driven programming designed for short-form viewing, according to a statement sent to The Christian Post. The platform will reportedly feature episodic viewing, subscription options, community hubs, live discussions and referral rewards.
Lighthouse Verticals was co-founded by entertainment executives Brent Ryan Green, Jesse Liddell, Justin Levy and Scott Holroyd, whose combined credits include “The Chosen,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Teen Wolf,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “American Underdog,” “Risen” and “Dear Evan Hansen.” Green previously served as an executive producer on “The Chosen.”
Tebow, the former Heisman Trophy winner, bestselling author and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, will serve as an executive producer for Lighthouse Verticals. He most recently executive-produced the animated film “David.”
“This audience wants to engage with the culture without compromise,” Lighthouse Verticals CEO Jesse Liddell said in a statement. “They want entertainment with real emotion, real momentum and values they can trust, but they have largely been overlooked by the fastest-growing platforms in the space. Lighthouse Verticals was built for them.”
Liddell said Studio316 aligned with the company’s vision because “Tim, The Tebow Group and Snow Story share our belief that great storytelling and meaningful values are not mutually exclusive.”
“Together, we are creating a destination where audiences can discover compelling stories that inspire, entertain and bring communities together,” he said.
Tebow, who also served as an executive producer on the 2018 film “Run the Race,” said the venture reflects his belief in the influence of storytelling.
“I believe stories have the power to change how people see themselves, see others, and ultimately see Jesus,” Tebow said. “We’re committed to telling stories with excellence and our hope is that, ultimately, we can glorify God in the process.”
According to a November report from Variety, microdramas — which typically feature 1-to-5-minute, bingeable episodes designed for phones — didn’t exist just five years ago. Today, the industry, which has low production costs and has largely featured romance and soap operas, expects $26 billion in annual revenues by 2030.
“The story right now on microdramas is really about scale and structure,” Vivek Couto, executive director of Media Partners Asia, told the outlet. “It’s no longer a fad. It’s a new entertainment and monetization layer that sits between social media and streaming.”
In May, actor and producer Issa Rae’s Hoorae Media released the thriller “Screen Time,” one of the first studio-quality microdrama projects developed by a Hollywood production company. The TikTok-backed series drew nearly 75 million views during its first week.
Studio316 was established by The Tebow Group and Snow Story Productions to produce faith-based and family-friendly vertical entertainment. As a founding partner, Snow Story Productions will oversee development and production of the studio’s initial slate of more than 30 original series spanning multiple genres and age groups.
Edward Tommasi, executive producer at Snow Story Productions and co-founder of Studio316, said the companies see an opportunity to expand faith-based entertainment into emerging digital formats.
“Studio316 was created from a shared belief that faith-based entertainment has long been underserved by emerging digital formats, despite the enormous size and passion of the audience,” Tommasi said. “By combining Tim’s passion for faith-centered storytelling, The Tebow Group’s mission-driven vision, Snow Story’s production expertise and Lighthouse’s innovative distribution platform, we’re building something that can meaningfully expand the reach of faith-and-family entertainment.”
Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected]
