Fox and Endemol Shine to launch scripted vertical Fear Factor series on Holywater's My Drama
Fox Entertainment Studios and Endemol Shine North America are making a scripted vertical horror series based on Fear Factor for Holywater Tech's My Drama platform. It is billed as the first jump from an unscripted TV franchise to original scripted storytelling.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Fox Entertainment Studios and Endemol Shine North America, a Banijay company, are producing a scripted vertical series spun off from Fear Factor, which will stream on Holywater Tech's My Drama platform. DeadlineN “will debut on Holywater Tech‘s My Drama platform. Date TBA.” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “The microseries will stream on the My Drama platform owned by Holywater Tech, in which Fox has an equity stake.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Mixed · 2The series is as yet untitled and has no release date. It will have 30 three-minute episodes and is made for mobile-first audiences. DeadlineN “The series, which will consist of 30 three-minute episodes, is created from the ground up for mobile-first audiences” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “The Fear Factor microseries will have 30 three-minute episodes.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Mixed · 2According to its logline, the story takes place during prep week on a remote horror television set, where a practical-effects artist and her crew unleash a haunted fortune-telling machine that forces them into personalized death trials, leaving survivors to uncover its tragic origins. The Hollywood ReporterLC “where a practical-effects artist and her crew unleash a haunted fortune-telling machine that forces them into personalized death trials” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “leaving the survivors to uncover its tragic origins before it claims everyone they love.” Read at Deadline ↗
Mixed · 2Fox says the project is the first leap from an unscripted television franchise into original scripted storytelling, and it is also My Drama's first horror series. DeadlineN “is making the first-ever leap from an established unscripted television franchise to an original scripted series” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “It’s also the first horror series for My Drama (though there are a number of vampire and werewolf romances on the platform).” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Centre · 1Ian Nsenga and Yuliia Vyshnevska produce, Gabriel Caste directs, and Thom Woodley and Andrew Beck write. Worldwide distribution will be managed by Fox Entertainment Global. DeadlineN “Written by Thom Woodley and Andrew Beck, the series is directed by Gabriel Caste and produced by Ian Nsenga and Yuliia Vyshnevska.”“worldwide distribution managed by Fox Entertainment Global” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2Hannah Pillemer, head of scripted at Fox Entertainment Studios, credited the response to Fear Factor: House of Fear for opening the door. Michael Heyerman, EVP of unscripted series at Endemol Shine North America, said the franchise is naturally suited to vertical storytelling. The Hollywood ReporterLC “The tremendous response [to Fear Factor: House of Fear] has opened the door to take Fear Factor somewhere it has never gone before” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN ““Few franchises are as naturally built for vertical as Fear Factor,” said Michael Heyerman” Read at Deadline ↗
Left · 1Holywater co-founders and co-CEOs Anatolii Kasianov and Bogdan Nesvit said the project advances their aim of making My Drama a trusted platform for studios, creators and IP, and of helping vertical TV become mainstream. The Hollywood ReporterLC “turning My Drama into a trusted platform for studios, creators and IP like Fear Factor come to life” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Centre · 1The announcement follows a Season 2 renewal of the Johnny Knoxville-hosted Fear Factor: House of Fear, due in the 2026-27 season. Deadline reports, citing Fox and Nielsen, that the first season debuted to 17.5 million multiplatform viewers on Fox and Hulu, and that the Banijay format has had 32 adaptations worldwide. DeadlineN “debuted on Fox and Hulu to 17.5 million multiplatform viewers”“Fear Factor, a Banijay Entertainment format, has become a global television phenomenon with 32 adaptations worldwide.” Read at Deadline ↗ Left · 1The Hollywood Reporter notes that Holywater bills itself as an "AI-first company" but that this is a physical production. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Holywater bills itself as an “AI-first company,” but the Fear Factor series is a physical production.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- The Hollywood Reporter treats it as a trade-news item on Fear Factor going vertical, adding context on Fox's equity stake in Holywater and the platform's content.
- Emphasis
- Fox's equity stake in Holywater, My Drama's existing vampire and werewolf romances, and Holywater's 'AI-first' branding set against a physical production.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not give House of Fear's ratings, the 32 adaptations figure or the distribution arm.
- Charged language
- “Goes Vertical”
- For example
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“The series will stream on Holywater's My Drama platform, in which Fox has an equity stake.” — The Hollywood Reporter
“Holywater bills itself as an “AI-first company,” but the Fear Factor series is a physical production.” — The Hollywood Reporter
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Deadline presents it as a franchise milestone, leading with the claim of a first-ever leap from unscripted to scripted.
- Emphasis
- The franchise's success: House of Fear's 17.5 million multiplatform viewers, the Season 2 renewal, 32 adaptations worldwide, and the creative and distribution credits.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Fox's equity stake in Holywater or the AI-first branding.
- Charged language
- “first-ever leap”“iconic franchise”
- For example
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“Fear Factor: House Of Fear is making the first-ever leap from an established unscripted television franchise to an original scripted series.” — Deadline
“ranking as the season’s highest-rated broadcast debut and No. 1 new unscripted series among Adults 18-49, per Fox and Nielsen.” — Deadline
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The series is a 30-episode, three-minute-per-episode vertical show from Fox Entertainment Studios and Endemol Shine North America.
- It will stream on Holywater Tech's My Drama platform and is My Drama's first horror series.
- Fox describes it as the first unscripted-to-scripted franchise extension.
- Fear Factor: House of Fear has been renewed for a second season.
Fox Corporation organisation
Fox, through Hannah Pillemer, presents the project as a bold new step that builds on House of Fear's success and makes Fear Factor the first unscripted franchise to move into original scripted storytelling.
“becoming the first unscripted television franchise to make the leap into original scripted storytelling” — Deadline
Holywater Tech organisation
Holywater's co-founders say the project is a step toward making My Drama a trusted platform for studios, creators and IP and toward mainstream vertical TV.
“This is another step toward expanding the audience and helping vertical TV evolve into mainstream entertainment.” — The Hollywood Reporter
Left2 articles
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‘Fear Factor’ Goes Vertical With Scripted Microdrama
Neutral Trade report that relays the announcement and adds context on Fox's stake in Holywater and its 'AI-first' branding.
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Centre1 article
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Celebratory Industry-news write-up that leads with the 'first-ever' scripted leap and backs it with ratings and franchise reach figures, mostly relaying company statements.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 27 Oct 18:00 First The Hollywood ReporterLC ‘Fear Factor’ Goes Vertical With Scripted Microdrama
- 27 Oct 18:00 First DeadlineN ‘Fear Factor’ Vertical Scripted Spinoff Set To Launch On Holywater Tech’s My Drama From Fox & Endemol Shine North America
- 27 Oct 18:39 +40m VarietyLC Fox and Endemol Shine Team to Adapt ‘Fear Factor’ as a Scripted Microdrama Series for My Drama App
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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