The SoundMan “Amplified” car audio show, in which a car audio shop films it’s day-to-day installations and posts the “episodes” on YouTube, has been picked up by Revision3, owned by Discovery Channel parent, Discovery Communications, and will soon reach a broader audience.
Amplified isn’t hitting cable TV just yet, but it will appear across the Internet in venues such as Roku, Boxee, Google TV, iTunes and other Internet TV spots beyond YouTube, with hopes the show will generate up to 150,000 views per episode.
SoundMan’s Doug Bernards has been producing the show, which is entering its fourth season (after 72 episodes), and currently attracts an audience of about 10,000 per show in the 25 to 44 year old male demographic (but occasional episodes get 50,000 – 200,000 views). Under the new deal, the hope is to broaden that audience to the 15 to 55 year old male, and extend awareness of car audio.
Bernards said, “I feel a strong sense of community when I see how many people relate to Amplified.” He hopes to shed light on car audio and the products available as well as help people “make better choices in regards to product and choosing a shop to work on their car.”
Revision3 believes the show will increase exposure to car audio. “Definitely,” said Ryan Vance, Senior VP of Programming and Production at Revision3. “They help to demystify car audio and make you realize how creative you can get with your car.”
He said Revision3 first discovered SoundMan when it was one of the first to install an iPad in the dash. “We like the energy and ingenuity of these guys who have been creating a reality show on their own out of their shop. I think a broader audience is really going to like it as well.”
As an Internet reality show, the show differs from a TV reality show, which Bernards says is “heavily scripted and over-edited.” “With Revision3 I am able to deliver a much more organic and true to life experience,” he added.
Bernards retains full control, but now ads will be edited into the show and Bernards gets a cut of the revenue.
Revision3 carries other shows such as Tekzilla. It calls itself the leading special interest video network. It was acquired by Discovery Communications this spring, and now operates as an independent division.
The new season under Revision3 begins October 1.
Source: SoundMan Car Audio, Santa Clarita, CA.
