EXCLUSIVE: Big Shot Pictures, the next generation family entertainment company founded by Brian Robbins, has set a strategic partnership with Shaun McBride’s media company Spacestation, revolving around children’s YouTube star Adley McBride (A for Adley), for the production of next-generation kids and family content.
Together, Big Shot, Spacestation and McBride will work on a digital-first animated Eloise series, as well as an extension of the Eloise consumer product business, following Big Shot’s acquisition of rights to the Kay Thompson book series Eloise at the Plaza earlier this year. The animated series will translate Adley’s signature “Best Day Ever” spirit into original storytelling for the first time.
Another facet of the strategic partnership is a creator-focused incubator, with an eye toward accelerating IP building through animation, consumer products, and business ventures.
One of the most-watched children’s personalities on the internet, McBride’s A for Adley – Learning & Fun has surpassed 8.5 million YouTube subscribers and 12 billion lifetime views, consistently ranking among the top 50 YouTube channels in the United States and averaging 100–150 million views per month. Her mobile games have surpassed 6.9 million combined downloads, with her merchandise lines selling out repeatedly.
“With the support of her incredible family, Adley has built a personality that kids love unconditionally and parents trust completely,” Robbins told Deadline. “We’re thrilled to partner with her and the Spacestation team to further build her world, and create a perfect extension of the Eloise universe, allowing us to innovate in the social space alongside a digital powerhouse like Adley.”
McBride commented, “Our family gets to share stories that are meaningful to millions of real people, I mean how awesome is that!! Everything we create comes together alongside our crew, then out to a community that’s been growing with us over the years.. we’re all kinda creating the story together as we go.. a universe of characters, stories, games, and animation that families genuinely connect with. Brian Robbins and the amazing team at Big Shot really understand that and bring the highest level of experience and excitement to what we are doing at Spacestation. They believe in creator storytelling and want to help us dream bigger while keeping the same scrappy creative energy and ‘why’ that got us here. This story is just getting started.”
Formerly co-CEO of Paramount Global, Robbins announced his intention to produce the global kids franchises of tomorrow via his new Big Shot Pictures banner in January. Focused on assembling a slate built around creators with loyal digital audiences, its partnership with McBride fits squarely within a digital-first model, which uses YouTube to build audience and IP while scaling to theatrical releases and streaming.
Big Shot has a first-look theatrical distribution deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment and is backed by strategic investment from Greycroft, Sony Pictures, MarcyPen Capital Partners, ValueAct Capital, and CAA. Previously announced projects include an anime series with globally recognized streamer IShowSpeed, written and produced by One Piece showrunner Matt Owens; the acquisition and reimagination of the Eloise at the Plaza franchise; and a short-form animated series for YouTube with The Bucket List Family.
