PBS and Independent Lens Launch New Documentary-Driven YouTube Channel (Exclusive)

PBS isn’t just for your grandparents anymore.

The public broadcasting mainstay is continuing to solidify its presence as a digital media player, launching a YouTube channel in collaboration with Independent Lens, an Emmy award-winning indie documentary series. The new channel, Indie Lens Storycast, will debut on Sept. 12 with its first doc, “Iron Maidens,” highlighting an all-girls competitive robotics team from Bronx Science High School.

Independent Lens Executive Producer Lois Vossen told TheWrap the nascent series aims to find dynamic stories that will appeal to a younger audience.

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“Indie Lens Storycast is our latest digital innovation with the launch of an online channel showcasing entertaining short stories with big impact,” said Vossen. “The four docu-series premiering this fall share the same DNA of our feature docs but take advantage of digital storytelling formats to attract Gen X audiences who want to engage with smart storytelling about vital contemporary issues.”

Soon after its premiere, the channel will rollout its second vehicle, “The F Word,” on Sept. 14, taking a look at the ups and downs of a Bay Area lesbian couple as it tries to adopt a child through the foster system.

With Indie Lens Storycast, PBS is doubling down on its strong Youtube foundation, where it has more than 12 million subscribers across its myriad of channels. And beyond YouTube, PBS has looked to budding forms of storytelling to bolster its credentials as a digital media destination. Network staple “Frontline” has been creating many of its renowned investigative documentaries in virtual reality, and promoted its new-school approach earlier this summer with a #VRWeek push on social media.

How Streaming Networks Invaded the Emmys: From 'House of Cards' to 'Handmaid's Tale' (Photos)

The streaming services are taking over the Emmys. Four years after "House of Cards" opened up the major categories to online content providers with three wins, Netflix, Hulu and Amazon have hit an all-time high with a combined total of 126 nominations. But how did we get here?
"House of Cards"
The political thriller became the first streaming-only original series to get nominated in major Emmy categories in 2013. It won three that year, including Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series and Outstanding Casting. The show has been nominated for 53 Emmys in total, six of which turned into major category wins.
Netflix
"Orange is the New Black"
Netflix seemed to be on a critical roll after "Orange is the New Black" debuted in 2014. It was nominated for 12 awards, including five in acting categories. Uzo Aduba, who plays Suzanne Warren, won for Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. She won a second time in 2015.
Netflix
"The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"
The Tina Fey-produced comedy was called the "first great sitcom of the streaming era" and the Emmy voters seem to agree. Since premiering in 2015, the show has garnered 16 nominations.
Netflix
"Transparent"
"Transparent" was -- and still is -- Amazon Prime's flagship show. In 2015, following its debut season, it won an unprecedented five Emmy awards, including Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series for Jill Soloway and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy for Jeffrey Tambor. The show has been a continuous staple at the Emmys since.
"Grace and Frankie"
2015 was a big year for streaming services at the Emmys. "Grace and Frankie" was yet another Netflix series that earned nominations in major categories. The show has continued to be a consistent presence at the awards ever since -- specifically in acting categories.
Netflix
"Jessica Jones"
The Marvel Netflix show became the first of the Defenders universe to get an Emmy win, for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music.
Netflix/Marvel
"Master of None"
The big addition at the 2016 Emmys was the Aziz Ansari-led comedy "Master of None." The Netflix series earned Ansari nominations for acting, writing and directing -- and a win for writing with his colleague Alan Yang. He'll get another shot in 2017 with more nominations in the same categories, including Outstanding Comedy Series.
TheWrap
"Stranger Things"
2017 is a huge year for Netflix, with 91 nominations for the streaming giant overall. And sleeper hit "Stranger Things,"created by relative newcomers Matt and Ross Duffer, earned a staggering 18 of them, including Outstanding Drama Series. For a genre show released with little marketing, this is quite a feat.
Netflix
"The Crown"
The hugely popular (and acclaimed) period drama about the life of Queen Elizabeth II earned Netflix five Emmy nominations this year.
Netflix
"Handmaid's Tale"
In 2017, Hulu established itself as a serious original programming contender with this adaptation of Margaret Atwood's seminal novel. The highly acclaimed series not only became arguably the defining political commentary of the early Trump-Era, it also went on to make history for Hulu with 13 nominations.
Hulu
"The Beatles: Eight Days a Week"
Hulu didn't stop with "The Handmaid's Tale." This documentary about the Beatles earned five nominations.
Getty Images
"Black Mirror"
The anthology series didn't qualify for the main Emmys until the third season arrived on Netflix. It got three nominations in 2017, including two for the episode "San Junipero" -- which was nominated for Outstanding Television Movie, despite being a part of an anthology.
Netflix

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Netflix, Hulu and Amazon have a combined 126 nominations this year

The streaming services are taking over the Emmys. Four years after "House of Cards" opened up the major categories to online content providers with three wins, Netflix, Hulu and Amazon have hit an all-time high with a combined total of 126 nominations. But how did we get here?

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How Streaming Networks Invaded the Emmys: From 'House of Cards' to 'Handmaid's Tale' (Photos)

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