Brief

Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat signs vertical‑series deal with Fox Entertainment

The partnership gives Fox first‑look rights to Hartbeat’s vertical series and will launch 25 live‑action titles on My Drama.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 13 Oct 2026 19:32:25 GMT

Kevin Hart’s production company Hartbeat has signed a vertical‑series partnership with Fox Entertainment, announced at MIPCOM on Tuesday, according to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

What happened

The agreement gives Fox Entertainment Studios first‑look rights to develop feature‑film and television projects from vertical series released under Hartbeat’s Codeblack, Essence and Revolt labels. Fox Entertainment Global will handle worldwide distribution after each title’s initial run on the My Drama platform, which is operated by Holywater Tech. The pipeline launches with 25 live‑action titles spanning thriller, drama and faith‑based genres.

What the reports add

Variety notes that Codeblack’s partnership with Holywater Tech includes a dedicated branded channel on My Drama, while The Hollywood Reporter specifies that Fox acquired a strategic stake in Holywater Tech last year. Both outlets report that the three Hartbeat labels together have a social following of more than 20 million. Variety describes the titles as “the first stage of intellectual property development,” whereas The Hollywood Reporter emphasizes that the vertical dramas will be used to test stories and characters before committing to longer formats.

What was said

“Hartbeat has a powerful creative voice and an exceptional instinct for stories that connect with audiences,” Hannah Pillemer, head of scripted at Fox Entertainment Studios, told Variety.

How it came about

The deal follows Fox’s recent moves to expand its pop‑culture footprint, including the hiring of Billy Bush as a contributor to Fox News earlier this month (Felo coverage). By securing a pipeline of short‑form vertical content, Fox aims to identify bold ideas in real time and develop them into longer‑form projects.

Key facts

Hartbeat signed a vertical‑series partnership with Fox Entertainment. (variety.com)
Fox Entertainment Studios will have first‑look rights to Hartbeat’s Codeblack, Essence and Revolt vertical series. (hollywoodreporter.com)
The partnership will launch 25 live‑action titles across thriller, drama and faith‑based genres. (variety.com)
The three Hartbeat labels have a combined social following of over 20 million. (hollywoodreporter.com)
Vertical series will premiere on a new Codeblack‑branded channel on My Drama, operated by Holywater Tech. (hollywoodreporter.com)
Hannah Pillemer said the partnership lets Fox identify bold ideas in the vertical space. (variety.com)