• by Sara Guaglione , May 5, 2017

Time Inc. announced a slew of new video series and live streaming programs, as well as a new video-on-demand streaming network at its NewFront 2017 presentation yesterday. The company will launch a sports-focused streaming video on demand service from its Sports Illustrated brand.

The Sports Illustrated network will produce long- and short-form sports programming, ranging from original series, exclusive documentaries, analysis from Sports Illustrated’s experts, fantasy sports shows and live on-demand programming from sports and entertainment events.

Rich Battista, Time Inc. president and CEO, called it "the natural evolution of this iconic brand.”

The move follows the debut last fall of its advertiser-supported “over-the-top” video streaming service, the People/Entertainment Weekly Network.

Time Inc. is also launching The Pretty, a new standalone social-video brand targeting millennial and Gen Z beauty fans. The brand will debut this summer.

The Pretty comes after the launch of social video food brand Well Done in March, which has generated more than 155 million views. It is sponsored by L’Oréal Paris and Maybelline New York.

The Pretty’s videos will launch on new Facebook and Instagram channels and will be distributed through HelloGiggles’ Facebook and Instagram handles. Time Inc.’s beauty portfolio, which includes HelloGiggles, People, InStyle, Real Simple, Essence, PeopleStyle and People en Español, will also distribute the videos.

“When we produce these videos, we’re asking ourselves, ‘does it make me feel smarter and more in-the-know? Is it fun to watch? And, do I immediately want to share this with friends?’ Our goal is to answer all three questions with yes,” stated Zoe Ruderman, executive director of content strategy for style, entertainment & sports and editor of The Pretty.

At the NewFront, Time Inc. also announced it will launch two other social video brands, DIY-focused ReMade to come this fall and wine, cocktail, beer and beverage-focused The Barrel, which will debut by year's-end.

Additionally, the company will produce a second People Now live daily talk show for the afternoon, multiple new video series, an Essence partnership with Twitter and a new mobile video advertising product called Adapt Video.

In 2017, the company expects to produce more than 50,000 videos, including 150 new and returning franchises and series and over 1,500 live programming hours. In April, it attracted more than 1 billion video views across its network. Time Inc. says it is on pace to exceed 8.5 billion views this year, nearly doubling the previous year’s total.

Last week, Time Inc. ended speculation that it was up for sale. In a statement, it acknowledged talks with a “number of expressions of interest,” but said the company had not “initiated the process” and that it will pursue its own strategic plan going forward.