Full Breakdown
Disney Teams with Dhar Mann Studios for 20-Episode Youth Series
8/22/2026, 8:21:39 PM
Core Deal Overview
- Who: The Walt Disney Company and Dhar Mann Studios.
- What: An initial order of 20 original episodes aimed at kids, tweens, teens and families.
- Where: Produced at Dhar Mann Studios’ three-stage, 125,000-square-foot facility in Burbank, California.
- When: Announced on Friday (no specific calendar date provided).
- How: Disney commissions the series; details on format, release platform and episode titles have not been disclosed.
Background & Context
Dhar Mann Studios has built a massive digital presence through short, morality-driven videos on YouTube and other platforms, reaching more than 170 million followers globally and generating nearly 300 million weekly views. Prior creator-led partnerships include a 40-title vertical-video slate with Fox Entertainment and a FAST channel on Samsung TV Plus.
Disney has been expanding its short-form and creator-focused offerings, launching the “Verts” vertical-video product on Disney+ and a TikTok partnership earlier this month. The new deal fits that broader push to integrate creator-originated content into Disney’s portfolio.
Key Figures & Groups
- Dhar Mann — founder of Dhar Mann Studios, known for scripted moral dramas on digital platforms.
- Asad Ayaz — Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, The Walt Disney Company.
- Debra O’Connell — Chairman, Disney Entertainment Television.
- Ayo Davis — Disney executive referenced in discussions of the partnership.
Data & Statistics
- Global audience: >170 million followers; ?300 million weekly views (all sources).
- YouTube subscriber base: 27.5 million.
- Production capacity: three-stage, 125,000 sq ft studio in Burbank.
- Prior deals: 40-title vertical-video slate with Fox Entertainment; FAST channel on Samsung TV Plus.
Why It Matters
The agreement signals Disney’s strategic shift toward integrating creator-driven, platform-native content into its traditional commissioning pipeline. By leveraging Mann’s proven ability to engage a massive digital audience, Disney hopes to attract younger viewers who primarily consume short-form, socially shared video. The deal also illustrates a broader industry trend of legacy studios recruiting talent from the creator economy rather than solely building in-house creator initiatives.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I grew up with Disney stories. Now I get to experience that same magic through the eyes of my own family, and the idea that we now have the opportunity to create stories for Disney for the next generation is incredibly meaningful to me.” — Dhar Mann, founder
- “Dhar has built a distinctive voice and an enormous global following, with stories that are uniquely his own,” — Asad Ayaz
- “For me, this is so much bigger than a content deal,” — Dhar Mann, founder
- “We’ve spent years building a direct relationship with our audiences and learning what makes them laugh, cry, share and, most importantly, feel seen,” — Dhar Mann, founder
What’s Next
Disney has indicated that further details about the series—such as episode titles, release schedule, and distribution platform—will be announced at a later date.
