Sony Music Strikes Original Video Content Deal with YouTube star Kurt Hugo Schneider for New Digital Series

NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Music Entertainment is partnering with YouTube star Kurt Hugo Schneider to develop a new original series for digital video that will bring together one of the world's biggest YouTubers with some of the planet's hottest recording artists for exciting, never-before-seen musical creations.

The series, called TO THE BEAT with KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER, will feature Sony Music stars performing special versions of their hits in collaboration with Kurt, the producer, arranger, video editor, musician, and singer/songwriter behind a string of hugely popular music medley videos, original songs, and hit covers on YouTube.

Each installment of TO THE BEAT with KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER will feature a mix of heartfelt performances and insightful interviews between Kurt and his guests. The 10-epsiode digital show is set to debut in 2016 and will be streamed from Kurt's YouTube channel with more than 6 million subscribers and 40 million monthly views.

Kurt has become a viral media sensation for his creatively produced and edited reinterpretations of hits by Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, One Direction and more. Kurt's most popular videos feature vocal collaborations with his friends and fellow social influencers.  He has pioneered music video innovations, such as the illusion of a one-man a cappella choir, box editing, and one-take video shoots.

In addition to generating over 1.3 billion total views online, his work has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

TO THE BEAT with KURT HUGO SCHNEIDER is the most recent original content project from Sony Music, which also recently helped to bring to life the Streamy-nominated digital series, THANK YOU AND SORRY, from Jack Antonoff.

"We are delighted to be joining forces with Kurt, one of YouTube's biggest and most talented stars for this exciting new series. Kurt is a wonderful, multifaceted creative talent and has an incredibly special relationship with millions of passionate music fans around the world," said Lee Stimmel, Head of Original Content, Sony Music Entertainment. "This partnership highlights the great opportunities we have to connect our amazing artists and fans through original content."

"I'm thrilled to be working with Sony Music on this unique project," said Kurt Hugo Schneider. "As a producer on YouTube, my goal is to create great content that showcases performers.  I'm excited to be working with Sony's awesome performers."

About Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a current roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including Arista Nashville, Bazmark Records, Beach Street Records, Black Butter Records, BPG Music, Bystorm Entertainment, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Day 1, Descendant Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Essential Worship, Flying Buddha, Fo Yo Soul Recordings, Freesolo Entertainment, Kemosabe Records, Latium Entertainment, Legacy Recordings, Louder Than Life, Masterworks, Masterworks Broadway, OKeh, Polo Ground Music, Portrait, RCA Inspiration, RCA Nashville, RCA Records, Relentless Records, Reunion Records, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Syco Music, Vested in Culture and Volcano. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

SOURCE Sony Music Entertainment