FilmRise, the New York-based film and TV studio and streaming network, has entered into a deal with Nigel Ng’s production company Orange Heart Productions to distribute his ongoing digital series “Uncle Roger” as part of the burgeoning FilmRise Creator Partner Program.
The partnership will see the digital series packaged and distributed by FilmRise into an episodic format and distributed onto SVOD, AVOD, TVOD and FAST platforms worldwide.
“‘Uncle Roger’ is a hysterical food personality who we believe is suited to thrive in the greater streaming world, where FilmRise commands an important role as a digital distributor and streaming network in fast-changing space,” Max Einhorn, SVP, acquisitions and co-productions for FilmRise, said in a statement. “FilmRise is becoming an essential part of a reactor’s toolkit for audience growth and additional monetization of their existing YouTube content libraries, without much legwork.”
Ng’s online persona “Uncle Roger” is a middle-aged Asian man who reviews and roasts celebrity chefs for botching Asian cooking, notably Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, who occasionally take part in the fun as collaborators. Whether he’s coming for culinary media personalities or defending the importance of MSG, Ng’s Uncle Roger makes audiences laugh with the end goal of cultivating a love for Asian food.
“I’m excited to partner with FilmRise to show more people around the world how celebrity chefs mess up Asian food,” said Ng in a statement. “As a result, hopefully more people will invest in rice cookers in the process.”
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Ng is a Malaysian stand-up comedian, actor and international star. In 2020, he went viral with his portrayal of Uncle Roger, a middle-aged Asian man reviewing an egg fried rice video. In 24 months, he has amassed more than a billion views on his YouTube channels and a combined following of more than 20 million across his social media platforms.
Ng recently finished a world stand up tour where he performed for more than 100,000 people across 100 shows. He toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia. He is currently developing a sitcom with ABC Signature, a TV project with Gordon Ramsay’s company, Studio Ramsay, a feature film and an animated series based on his character.
The deal was negotiated by Bianca Serafini, director of digital content, for FilmRise. Nigel and Orange Heart Productions are represented by WME and United Agents.