Global, the UK-based Media & Entertainment group, announced on October 7, 2025, the acquisition of The Fellas Studios as the first deal under its newly launched Global Studios banner.
Founded in 2021 by YouTubers Callum Airey (Calfreezy) and Joshua Larkin (TheBurntChip), The Fellas Studios has emerged as the UK's leading creator network, producing video first podcast content that reaches millions across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and social platforms. The acquisition brings The Fellas Studios' entire roster under Global's umbrella, including hit shows The Fellas, Saving Grace with GK Barry (which completed a sold-out theatre tour in 2024), Pitchside, Bach & Arthur, and other Gen Z focused properties. Ashley Tabor-King, Founder & Executive President of Global, stated, "The launch of Global Studios marks the start of the next chapter in Global's on-demand audio and video growth," while the founders expressed excitement about the partnership's potential to expand their reach and support their talent.
The Fellas Studios subsidiary shows.
The Fellas Studios' Strategic Advantage
What makes The Fellas Studios valuable is the authentic connection they've built with their community. Their roster includes some of the UK's most talked about Gen Z shows. Shows like Saving Grace with GK Barry climbed to the Edison top 10 through content that resonated so deeply that audiences became advocates, culminating in a sold out theatre tour in 2024. With 4.7 billion views accumulated and a diverse portfolio spanning flagship shows, social media personalities, and digital sports broadcasting properties, The Fellas Studios proved they understood how to build brands around talent.
Why This Acquisition Made Strategic Sense for Global
For Global, acquiring The Fellas Studios represents a massive strategic step. Industry observers note that "The Fellas video first approach was pretty different to most UK 'podcasting' operations and is very of the moment with the opportunities from Spotify and YouTube". Global gains immediate access to Gen Z audiences that traditional broadcasters struggle to reach, along with proven expertise in video first content creation that aligns perfectly with where the podcast industry is heading. The acquisition also brings a network that had already secured £1.5 million in investment from notable creators including KSI and the Sidemen, validating the business model before Global entered the picture. By integrating The Fellas Studios as the first cornerstone of their new Global Studios division, Global combines their award winning podcast slate with authentic creator led content, offering advertisers and creators a comprehensive platform backed by Global's unrivalled marketing power across radio, digital, and outdoor networks.
The Fellas Studio all time impressions.
The Precedent for Grassroots Creator Agencies
For similar grassroots creator agencies, this acquisition sets a powerful precedent. Traditional media companies like Global are recognizing they can't manufacture what creators build naturally. As one industry expert noted, "word of mouth is the greatest advertising" has never been more true as creators "create authentic and effective connections between brands and consumers". The deal validates the business model of creator owned networks that prioritize community over quick scale, demonstrating that building genuine audience relationships has measurable financial value. For emerging creator collectives, this means focusing on authenticity first, the commercial value will follow if the connection is real.
The Future of Media Partnerships
For brands and grassroots creator agencies alike, this means working with authentic voices rather than trying to control the message. When you build real community, when people feel heard, entertained, and connected, you create something worth investing in. Authenticity can't be faked, it can't be rushed, and increasingly, it can't be ignored. The Fellas Studios' journey from YouTuber founded startup to major media acquisition in just four years shows that creator agencies don't need decades to build valuable media properties, they need genuine connection with their audiences and the courage to scale without losing what made them special in the first place. As industry observers acknowledge, bringing together different operational cultures is the challenging part, but staying true to the creative vision is what preserves value.
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