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Defy Media, home of YouTube superstars Smosh, is shutting down

Defy Media, home of YouTube superstars Smosh, is shutting down

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Also home to Smosh Games and Clevver

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The 5th Annual Streamy Awards - Inside
Smosh co-founders Ian Hecox (L) and Anthony Padilla.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Dick Clark Productions

Smosh, Smosh Games, and Clevver are some of YouTube’s most popular channels, but their teams are looking for a new studio in the wake of news that their parent company, Defy Media, is closing its doors.

“Regretfully, Defy Media has ceased operations today,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday evening. “We are extremely proud of what we accomplished here at Defy and in particular want to thank all the employees who worked here. We deeply regret the impact that this has had on them today… Unfortunately, market conditions got in the way of us completing our mission.”

Ian Hecox, Smosh’s co-founder, tweeted about Defy Media’s closure on Tuesday night, telling followers that Smosh’s team was “already in the process of finding a new home.”

“Smosh has been enjoying record numbers lately, and this closure won’t stop us,” Hecox wrote. “The family that we’ve worked to build over the past 13 years is not going away.”

Joslyn Davis, an executive producer at celebrity news channel Clevver, offered a similar statement regarding the YouTube channel’s future.

“We also want to let you know that this closure doesn’t mean we’re going away,” Davis tweeted. “We are in the process of finding a new home for Clevver and will update you all as soon as possible. Making awesome videos for you guys is our number one priority, and we’re hoping to have some exciting news to share with you soon.”

Defy Media’s digital network has produced more than 75 series on YouTube with different channels, with 140 million online followers across YouTube and other social media. The company, which was founded in 2008 as Break Media and acquired in 2011 by Alloy Digital, had more than 400 people working under its umbrella at one point. The company has cut back on staffing over the years, according to Variety.

Notices sent to employees indicate that the company’s Los Angeles location will close in January 2019, though it is unclear what this means for the employees at that location in the meantime. The Verge has reached out to Defy Media for comment.