Burbank, California, the so-called “Media Capital of the World” that is home to entertainment giants like Warner Bros. and Disney, recently welcomed Brandon Studios, a 30,000-square-foot production complex with soundstages, hair, makeup, wardrobe, livestream capacities, music studio, and offices—physical spaces that reflect a strategy prioritizing human connection over algorithmic optimization.

Founded in 2023 by former “American Idol” contestant Brandon Stewart, Brandon Studios is a multi-platform entertainment studio and tech company. As an extension of its SVOD streaming platform, Brandon TV, the studio serves creators who have been “historically overlooked by traditional gatekeepers” and produces five episodes across five different shows in a typical week.

Their mantra? “We’re not chasing the algorithm, we’re breaking it. We’re creatively driving stories that make the algorithm chase us,” states Brandon, whose media enterprise spans 63 channels with 120 million subscribers and 16 billion views.

The company was born from his desire to “flip the power dynamic” in media, giving creators “the space, tools, and platform to build an empire on their own terms.”

The ‘Fingertip Entertainment’ Approach

Brandon’s method centers on what he calls “fingertip entertainment” – a concept that shapes every aspect of Brandon Studios’ content strategy. “‘Fingertip entertainment’ means our content meets people exactly where they are emotionally, culturally, and literally right on their phones,” Brandon says. This philosophy guides the company in building content that works across platforms while maintaining emotional resonance.

“Algorithms may shift, but people don’t,” Brandon explains. “Our approach has always been audience-first. We study behavior, not just metrics. We start with the emotion we want to evoke, whether it’s shock, joy, curiosity, or nostalgia, and then adapt the storytelling to fit the pace, format, and culture of each platform.”

This emotion-first strategy translates into a practical system for creating content that works across multiple platforms. “A 30-minute YouTube episode becomes six micro-moments on TikTok. A viral quote on Threads becomes a hook for an Instagram Reel,” Brandon describes. “We build content that can live in multiple forms without losing its core mission: to deliver the message.”

Rather than having to master each platform individually, creators can focus on honest storytelling while Brandon’s team handles the platform-specific optimization. This system also allows Brandon Studios to operate efficiently with its small team while managing content across dozens of channels.

Bridging Generations Through Strategic Content Design

One of the primary challenges in digital media is bridging the differences in how various generations consume content. Brandon Studios has developed a strategy to address this, creating a clear value proposition for both creators and audiences.

“Gen Z and Alpha crave pace, raw moments, and a sense of chaos that feels honest. Boomers and Millennials, on the other hand, want story arcs, emotional payoff, and a polished production style,” Brandon notes. “The magic happens when we blend the two.”

This combined approach is particularly evident in Brandon TV’s original programming, where formats are designed to satisfy multiple viewing preferences simultaneously. The strategy extends to how content flows between platforms, creating what Brandon describes as a content journey: “TikTok is the appetizer, Brandon TV is the full-course meal.”

For creators, this approach offers a way to reach across demographic groups without diluting their voice or honesty. For audiences, it provides content that respects their platform preferences while encouraging them to engage more deeply. And for Brandon Studios as a business, it builds a more stable audience base that isn’t dependent on any single platform or demographic.

The Four Triggers That Break Algorithms

When evaluating which projects to greenlight, Brandon relies on a framework that goes beyond the standard metrics most digital media companies use.

“If I had to break it into a formula, I look at four key triggers: shareability, rewatchability, point of view, and emotional punch,” Brandon explains. “If people are quoting it, clipping it, remixing it, or arguing about it in the comments, that’s usually a green light.”

While views and watch time matter, Brandon is more interested in what happens after someone watches – do they share it? Talk about it? Come back to it?

“What actually breaks through is point of view,” Brandon insists. “When content has a pulse, a clear voice, a specific angle, and truth behind it, it cuts through the noise. The algorithm isn’t a mystery; it’s a mirror. It reflects what people care about, argue about, and feel.”

For creators, this framework offers relief from the optimization cycle that has worn out many digital content producers.

The ‘Encore’ Success Story

The performance of Brandon TV’s unscripted series “Encore” demonstrates how Brandon’s algorithm-breaking strategy translates into practical results.

“We didn’t expect it to explode the way it did, but it became a breakout hit, bringing a fresh wave of subscribers to Brandon TV and reigniting interest in ‘The Dolls,’ led by Coach Dianna Williams,” Brandon shares. The show succeeded by combining several elements that triggered genuine audience engagement: the return of beloved cast members Camryn Harris and Kayla Jones alongside their mothers, a regular release schedule, and consistent cross-platform promotion.

Image: Brandon and Dianna Williams on an episode of the late-night talk show “Obsessed”

“We showed up every week across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, dropping clips and teasers that hooked hundreds of thousands of fans,” Brandon explains. “That steady drumbeat built momentum until the show went viral. The fanbase didn’t just show up; they pulled others in.”

This consistent, cross-platform approach created a cycle of engagement that ultimately drove subscriber growth for Brandon TV. “‘Encore’ proved that the right cast, the right nostalgia, and the right digital strategy can breathe new life into an entire content ecosystem,” Brandon says. “Sometimes the show isn’t the whole story, it’s the spark.”

Short-Form as Gateway to Deeper Engagement

Brandon disagrees with the common belief that short-form content is reducing interest in traditional storytelling. Instead, he sees different formats as complementary elements in a cohesive content strategy that serves both creators and audiences.

“Short-form isn’t killing storytelling, it’s just a different kind of storytelling,” he insists. “Comparing short-form to long-form is like comparing apples to oranges. For years, short-form didn’t get a seat at the table, but now demand is forcing the market to make space.”

Brandon Studios uses short-form content as an entry point to deeper engagement rather than an end in itself. “At Brandon Studios, we see short- and long-form as two doors into the same universe: short-form captures curiosity, long-form builds connection,” Brandon explains.

The Business Engine

At the heart of Brandon’s content system is Brandon TV, his premium streaming platform, which represents a shift in how creators can handle distribution and monetization.

“Our premium streaming platform, Brandon TV, is the crown jewel,” Brandon explains. “It’s where we control the full funnel: content, data, community, and commerce. That’s where we’re doubling down.”

Unlike many creators who rely solely on third-party platforms, Brandon has invested in building his own distribution channel. This gives Brandon Studios control over the user experience, direct access to audience data, and independence from the algorithm changes that can harm creator businesses.

“Brandon TV gives us the freedom to experiment with formats, spotlight new voices, and connect directly with fans where they can be part of the storymaking process too,” Brandon says. “In the creator economy, owning your distribution is everything.”

For creators, this model offers a platform designed with their interests in mind, where their content isn’t subject to unpredictable algorithm changes or competing with an endless feed of unrelated videos. For audiences, it provides a dedicated home for the content they care about, curated by creators they trust, rather than relying on engagement algorithms.

“Brandon TV allows us to convert virality into loyalty and build long-term value from our IP,” Brandon explains. This approach to monetization spans multiple revenue streams – “ads, subscriptions, brand deals, and direct licensing” – creating a more stable business model for both Brandon Studios and its creator partners.

Expanding Beyond Reality TV

While Brandon Studios has grown primarily through unscripted programming, Brandon’s vision extends beyond reality TV.

“We’re just getting started. Right now, we’re expanding our catalog with new original shows, live events, and gamified experiences that put fans in the driver’s seat,” he says. “Brandon Studios is in the middle of some major expansion efforts, and Brandon TV has more iconic reality TV stars making their return to your screens.”

Brandon Studios is focused on putting immersive IP and gamified products in the forefront, with verticals such as unscripted television, documentaries, narrative feature films, scripted television, and broadcast.

“Reality TV is the entry point, but the vision is to expand into a much larger ecosystem across multiple niches,” Brandon explains.

Beyond Optimization

For those dealing with algorithms and platform policies, Brandon offers insights that challenge common assumptions about content strategy.

“The hard truth is: creativity will always be your fire, but if you don’t have a system to manage the heat, you’ll burn out fast,” Brandon cautions. “Building something sustainable means learning to love the boring stuff, too.”

This balance between creative vision and operational execution has been central to Brandon Studios’ ability to produce content at scale without sacrificing quality or honesty. “We’ve built custom templates, workflows, and editorial playbooks that cut through the noise and enable faster decisions,” Brandon reveals. “Creativity moves quickly when everyone’s aligned on the endgame and there’s no red tape in the way.”

Brandon encourages creators to trust their instincts rather than relying solely on metrics. “If a concept doesn’t spark an emotional reaction, it’s not Brandon Studios,” he says. “We make shows that make people feel seen and, hopefully, inspired to share.”

Perhaps most importantly, Brandon advocates for creators to develop their own distinctive approach rather than following formulas. “You have to make sure that your platform isn’t just a stage for you. It should be a space that elevates others, too,” he advises. “That’s where real longevity lives.”

In an industry that’s constantly changing, Brandon’s algorithm-breaking strategy offers an alternative to the optimization cycle that has left many creators tired and vulnerable to platform changes. 

“Study your patterns. Watch what connects and what doesn’t,” Brandon advises. “You’ll only get better by putting yourself out there.”