What Above Average does

Above Average is a New York-based comedy production company founded in 2012 by Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video, operating as Broadway Video's dedicated comedy production arm. The company produces a portfolio of premium comedy content — primarily stand-up specials, but also original scripted series, feature-length TV movies, and most recently video podcasts — commissioned by major streaming platforms and television networks. Its buyer roster includes Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Comedy Central, with active production across all five simultaneously. The company's core competitive position rests on its access to the Broadway Video and SNL talent ecosystem, which has produced a roster that includes Pete Davidson, Alex Edelman, Tig Notaro, Anthony Jeselnik, Matteo Lane, Atsuko Okatsuka, and Colin Quinn. Above Average executive-produces rather than self-distributes; all of its content is distributed through its platform partners, with marketing largely earned via coverage in Variety, the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Vulture, AV Club, Deadline, and the New York Post.

The company's business model is enterprise B2B production-for-hire, structured as licensing and production-fee agreements with streaming platforms and networks rather than direct-to-consumer revenue. Pricing is negotiated on a project-by-project basis with platform buyers, with no consumer-facing pricing or subscription model. The company does not publicly disclose revenue. Its output is anchored by the Emmy-winning special Alex Edelman: Just For Us (HBO, 2023), the Emmy-nominated scripted series The Other Two (HBO Max, through Season 3), the Emmy-nominated special Tig Notaro: Hello Again (Amazon), and the recently launched Netflix video podcast The Pete Davidson Show (2026). Leadership comprises Lorne Michaels (Founder, via Broadway Video), with David Birnbaum and Jack Sullivan in operational roles and Marc Lieberman and Ayala Cohen as producers.

Strategically, Above Average is a small-footprint (11–50 employees), high-pedigree production entity that has translated its Broadway Video affiliation into a multi-decade production pipeline with the largest U.S. comedy-content buyers. The most recent strategic move is a deliberate format expansion into video podcasting via Netflix, suggesting the company is broadening beyond its traditional stand-up-and-scripted-series base to capture a new, recurring content surface.

Name

Above Average

Legal name

Above Average

Website

https://aboveaverage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Above Average is a New York-based comedy production company founded in 2012 by Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video, producing stand-up specials, scripted series, and video podcasts for major streaming platforms including Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Comedy Central.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Comedy Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121)

akta.pro primary industry

Stand-Up Comedy Shows (MPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Live-Action TV Movies, Miniseries & Specials Production (MPADABAD)

Keywords

• Comedy production
• Stand-up specials
• Scripted series
• Video podcasts
• Entertainment content

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Above Average is a New York-based comedy production company founded in 2012 by Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video. It produces original premium comedy programming—including stand-up specials, scripted comedy series, video podcasts, and TV movies—for major streaming platforms and television networks such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Comedy Central.

Product overview

Above Average is a New York-based comedy production company founded in 2012 by Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video. The company produces a portfolio of comedy content including stand-up comedy specials for major streaming platforms (Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Comedy Central) and original scripted comedy series. The portfolio includes stand-up specials such as Pete Davidson: Turbo Fonzarelli (Netflix), Alex Edelman: Just For Us (HBO), Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Special (Hulu), Atsuko Okatsuka: Father (Hulu), Tig Notaro: Hello Again (Amazon), Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All, and Colin Quinn & Friends: A Parking Lot Comedy Show (HBO Max), as well as the original series The Other Two (HBO Max), the feature film Office Race (Comedy Central), and the video podcast The Pete Davidson Show (Netflix).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pete Davidson: Turbo Fonzarelli Netflix stand-up comedy special executive produced by Above Average, featuring Pete Davidson discussing turning 30, love, life, and living in the woods. Directed by Jason Orley.
• The Other Two HBO Max original scripted comedy series produced by Above Average, satirizing the entertainment industry. Critically acclaimed and Emmy nominated. Created by Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider.
• Alex Edelman: Just For Us Emmy-winning HBO stand-up comedy special executive produced by Above Average, filmed on Broadway, about Alex Edelman's experience attending a White Nationalist meeting in Queens.
• Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Special Hulu stand-up comedy special executive produced by Above Average, featuring Matteo Lane telling stories of his Italian and Mexican heritage, international travels, and Mariah.
• Atsuko Okatsuka: Father Hulu stand-up comedy special executive produced by Above Average, featuring Atsuko Okatsuka's comedy about her fans calling her 'Mother' when she is more like 'Father'.
• Tig Notaro: Hello Again Amazon Prime Video stand-up comedy special executive produced by Above Average, featuring Tig Notaro's Emmy-nominated performance about awkward misunderstandings, health scares, and family moments.
• Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All Stand-up comedy special executive produced by Above Average celebrating Anthony Jeselnik's 20 years in stand-up, featuring his signature twisted and unexpected style. Named among the best comedy of 2024 by the New York Times and Vulture.
• Office Race Comedy Central TV movie produced by Above Average, a feature film about an unambitious office worker who goes 26.2 miles to defeat his exercise-obsessed boss. Starring Joel McHale, Beck Bennett, Kelsey Grammer, J.B. Smoove, and Alyson Hannigan.
• Colin Quinn & Friends: A Parking Lot Comedy Show HBO Max stand-up comedy special combining stand-up and documentary, featuring comedians performing at a repurposed Brooklyn drive-in theater for a socially distanced show.
• The Pete Davidson Show

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Broadway VideoflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroadway Video, founded by Lorne Michaels, is the parent company that founded Above Average in 2012. This is the core strategic partnership that established Above Average as Lorne Michaels' comedy production company.
• NetflixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetflix is a major production partner, hosting Above Average productions including Pete Davidson's stand-up special 'Turbo Fonzarelli' and the new video podcast 'The Pete Davidson Show'.
• HBO MaxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBO Max partners with Above Average for original series like 'The Other Two' (Season 3) and stand-up specials like Alex Edelman's Emmy-winning 'Just For Us'.
• HulucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHulu hosts Above Average comedy specials including Matteo Lane's 'The Al Dente Special' and Atsuko Okatsuka's 'Father'.
• Amazon Prime VideocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon Prime Video partners with Above Average for stand-up specials including Tig Notaro's Emmy-nominated 'Hello Again'.
• Comedy CentralminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerComedy Central works with Above Average on TV movies such as 'Office Race' starring Joel McHale and Kelsey Grammer.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Conaco: Conan O'Brien's production company producing late-night and comedy content for TBS, HBO Max, and podcasting. Comparable in talent-driven comedy production model and platform distribution.
• Funny or Die: Comedy-focused production company producing sketches, specials, and series for digital and TV platforms. Direct competitor in the premium digital comedy production space.
• Comedy Dynamics: Comedy production and distribution company specializing in stand-up specials for streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu). Directly comparable in producing one-off comedy specials for major streamers.
• Broadway Video: Lorne Michaels' production company and the parent of Above Average. Operates the same comedy/late-night production model with SNL and other shows; the most directly comparable entity as both an internal affiliate and a sibling producer.
• Judd Apatow Productions: Comedy-focused production company producing scripted series and films. Comparable in producing multi-season premium comedy series and feature-length comedies for streaming/TV.

Broad incumbents

• A24: Independent film and TV producer known for premium, prestige-leaning scripted content. Comparable as an indie production brand with multi-platform distribution and award recognition, though broader than comedy.
• 3 Arts Entertainment: Talent management and production company producing TV comedies and stand-up specials. Comparable as a producer of premium comedy content for streamers and broadcast networks.
• Lionsgate: Independent studio producing film and TV across genres, including comedy. Comparable as an indie-leaning supplier to major platforms with a broad scripted content slate.
• Brillstein Grey Entertainment: Talent management and TV/film production company with deep comedy pedigree. Comparable in producing scripted comedy series and managing comedian talent for networks and streamers.
• Amazon MGM Studios: Studio arm of Amazon producing original film and TV, including comedy. Comparable as both a buyer (Amazon Prime Video is an Above Average partner) and a broad incumbent producer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aboveaverage
• Facebookfacebook.com/AboveAverage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aboveaverage

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Above Average