Dhar Mann Studios
Dhar Mann Studios is a Los Angeles-based digital content production company that creates short-form scripted videos with positive storytelling for global social media audiences. It operates a multi-stream revenue model spanning advertising, brand partnerships, app subscriptions, merchandise, FAST channel licensing, and microdrama production.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Dhar Mann Studios does
Dhar Mann Studios is a vertically integrated digital content production company founded in 2018 by entrepreneur Dhar Mann and headquartered in Los Angeles. The studio produces short-form scripted videos with positive, redemptive storytelling aimed at young audiences and families, distributing daily Monday-Friday across YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and a proprietary mobile app. Content is produced in 8+ languages reaching 100+ countries and has accumulated 82 billion video views across a combined 163 million social media followers. The 125,000 square foot Burbank facility houses 85 production sets enabling in-house shoot economics.
The business operates a multi-stream revenue model. YouTube advertising is the foundation, supplemented by brand partnerships with major consumer and technology companies including Samsung, Google, YouTube, Amazon, Audible, and Gap/Old Navy. The Dhar Mann mobile app (launched 2021, reached #1 in App Store within 24 hours) provides a freemium subscription offering exclusive videos and extended cuts. Additional revenue comes from merchandise sales through shop.dharmann.com, podcast sponsorships on 'What Happens Next', and FAST channel licensing on Samsung TV Plus, Roku, and Tubi. In January 2026, the studio entered a multi-year partnership with Fox Entertainment and Holywater to co-produce 40 microdrama series for the My Drama platform, with an expanded agreement announced at Cannes Lions in June 2026.
Technology and data are central to the operating model. The studio leverages real-time platform performance data to test multiple versions of content and optimize engagement, with CEO Sean Atkins estimating 10x more data visibility than traditional entertainment executives. AI is used for audience insights and creative brainstorming but explicitly not for content generation due to negative audience feedback. Distribution relies on YouTube's API within the mobile application. The studio is privately held and founder-controlled, with no disclosed external institutional funding.
Dhar Mann Studios firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dhar Mann Studios
- Legal name
- Dhar Mann Studios
- Website
- https://dharmann.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Dhar Mann Studios is a Los Angeles-based digital content production company that creates short-form scripted videos with positive storytelling for global social media audiences. It operates a multi-stream revenue model spanning advertising, brand partnerships, app subscriptions, merchandise, FAST channel licensing, and microdrama production.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dhar Mann Studios industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Content Production
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Content Studio & Creative Resourcing (In-house/Embedded Teams) (BPAFAIAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Multi-Channel Networks (MCNs) & Creator Management Platforms (MPACABAH), Branded Documentary / Nonfiction (Corporate & NGO) (MPADADAK)
Keywords
Where Dhar Mann Studios is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Dhar Mann Studios business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- YouTube Ad Revenue: YouTube advertising revenue from the main channel and multiple international channels in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, French, German, Indonesian, and Turkish
- Brand Partnerships: Sponsored content collaborations with brands including Old Navy/Gap, Samsung, and others. Partners include major consumer brands seeking access to Dhar Mann's community of over 163 million followers
- App Subscriptions: Mobile app with subscription tiers offering exclusive videos, extended cuts, and inspirational content. App reached #1 in App Store within 24 hours of 2021 launch
- Merchandise Sales: Official Dhar Mann Studios merchandise including apparel and branded products sold through shop.dharmann.com
- Podcast Sponsorships: What Happens Next podcast with guests like Jameela Jamil and Anderson .Paak, distributed on YouTube and Spotify
- Fox Entertainment Deal: Partnership with Fox to produce 40 films over one year for My Drama microdrama platform, representing entry into scripted vertical video production
- FAST Channel Licensing: Licensing content to FAST (Free Ad-Supported TV) platforms including Samsung TV Plus, generating revenue through advertising and licensing fees
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free access with premium subscription options |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual subscription option |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels10 records
Dhar Mann Studios product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dhar Mann Studios is a video production company that produces short, scripted, emotionally-resonant videos for social media platforms including YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, with a focus on positive, redemptive storytelling and family-friendly moral lessons. The studio also operates a mobile subscription app, a podcast, branded merchandise e-commerce store, and distributes content via FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channels. Revenue is generated through YouTube advertising, brand partnerships, app subscriptions, merchandise sales, podcast sponsorships, and content licensing.
Product overview
Dhar Mann Studios is a video production company operating as a platform-plus-content model. The core product is the Dhar Mann Studios brand producing short scripted videos for social media platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Facebook), focused on positive, redemptive storytelling. Supporting products include the Dhar Mann mobile app (iOS/Android) for video access and subscription content, the 'What Happens Next' podcast featuring celebrity guests, and a merchandise e-commerce store. The company produces multiple branded content series including Bookside High, Chasing Charlie, Jay's World, Mischief Mikey, and My Shocking Story. Revenue streams include advertising, branded content partnerships, subscription services, merchandise sales, and FAST channel distribution on Samsung TV Plus, Roku, and Tubi.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- What Happens Next: The Dhar Mann Podcast featuring guests sharing inspirational stories and life experiences.
Products and services
- Dhar Mann Studios Video Content Short scripted videos distributed on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and other platforms, featuring positive moral lessons, family values, and redemptive storylines aimed at young audiences and families.
- Dhar Mann Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android offering exclusive videos, extended cuts, inspirational quotes, and premium subscription tiers with monthly, biannual, or yearly options.
- What Happens Next Podcast Weekly podcast featuring celebrity and influencer guests sharing personal stories of struggle, resilience, and transformation, distributed on YouTube and Spotify.
- Dhar Mann Merch Store Official e-commerce storefront at shop.dharmann.com selling branded apparel and merchandise to consumers of the Dhar Mann Studios brand.
Quantifiable outcome
- 82 billion cumulative video views across platforms
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Dhar Mann Studios
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Dhar Mann Studios technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability3 records
Feature2 records
Dhar Mann Studios partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, minor and major.
- Fox Entertainment (expanded)coreExpanded partnership with Fox announced at Cannes event; Fox provides capital, ad sales support, and distribution while splitting IP ownership with creators who retain creative control over their projects.
- Brand InnovatorsstrategicPartnership with Brand Innovators for Creator Economy Summit hosted at Dhar Mann Studios in Burbank, CA on April 23, 2026. Event brings together senior marketing leaders from Fortune 500 companies, creators, and brands for discussions on creator-led storytelling and brand-creator collaboration.
- NAB ShowminorDhar Mann Studios participated in NAB Show 2026 panel discussion on mobile-first storytelling alongside MicroCo and Second Rodeo Productions, discussing vertical video ecosystem evolution into mainstream entertainment.
- CAA (Creative Artists Agency)majorCAA held pivotal all-hands strategy session for Dhar Mann in March 2026, signaling YouTube stars' movement from margins to center of Hollywood talent ecosystem. CAA aggressively expanding creator business through new client signings and $250M joint venture with TPG to acquire and expand creator-led businesses.
- Fox EntertainmentcoreMulti-year global partnership with Fox Entertainment and Holywater to co-develop 40 original scripted vertical video titles for Holywater's My Drama platform, with worldwide distribution managed by Fox Entertainment. Deal builds on Fox's existing equity investment in Holywater and broader strategy to expand into mobile-first short-form storytelling.
- Gap Inc. / Old NavymajorBrand partnership producing four-part branded short-form series 'Old Navy vs. Designer' testing consumer ability to differentiate Old Navy clothing from luxury fashion. Partnership originated from live campaign design session at Advertising Week New York 2025 with Gap's Head of Consumer Digital Engagement, Damon Berger.
- HolywatercorePartnership with Holywater, the Ukrainian parent company of My Drama platform, for microdrama production. Holywater raised $22 million in funding (largest single investment round in micro content sector outside Asia) with equity investment from Fox Entertainment.
- SamsungmajorBrand partner advertising on Dhar Mann Studios platform
- GooglemajorBrand partner advertising on Dhar Mann Studios platform
- YouTubemajorPrimary platform partner and advertising revenue partner; YouTube API utilized in mobile application for video serving
- AmazonmajorBrand partner advertising on Dhar Mann Studios platform
- AudiblemajorBrand partner advertising on Dhar Mann Studios platform
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Dhar Mann Studios competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Jubilee Media: Jubilee Media produces scripted short-form social video content at scale, monetizing through YouTube and brand partnerships. Operates in the same scripted short-form video category with a comparable social-first content studio model.
- Nas Daily: Nas Daily operates a global short-form video brand focused on inspirational storytelling and educational content distributed across multiple platforms. Comparable positioning to Dhar Mann's motivational narrative format and multi-language, global reach strategy.
- Dude Perfect: Dude Perfect is a creator-led entertainment company producing high-volume YouTube-first video content with diversified revenue from ads, brand partnerships, merchandise, and live shows. Same operating model, target demographic, and platform distribution approach as Dhar Mann Studios.
- MrBeast (Beast Industries): Beast Industries is the largest YouTube-led creator business and the closest direct peer to Dhar Mann Studios. Both operate in-house production studios producing high-volume video content for social platforms, monetize through ads, brand partnerships, merchandise, and licensing, and target global audiences through language localization.
- Mark Rober: Mark Rober operates a science-and-engineering-focused creator-led entertainment brand producing high-production-value YouTube content with strong family appeal. Comparable as a creator-led studio producing high-quality, family-friendly video at scale with brand partnerships.
- Ryan's World (Sunlight Entertainment / pocket.watch): Ryan's World and parent pocket.watch operate a creator-led family-friendly video IP business across YouTube, TV, and consumer products, directly comparable to Dhar Mann's wholesome-content positioning targeting children and families with educational and moral-lesson content.
Broad incumbents
- Tastemade: Tastemade is an established digital-content studio producing food-and-travel video across YouTube, FAST channels, and streaming. Comparable as a digital-first content studio with multi-platform distribution including FAST channels and brand partnerships, though operating in a different vertical (food vs. inspirational).
- Mythical Entertainment (Rhett & Link): Mythical Entertainment is an established creator-led entertainment company with a much broader portfolio (Good Mythical Morning, Smosh, Mythical Kitchen). Comparable in production scale and diversified monetization including ads, brand deals, merchandise, and original IP, but with significantly broader offerings than Dhar Mann's focused inspirational niche.
Emerging players
- Chicken Shop Date / Amelia Dimoldenberg: Chicken Shop Date operates a creator-led scripted short-form video business with a distinctive comedic format distributed primarily on YouTube. Overlaps meaningfully with Dhar Mann's scripted social video model at a smaller scale.
- Holywater (My Drama): Holywater is the parent of the My Drama microdrama platform and Dhar Mann's direct strategic partner. Comparable as a microdrama content production and distribution platform, sharing the same vertical scripted short-form format in the mobile-first streaming space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dhar Mann Studios social profiles
Digital presenceDhar Mann Studios financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dhar Mann Studios leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Dhar Mann Studios funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dhar Mann Studios M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dhar Mann Studios
What does Dhar Mann Studios do?
Dhar Mann Studios is a video production company that produces short, scripted, emotionally-resonant videos for social media platforms including YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, with a focus on positive, redemptive storytelling and family-friendly moral lessons. The studio also operates a mobile subscription app, a podcast, branded merchandise e-commerce store, and distributes content via FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channels. Revenue is generated through YouTube advertising, brand partnerships, app subscriptions, merchandise sales, podcast sponsorships, and content licensing.
Is Dhar Mann Studios a public or private company?
Dhar Mann Studios is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Dhar Mann Studios founded?
Dhar Mann Studios was founded in 2018. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Dhar Mann Studios based?
Dhar Mann Studios is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Dhar Mann Studios make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. YouTube Ad Revenue is the primary driver. The others are brand Partnerships, app Subscriptions, merchandise Sales, podcast Sponsorships, fox Entertainment Deal and FAST Channel Licensing.
Who are Dhar Mann Studios's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Jubilee Media, Nas Daily, Dude Perfect, MrBeast (Beast Industries), Mark Rober and Ryan's World (Sunlight Entertainment / pocket.watch). Broad incumbents are Tastemade and Mythical Entertainment (Rhett & Link). Emerging players are Chicken Shop Date / Amelia Dimoldenberg and Holywater (My Drama).
Does Dhar Mann Studios have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dhar Mann Studios.
What industry is Dhar Mann Studios in?
Dhar Mann Studios's product category is Digital Content Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAIAJ, Content Studio & Creative Resourcing (In-house/Embedded Teams), with a secondary code of MPACABAH, Multi-Channel Networks (MCNs) & Creator Management Platforms. Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.