Hearst Networks Launches Hearst Canvas

Hearst Networks has announced the launch of Hearst Canvas, a new business venture to develop original, scalable content brands across digital, audio, and emerging platforms, focusing particularly on YouTube.

As a 100%-owned Hearst initiative, Hearst Canvas will be based in Hearst Networks’ London offices and will be operated by a dedicated team of digital creatives. Editorial development, talent management, publishing, and commercial partnerships will be led by a Creative Director, for whom the recruitment process is underway. Production will be outsourced to independent producers in the UK.

The launch is inspired by the commercial and critical success of Hearst Networks’ original mid-form commissions, such as Cut to the Crime, History Crush, and Two Sides of History. Most recently, the series Unbreakable won the Best Episodic Podcast Category at the True Crime Awards, and Ex-Con Carpenters won Best Interview Format at the inaugural TellyCast Digital Awards.

Having already partnered with highly innovative production companies such as Fawkes Digital, Particle6, and Doc Hearts to deliver Hearst Network's current slate of digital-first shows, Hearst Canvas will look to build on this by commissioning from a group of carefully selected digital indies.

"Hearst Canvas is an incredibly exciting development for our company: it represents a completely new opportunity to continue to grow our creative ambition by originating digitally-native content for YouTube and other social platforms," said Heather Jones, Chief Creative Officer EMEA at Hearst Networks. "This is about testing bravely, learning fast, and unlocking new revenue-generating opportunities in the social and on-demand spaces, where audiences are increasingly choosing to spend their time."

Hearst Canvas is currently in its start-up phase, with first productions slated to launch in early 2026.