SciShow

Last updated

SciShow
SciShow - YouTube icon logo.jpg
Genre Education
Created by Hank Green
Presented by Hank Green
Michael Aranda
Stefan Chin
Reid Reimers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Production location Missoula, Montana
Production company Complexly
Original release
ReleaseJanuary 2, 2012 (2012-01-02) 
present

SciShow is a collection of YouTube channels that focuses on science news. The program is hosted by Hank Green along with a rotating cast of co-hosts. [1] SciShow was launched as an original channel. [2] The series has been consistently releasing new material since it was created in 2012.

Contents

Since its launch, three additional channels have been launched under the SciShow brand: SciShow Space, SciShow Psych, and SciShow Kids.

History and funding

The channel was launched as an "original channel", which meant that YouTube funded the channel. [3] [4] The show's initial grant was projected to expire in 2014, and in response, on September 12, 2013 SciShow joined the viewer-funding site Subbable, created in part by Green. [5] [6]

In 2014, the channel landed a national advertisement deal with YouTube. The educational program was featured on platforms such as billboards and television commercials as a result. [7] Green details that the advertisements had a positive effect on SciShow, stating, "My Twitter exploded, our followers and subscribers exploded." [8]

After Patreon acquired Subbable, the channel switched over to Patreon where it continues to receive support in exchange for various perks. SciShow currently has over four thousand patrons. [9]

Production and hosting

Hank Green, host of SciShow Hank Green Vlogbrothers 2016.jpg
Hank Green, host of SciShow

Though Green hosts the majority of episodes, the show has alternate hosts; Michael Aranda has been with the show since its inception, and Olivia Gordon of the Missoula Insectarium joined in June 2016. [10] Gordon left SciShow in August 2020, [11] and was replaced by ethnobotanist Rose Bear Don't Walk. [12] Prior to her move to Chicago, Emily Graslie of The Brain Scoop also occasionally hosted on the channel. There have also been guest appearances by Lindsey Doe, who hosts Sexplanations, another channel launched by Green; and by longtime SciShow staffer Stefan Chin, who since 2017 has been a regular host. SciShow has grown since its 2012 launch; it now employs a full editorial, production, and operations staff. [8]

SciShow Space has three rotating hosts: Hank Green, Reid Reimers, and Caitlin Hofmeister. Similarly, SciShow Psych rotates hosting between Hank Green, Brit Garner, and Anthony Brown. SciShow Kids is primarily hosted by Jessi Knudsen Castañeda, host of Animal Wonders Montana. [13]

Content

Several different scientific fields are covered by SciShow, including chemistry, physics, biology, zoology, geology, geography, entomology, botany, meteorology, astronomy, medicine, psychology, anthropology, math and computer science. [14] The videos on SciShow have a vast variety of different topics, such as nutrition, [15] and "science superlatives". [16] As of April 2020, SciShow has released over 2250 videos. [17]

A spin-off channel, SciShow Space, launched in April 2014 to specialize in space topics. [18] A second spin-off, SciShow Kids, launched in March 2015 to specialize in delivering science topics to children. [19] Kids went on hiatus in late 2018, returning in April 2020. [20] [21] A third spinoff channel was announced in February 2017, SciShow Psych, which debuted in March 2017, specializing in psychology and neuroscience. [22] A podcast, SciShow Tangents, was launched in November 2018; it features entertaining exchanges of scientific facts among many of the shows' staffers, and is directed at a mature audience. [23]

Podcast

In November 2018, a co-branded podcast titled SciShow Tangents was launched as a co-production with WNYC Studios. [24] It consists of a panel format where Hank Green, Ceri Riley, Stefan Chin, and Sam Schultz share facts about science on a weekly theme; each episode has multiple segments, several of which are competitive. In late 2020, the podcast ceased its association with WNYC Studios, and continues as an independently produced entity. [25] [26] The podcast is a restructured and reimagined continuation of their previous podcast, Holy Fucking Science, which ran from January 2017 to March 2018. [27]

Reception

As SciShow has amassed a large following, the channel has been featured on several media outlets. [28] [29] [30] [31]

In October 2014 the channel surpassed two million subscribers, and over 210 million video views. [8] As of September 2021, the channel has over 6.7 million subscribers and over 1.4 billion total views. [32]

In 2017, SciShow won a Webby Award in the People's Voice category. [33]

Related Research Articles

<i>Science Friday</i> American radio program

Science Friday is a weekly call-in talk show that broadcasts each Friday on public radio stations, distributed by WNYC Studios, and carried on over 470 public radio stations. SciFri is hosted by science journalist Ira Flatow and was created and is produced by the Science Friday Initiative. The program is divided into two one-hour programs, with each hour ending with a complete sign-off. The focus of each program is news and information on science, nature, medicine, and technology. The show originated as the Friday episode of the daily call-in talk show Talk of the Nation, but was spun off as a series in its own right when Talk of the Nation was canceled in June 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Green</span> American author and vlogger (born 1977)

John Michael Green is an American author, YouTuber, podcaster, and philanthropist. His books have more than 50 million copies in print worldwide, including The Fault in Our Stars (2012), which is one of the best-selling books of all time. Green's rapid rise to fame and idiosyncratic voice are credited with creating a major shift in the young adult fiction market. Green is also well known for his work in online video, most notably his YouTube ventures with his brother Hank Green.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Complex Networks</span> American media and entertainment company

Complex Networks is an American media and entertainment company for youth culture, based in New York City. It was founded as a bi-monthly magazine, Complex, by fashion designer Marc (Ecko) Milecofsky. Complex Networks reports on popular and emerging trends in style, sneakers, food, music, sports and pop culture. Complex Networks reached over 90 million unique users per month in 2013 across its owned and operated and partner sites, socials and YouTube channels. The print magazine ceased publication with the December 2016/January 2017 issue. Complex currently has 6.02 million subscribers and 1.8 billion total views on YouTube. As of 2019, the company's yearly revenue was estimated to be US$200 million, 15% of which came from commerce.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhett & Link</span> YouTube comedy duo

Rhett James McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln "Link" Neal III are an American comedy duo. Self-styled as "Internetainers", they are known for creating and hosting the YouTube series Good Mythical Morning. Their other notable projects include comedic songs and sketches, their IFC series Rhett & Link: Commercial Kings, their YouTube Premium series Rhett & Link's Buddy System, their podcast Ear Biscuits and their novel The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek.

<i>Radiolab</i> American radio program

Radiolab is a radio program and podcast produced by WNYC, a public radio station based in New York City, and broadcast on more than 570 public radio stations in the United States. The show has earned many industry awards for its "imaginative use of radio" including a National Academies Communication Award and two Peabody Awards.

<i>Stuff You Should Know</i> American podcast and video series

Stuff You Should Know, often abbreviated as SYSK, is a podcast and video series published by iHeartRadio and hosted by Josh Clark and Charles W. "Chuck" Bryant. The podcast, which launched in 2008, educates listeners on a wide variety of topics, often using popular culture as a reference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hank Green</span> American vlogger and entrepreneur (born 1980)

William Henry Green II is an American YouTuber, science communicator, and entrepreneur. He produces the YouTube channel Vlogbrothers with his older brother, author John Green, and hosts the educational YouTube channels Crash Course and SciShow. He has advocated for and organized social activism, created and hosted a number of other YouTube channels and podcasts, released music albums, and amassed a large following on TikTok.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grace Helbig</span> American YouTuber and actress (born 1985)

Grace Anne Helbig is an American comedian, actress, and internet personality. She is the co-creator and co-host of the podcast This Might Get Weird (2018–present) alongside frequent collaborator Mamrie Hart and is the voice of Cindy Bear in the Max animated series Jellystone! (2021–present).

<i>Crash Course</i> (YouTube) Educational YouTube channel

Crash Course is an educational YouTube channel started by John Green and Hank Green, who became known on YouTube through their Vlogbrothers channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vsauce</span> YouTube brand created by Michael Stevens

Vsauce is a YouTube brand created by educator Michael Stevens. The channels feature videos on scientific, psychological, mathematical, and philosophical topics, as well as gaming, technology, popular culture, and other general interest subjects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meg Turney</span> American adult model, internet personality, and cosplayer

Megan LeeAnn Turney is an American Twitch streamer, internet personality, cosplayer, glamour model, and vlogger. She became an internet personality through her hosting work, formerly with SourceFed and Rooster Teeth's The Know. She also maintains a personal YouTube channel where she posts vlogs and Let's Play videos and live streams. In addition to her work with online media, Turney also cosplays at various conventions, such as Comic-Con.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brady Haran</span> Australian-British YouTuber and journalist (born 1976)

Brady John Haran is an Australian-British independent filmmaker and video journalist who produces educational videos and documentary films for his YouTube channels, the most notable being Computerphile and Numberphile. Haran is also the co-host of the Hello Internet podcast along with fellow educational YouTuber CGP Grey. On 22 August 2017, Haran launched his second podcast, called The Unmade Podcast, and on 11 November 2018, he launched his third podcast, The Numberphile Podcast, based on his mathematics-centered channel of the same name.

Revision3 was a San Francisco–based multi-channel television network that created, produced and distributed streaming television shows on niche topics. Founded in 2005, it operated as a subsidiary of Discovery Digital Networks since 2012. The network produced technology and gaming oriented programming in tandem with traditional comedic, political, DIY, and movie-related content. On March 31, 2017, Discovery Communications closed the website.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green brothers</span> Partnership between brothers Hank and John Green

The Green brothers, John and Hank, are two American entrepreneurs, social activists, authors, and YouTube vloggers. The two have collaborated extensively throughout their public careers, beginning with a daily vlog project in 2007 titled "Brotherhood 2.0", in which they only communicated in vlogs posted to YouTube for a year. The Greens' portfolio of online work now includes their main Vlogbrothers channel, Crash Course, SciShow, their podcast Dear Hank & John, and several other projects spanning several forms of media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosianna Halse Rojas</span> British YouTuber and writer (born 1991)

Rosianna Halse Rojas is a British writer, video blogger, social media manager, and online personality. Rojas is best known for working with vlogger and novelist John Green, initially as his personal assistant, later producing partner.

WNYC Studios is a producer and distributor of podcasts and on-demand and broadcast audio. WNYC Studios is a subsidiary of New York Public Radio and is headquartered in New York City.

<i>Dear Hank & John</i> Comedy podcast by the Green brothers

Dear Hank & John is a podcast hosted by the Green brothers: musician and author Hank Green and young-adult novelist John Green. The podcast is produced by Rosianna Halse Rojas and edited by Josef "Tuna" Metesh. First released in June 2015, Hank and John Green answer questions e-mailed by listeners, give "dubious" advice and talk about the weekly news from the planet Mars and the 4th tier English football club AFC Wimbledon. Episodes are typically around 45 minutes in length. Upon the podcast's debut, it reached the number 4 position on the US iTunes performance chart and hit a peak position of number 2 two days later. Dear Hank & John has also been charted on iTunes in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Australia and Brazil. The podcast is primarily funded through the crowdfunding website Patreon, though the majority of the pledges go towards the video production budget of Complexly. From November 2018 to November 2020, the podcast was a co-production of Complexly and WNYC Studios. As of November 16, 2020, Dear Hank & John is once again an independently produced podcast. Starting in May 2023, the show went on indefinite hiatus following Hank's diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma; his treatment, and John's need to fill in for many of his work duties, kept the brothers from recording. Regular recordings returned in October 2023, but with some modifications allowing a more casual structure.

Complexly is an American online video and audio production company, based in Missoula, Montana, and Indianapolis, Indiana. Its founders are brothers John and Hank Green, who began their Vlogbrothers YouTube channel in 2007. In 2012, the Greens began producing educational video content with the YouTube channels Crash Course and SciShow, and in the years since have created many other channels and podcasts which have been folded into the company. Originally named EcoGeek LLC, it was founded by Hank Green to support his blog on environmental and science issues and was renamed in 2016. Also associated with the Green brothers, but separate from Complexly's operations, are DFTBA Records, the Project for Awesome, VidCon, and Subbable. The company's strengths in educational content has led to production funding from Google, PBS, and the Poetry Foundation among other corporations and charitable foundations.

UNHhhh is an American comedy web series starring drag queens Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova. In the series, Trixie and Katya discuss a topic humorously in front of a green screen. UNHhhh premiered on March 25, 2016, one year after Mattel and Zamolodchikova appeared in the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race. The show is aired through World Of Wonder's YouTube channel, as well as through its video-on-demand service WOW Presents Plus. UNHhhh has been nominated for ten Streamy Awards throughout its run, winning Unscripted Series at the 2020 ceremony, which the duo also hosted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akilah Hughes</span> American writer, comedian, YouTuber, podcaster, and actress

Akilah Saidah Kamaria Hughes is an American writer, comedian, YouTuber, podcaster, and actress. She has been a digital correspondent for MTV, HBO, Fusion TV, and Comedy Central. She began her career on a YouTube channel, "It's Akilah, Obviously!", which has amassed more than 150,000 subscribers. From October 2019 to July 2021, she co-hosted the Crooked Media podcast What a Day, alongside journalist Gideon Resnick.

References

  1. Leib, Bart (March 23, 2012). "Scishow & Crash Course: Why Isn't School This Cool?". Wired . Condé Nast . Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  2. Eördögh, Fruzsina (January 3, 2012). "Watch the premiere of Hank Green's SciShow". The Daily Dot . Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  3. "Vlogbrother Hank Green Launches Science Channel as One of YouTube's Much-Publicized Original Programming Channels". Marketwired . West Corporation. January 3, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  4. Hale, Mike (April 25, 2012). "Genres Stretch, for Better and Worse, as YouTube Takes On TV". The New York Times . Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  5. Green, Hank (September 12, 2013). "SciShow Needs You!". SciShow. YouTube . Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  6. Eifler, Emily (August 20, 2013). "Crowdfunding Matures with a Lesson from Public Broadcasting". KQED.org. KQED Inc. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  7. DeSimone, Evan (October 16, 2014). "Hank Green Will Soon Be Stalking You With Science". NewMediaRockstars.com. New Media Rockstars . Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 Stone, Madeline (October 15, 2014). "Meet The Science Nerd Whose Face Is About To Be Plastered On YouTube Ads Everywhere". Business Insider . Insider Inc. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  9. "SciShow is creating YouTube Videos about Science | Patreon". Patreon. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  10. "New Ancient Human Fossils!". SciShow. YouTube. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  11. "Why Are Pandas Black and White?". SciShow. YouTube. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  12. Bear Don't Walk, Rose. "...as a new host of #scishow". @rosedontwalk. Twitter. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  13. "SciShow Kids". Youtube. SciShow. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  14. "SciShow: Chemistry". Watch Documentary Films. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  15. Proefrock, Philip (April 11, 2012). "SciShow: The Dark Lord of Nutrition". EcoGeek. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  16. Leroux-Lindsey, Angela (January 18, 2013). "YouTube's SciShow Hails Hot Quark-Gluon Plasma as "Superlative Science"". Brookhaven National Laboratory. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  17. Gordon, Olivia (April 11, 2020). "How Upside-Down Jellies Sting You Without Touching You". YouTube. SciShow. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  18. Green, Hank (March 26, 2014). SciShow Space Launch. SciShow. YouTube. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  19. Knudsen Castañeda, Jessi (February 23, 2015). SciShow Kids. SciShow. YouTube. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  20. "Our Favorites, Compilation". SciShow Kids. YouTube. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  21. "Explore the Fort! | SciShow Kids Compilation". YouTube. April 8, 2020. Archived from the original on May 10, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  22. Green, Hank (February 27, 2017). SciShow Psych Trailer. SciShow. YouTube. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  23. "SciShow Tangents". WNYC Studios. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  24. Weiss, Geoff (November 9, 2018). "Hank Green Bows 'SciShow Tangents' Podcast Inspired By Hit YouTube Channel". Tubefilter . Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  25. "SciShow Tangents : About | WNYC Studios | Podcasts". WNYC Studios. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  26. "SciShow Tangents - Complexly". complexly.com. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  27. "HFS Podcast | Podcast on Podbay". Podbay. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  28. Goodman, Will (September 6, 2012). "A double-dose of Internet education for you (on the history of "cute" and "spam")". The Feed. CBS. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  29. Chant, Ian (July 8, 2013). "Recover From The Long Weekend With Weird Science From SciShow [Video]". Geekosystem. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  30. Condliffe, Jamie (July 15, 2014). "A Crash Course In Transistors, Processors And Moore's Law". Gizmodo Australia. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  31. Ryan, Jessica (July 22, 2014). "RYAN: Boulder's The Story Group explores stories behind climate change". Colorado Daily. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  32. "SciShow - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  33. "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index. Retrieved November 28, 2020.