You don’t need to be clairvoyant to know that New York Comic Con was not going to happen as a physical event in 2020. And now ReedPOP has made it official, announcing a New York Comic Con Metaverse, in partnership with YouTube.
ReedPOP is testing its Metaverse concept this week, and will roll out an even more elaborate version October 8-11. YouTube will be the exclusive streaming home for programming content, including media and entertainment panels featuring Star Trek, American Gods and more.
Unlike other virtual cons, NYCC is planning to have fan Q&As with talent. They will also have live programming.
“While this year will definitely be a different experience, we are going to look to bring the best and most engaging event to our fans, exhibitors, and studios through our partnership with YouTube,’ ReedPOP head Lance Fensterman said in a statement.
With the cancellation of NYCC as a live event, the entire year of major cons is wiped out, and it doesn’t look like gathering will be permitted — or safe from COVID-19 — for months to come.
While we won’t miss the long bathroom lines of NYCC, we will miss the buzz, the hum, and the snap of fall in the air as we hang out with friends from around the world.
You can check out NYCC’s YouTube channel here.
PR below:
Today, ReedPop – the world’s leading producer of pop culture events – announced that New York Comic Con’s physical event at Javits Center will not take place as intended in 2020, and that they are officially partnering with YouTube on an all-digital event that will bring the excitement, community, and incredible content expected from NYCC directly to fans around the world.
From October 8-11, the New York Comic Con YouTube channel will exclusively live stream panels from leading entertainment brands. Starz will bring the epic American Gods, CBS All Access will feature the legendary Star Trek Universe, DreamWorks Animation will showcase the best of television animation, and Hulu & FX will add to the slate of exciting programming for fans worldwide. More news will be made in the coming weeks about content including premieres, announcements, fan contests and more.
“We are thoroughly disappointed that we can’t gather together, in-person for the New York Comic Con we love to build and our fans love to revel in. We look forward to this weekend all year long, just like you, and with this being our 15th edition, we were particularly excited. I will miss walking up and down artist alley and seeing friends that I’ve made since we were in the basement at the Javits Center,” said Lance Fensterman, President of ReedPop. “While this year will definitely be a different experience, we are going to look to bring the best and most engaging event to our fans, exhibitors, and studios through our partnership with YouTube.”
In addition to the panels streaming live & on-demand exclusively via YouTube, fans will be able to participate in talent Q&A’s during panels, turn every panel into a watch party and geek out with other fans using YouTube’s Community and Live Chat features.
ReedPop will also give fans the opportunity for experiences that will get them up-close and personal with meet & greets, live Q&As, personalized autographs, videos, and professional workshops. And while fans won’t be able to stroll the Show Floor and Artist Alley aisles at Javits this year, ReedPop is creating a virtual marketplace for fans to explore where exhibitors and creators will share their newest items. There will be more information on these exciting fan developments unveiled in the coming weeks.
Leading up to New York Comic Con’s Metaverse in October, ReedPop will be hosting Metaverse August from August 13-16 and give fans the ability to assemble together for one-of-a-kind virtual experiences with celebrities and creators, discover new releases, explore a marketplace, and access exclusive merchandise.
New York Comic Con is the ultimate pop culture destination event in the United States. NYCC brings the best of comics, television, film, exhibitors, celebrities, cosplay, anime, and more to create memorable, uniquely exciting experiences for fans. These experiences transcend beyond the walls of the Javits Center and continue to live beyond the weekend of NYCC through the online world of ReedPOP digital content.
For a full list of New York Comic Con content and for more information, please visit NewYorkComicCon.com and NYCC’s social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).
