YOUTUBE ORIGINALS ANNOUNCES NEW LEARNING SERIES "SLEEPING WITH FRIENDS" PREMIERING MAY 20

SLEEP COMPETITION SERIES AIMED TO PROMOTE WELLNESS DEBUTS AS PART OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

WHAT:

Today, YouTube Originals announced and debuted the trailer for "Sleeping with Friends," an all-new reality competition series about sleep hosted by BrainCraft's Vanessa Hill, which will be available to stream for free beginning May 20 only on YouTube.

The series arrives for Mental Health Awareness Month, which coincides with one of the most challenging periods our world has ever faced with the current pandemic. There is no health without mental health, and it's important to take notice and care of our emotional, psychological and social well-being. One major factor that contributes to mental health? SLEEP.

In this three part special, EduTubers will go head to head to see who can improve their own sleep using the latest techniques and products. Featuring Mitch and Greg from ASAPScience, Donna Yatz of PsychIRL, Melissa Maribel, judges and mental health professional Kati Morton, Dr. Ali Mattu, Trace Dominguez, and hosted by Vanessa Hill. The series is produced by 96 Next.

Sleep is the ultimate performance enhancer and best preventative medicine. Yet, a 2018 CDC study revealed that every night, 35% of Americans don't get enough. We're in a cultural shift where more people are trying to reclaim sleep - and using YouTube for on-demand sleep aids and information. BrainCraft presents the world's first sleep competition series with "Sleeping with Friends!"

This month, YouTube will also be highlighting Well Being and Mindfulness content on the platform's Spotlight channel. Playlists on the channel will feature content from creators like Kati Morton who can speak to why getting support can help, and Jay Shetty on meditation.

# # #

ABOUT YOUTUBE ORIGINALS

YouTube Originals are award-winning, creative and engaging scripted and unscripted series and films across music, personalities and learning for fans all over the world. Spotlighting both YouTube creators alongside Hollywood's biggest stars, YouTube Originals provide an experience that only YouTube can offer. By tapping into the platform's growing global community, fan engagement product capabilities, and innovative content mixed with pioneering live-streamed specials, there is truly something for everybody. Fans experience YouTube Original content through ad-supported YouTube as well as YouTube Premium, a subscription service that offers access to YouTube Original series and movies, a streaming music platform, and an uninterrupted, ad-free experience across all of YouTube. YouTube Originals are available in nearly 80 countries worldwide.

ABOUT BRAINCRAFT

BrainCraft is a popular educational YouTube channel that shares self-improvement tips and advice based in psychology and neuroscience. With more than 500,000 subscribers and 30 million views to date, BrainCraft was created by Australian science journalist and producer Vanessa Hill to bridge the gap between scientific research and people's daily well-being. Along with BrainCraft's success on YouTube, BrainCraft ran for five seasons as a PBS web-series and has received nods from both the Webby and Telly Awards. Vanessa's work on YouTube and in collaboration with public broadcasters in the US and Australia has helped make her one of the leading female voices in science media.

ABOUT 96 NEXT

96 Next is a Primetime Emmy(R) and Peabody award winning multi-platform production studio. The company is founded by interactive storyteller, creator, and showrunner Bernie Su. His YouTube work includes, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and Emma Approved, which were awarded the first and second Primetime Emmys ever won by a YouTube distributed series.