Vimeo Makes First Original Programming Investment in Series “High Maintenance”

Vimeo today announced its first original programming project with the signing of High Maintenance, the critically acclaimed web series from the husband-and-wife team Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair. As part of the deal, Vimeo will finance six new episodes to launch exclusively on Vimeo On Demand (vimeo.com/ondemand).  

Award-winning casting director Katja Blichfeld (30 Rock), actor and editor Ben Sinclair (Delocated, 30 Rock, A Gifted Man, Law & Order: SVU, The Big C, Next Caller) and manager Russell Gregory at Regarding Entertainment first debuted High Maintenance on Vimeo in 2013. The 13-episode series, produced by Janky Clown Productions, follows a nameless cannabis dealer (Sinclair) as he delivers his product to clients with neuroses as diverse as the city they live in. Critics have regarded it as a “must watch” original web series for its well-crafted storylines and rotating cast that has included Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens and comedian Hannibal Buress

“We’re all huge fans of High Maintenance and couldn’t be happier to make our first original programming investment in a show that’s developed organically on Vimeo,” said Kerry Trainor, CEO, Vimeo. “Earlier this year we announced an initial $10 Million investment to license content for distribution on Vimeo On Demand from creators seeking alternatives to ad-based models and this is an exciting next step for the platform.”  

"We're elated to be working directly with Vimeo to make our series with the creative control a television network would never afford us.  Vimeo is a platform that truly celebrates filmmaking," said series creators Blichfeld and Sinclair.

The new episodes are expected to launch later this year with the release schedule and pricing yet to be determined. In the meantime, viewers can catch the first 13 episodes of High Maintenance for free on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/channels/highmaintenance.
Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair are represented by Gregory McKnight at CAA, and Kim Jaime at Jackoway Tyerman.