How to Build a Multi-Format Entertainment Channel: Lessons from Ant & Dec’s Move Online

Stop juggling islands: build a single multi-format channel that actually grows — fast

If you’re a creator frustrated by fragmented tooling, clumsy repurposing, and viewers lost across platforms, you’re not alone. The biggest shift of 2025–2026 isn’t a new algorithm — it’s the rise of the multi-format channel: a combined podcast + video destination that owns an audience across short clips, long-form video, and audio-first episodes.

Take Ant & Dec’s recent move as a practical example: the duo launched Hanging Out as part of a new digital entertainment hub (Belta Box) across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and podcast platforms. They’re not just uploading the same file everywhere — they’re packaging moments, rights-clearing archive clips and designing a schedule to migrate TV viewers to a central digital home. That shift is the blueprint we’ll walk through below.

Why a multi-format channel matters in 2026

In late 2025 and into 2026, platforms doubled down on creator-first distribution: better native audio features, AI clip tools, and more flexible monetization programs. Short-form continues to drive discovery while long-form builds loyalty and ad revenue. Meanwhile, creators who unify formats — podcast, long-form video, short clips, and social-first snippets — win higher lifetime value per fan and simpler rights management.

What’s changed for creators:

• AI-powered clip generation reduces repurposing cost and time.
• Platform bundles and direct subscriptions make D2C memberships realistic.
• Licensing scrutiny increased — archive clips and music need clearer rights strategies.
• Multistreaming and distribution tools matured: you can publish to more endpoints with fewer headaches.

Blueprint overview: what a multi-format channel must solve

Design your channel to solve four core challenges:

1. Discovery — drive new eyeballs via short-form and SEO-optimized long-form.
2. Retention — convert first-time viewers into repeat listeners across formats.
3. Monetization — diversify with ads, memberships, sponsorships and DTC products.
4. Rights & compliance — clear archive and music rights up front to avoid takedowns.

Step 1 — Define your formats and editorial pillars

Start by mapping formats to goals. A combined podcast + video channel typically needs at least three distinct outputs:

• Long-form audio-first episodes (45–90 minutes) — loyalty, ad inventory, subscriptions.
• Full-length video (45–90 minutes / livestreams) — YouTube long-form, TV clips, ad revenue.
• Short-form clips (15–90 seconds) — discovery on TikTok, Shorts, Reels; traffic back to long-form.

Define your editorial pillars — recurring themes the audience expects. For Ant & Dec it’s personal catch-ups, classic TV clips, and interactive listener segments. For you, pick 3–5 pillars that map cleanly to repurposing opportunities.

Step 2 — Build a content schedule that simplifies output

Scheduling is the single biggest productivity lever. Use a weekly rhythm that mixes predictability for your audience with repurposing efficiency:

Sample weekly schedule (podcast + video channel)

• Monday: Publish full audio episode (45–60m) + full video upload. Include timestamps and a short SEO-optimized description.
• Tuesday: Publish 3–5 short clips (TikTok/Shorts/Reels) from episode; 1 audiogram clip for podcast platforms and social.
• Wednesday: Teaser livestream or Q&A (20–30m) to drive engagement and collect clipable moments.
• Thursday: Release an edited highlight reel (5–10m) for YouTube and IGTV; repurpose into a newsletter highlight.
• Friday: Archive clip (if you have past TV or high-value moments) or sponsor spot + community post.
• Weekend: Community events — Discord AMA, Patreon bonus, exclusive audio drop.

This rhythm gives you a consistent cadence for publishing, repurposing and community touchpoints. Keep production templates for each output so editing and clipping are repeatable.

Step 3 — Repurposing workflow: from raw episode to platform-native assets

In 2026, smart creators lean on AI tools but keep human oversight. Here’s a practical repurposing pipeline you can implement in a day-one workflow.

Automated transcription + chaptering

1. Record once, capture many streams: record separate tracks for hosts and guests, capture a square/vertical frame for short-form where possible, and save raw multitrack audio for podcast mastering.
2. Automated transcription + chaptering: run AI transcription (Descript, Otter, or native platform tools) to create searchable chapters and show notes. Use the transcript to generate YouTube chapters and blog post content.
3. AI clip suggestion: use a clip-generation tool to flag high-engagement segments (laughs, strong opinions, emotional beats). Review and approve clips manually.
4. Create platform-specific assets: vertical 9:16 for TikTok/Shorts, 16:9 for YouTube long-form, square or audiograms for Instagram. Tailor captions and CTAs per platform.
5. Schedule distribution: use a combination of native uploads and a multistreaming scheduler for consistent timing. Avoid over-automation on platforms that reward native engagement signals.

Example tool stack: local multitrack recorder → Descript for transcript + rough edits → Premiere/DaVinci for final video → Headliner/Canva for audiograms → Restream/StreamYard for livestreams → podcast host (Libsyn / Podbean / Spotify for Podcasters) for RSS distribution.

Step 4 — Rights management and archive clearance (non-negotiable)

Repurposing old TV clips or music without clearance will cost you. Ant & Dec’s approach — packaging classic clips alongside new episodes — highlights one of the trickiest operational problems for creators moving from broadcast to direct digital publishing.

“We asked our audience if we did a podcast what would they like it be about, and they said 'we just want you guys to hang out'.” — Declan Donnelly

If you plan to surface archival material, follow this checklist:

Rights checklist

• Ownership audit: Identify owners for footage, music, and third-party clips. Keep written records of rights dates, territories, and formats allowed.
• Clear sync licenses: For video that uses music or third-party clips, secure sync rights for digital distribution across the platforms you’ll use.
• Clear performance/dramatic rights: Archive TV clips often have performance rights that need re-clearance for on-demand use.
• Guest releases: Have signed releases for anyone appearing on your show, explicit about video and audio reuse and territories.
• Use library music or buy proper blanket licenses: Consider subscription services with clear creator licenses or buy direct licenses from rights holders.

When in doubt, consult an entertainment lawyer. That upfront cost prevents takedowns, demonetization and legal exposure that can derail growth.

Step 5 — Platform distribution and audience migration strategies

Distribution isn’t just about more platforms — it’s about a migration funnel that moves attention to your owned destinations (newsletter, membership, primary channel). Here’s how to design that funnel.

Audience migration playbook

1. Start with discovery-friendly formats: use short-form verticals to capture attention and include a strong, simple CTA to “watch full episode” or “listen on [platform].”
2. Use platform-native features for onboarding: YouTube Premieres, TikTok LIVE, Instagram Close Friends, and Spotify’s episode cards help convert casual viewers into repeat playbacks.
3. Gate value, don’t gate everything: give free long-form episodes but gate bonus content (extended cuts, ad-free versions) behind subscription or Patreon to create a clear upgrade path.
4. Email and push-first onboarding: capture emails on every platform landing page. Use a simple lead magnet (best-of clips, behind-the-scenes) and an automated onboarding sequence to convert new subscribers.
5. Community hubs: create one primary hub (Discord, Slack, or Patreon) where superfans gather. Use that hub for feedback and clip sourcing.
6. Measure migration KPIs: track click-through from short-form to long-form, newsletter sign-up rate per platform, and retention (returning viewers within 30 days).

Practical example: publish a 60–90 second TikTok with a clip that ends on a compelling hook; pin a comment with the direct link to the full episode landing page; send new clicks to a landing page that captures email and offers a one-click subscribe to your podcast RSS and YouTube channel.

Step 6 — Cross-promotion and partnerships

Cross-promotion scales faster than cold acquisition when done with intent. Ant & Dec’s multi-platform roll-out shows the power of leveraging legacy fame (TV clips) alongside new formats to cross-pollinate audiences.

• Swap audiences strategically: co-host episodes with creators in adjacent niches and exchange short-form exclusives for each other’s channels.
• Use episodic hooks: run short-run series or themed weeks that encourage bingeing across back-catalogue clips.
• Leverage platform promos: pitch your series to platform editors (YouTube Newsroom, Spotify’s playlists) and use platform promo credits if available.

Step 7 — Monetization playbook for the multi-format channel

Diversify revenue across predictable and scalable streams:

• Ad revenue: pre/mid/ post-roll on podcasts; ad-sense and brand deals on video.
• Subscriptions: channel memberships, Patreon tiers, or paid RSS feeds for ad-free audio.
• Merch & live events: bundle limited drops with exclusive episode access.
• Sponsor integrations: bespoke host-read ads and integrated sponsor segments that fit your editorial pillars.
• Licensing: monetize archive clips and repackaged compilations for third-party platforms or linear broadcast.

Measure revenue by cohort — how much a viewer from TikTok yields vs. a newsletter subscriber — and optimize where ROI is highest.

Step 8 — Tech stack & operations (minimal friction, maximal output)

Operational simplicity wins. Here’s a pragmatic stack that balances cost and capability in 2026.

Recommended stack

• Capture: multitrack recorder + OBS or Streamlabs for livestreams.
• Editing: Descript for fast edits and transcripts; Premiere/DaVinci for final grades.
• Clip generation: AI clip tools (built into Descript, Headliner, or platform-native tools) to auto-suggest highlights.
• Distribution: podcast host with robust analytics (Libsyn/Podbean/Spotify for Podcasters), YouTube for video, Restream/StreamYard for multi-destination livestreaming.
• Community: Discord + email (ConvertKit/Substack/Mailchimp) for owned audience control.
• Monetization: Patreon, Memberful or native platform memberships plus an e-commerce solution for merch (Shopify/Printful).

Automate repetitive tasks with Zapier/Make: auto-publish episodes to YouTube, generate chapters from transcripts, and queue short clips to social schedulers.

Case Study: What Ant & Dec teach creators about audience migration

Ant & Dec’s Belta Box launch illustrates several best practices you can copy:

• Leverage existing IP: they use classic TV moments to attract older fans and then introduce new content formats to keep them hooked.
• Audience-first format decisions: they asked fans what they wanted — a quick validation step that reduces launch risk.
• Platform diversity: launching across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and podcast platforms reduces single-platform dependency.
• Keep it authentic: their format is literally “hanging out” — simple, repeatable, and deeply resonant with their audience expecting personality-driven content.

Applied to your channel: inventory your best moments, ask your audience what they want, pick 2–3 platforms to prioritize, and design a launch schedule that moves viewers to your owned list.

Metrics that matter — what to track every week

Focus on a small set of KPIs that reflect discovery, conversion, and revenue:

• Discovery: new viewers/listens per platform, CPM of acquisition via short-form.
• Conversion: click-through rate from short clip to full episode, newsletter sign-ups per 1,000 views.
• Retention: 7/30-day returning listener/viewer rate; completion rate for long-form episodes.
• Revenue: ARPU (average revenue per user), membership conversion %, sponsor CPMs.

Run a weekly dashboard and a monthly strategy review to double down on what works and prune what doesn’t.

Future-proofing your channel — 2026 trends to adopt now

Plan for the next two years by adopting these trends early:

• AI-assisted personalization: use AI to create personalized episode clips for top fans (email-based re-engagement).
• Interoperable rights: negotiate multi-territory, multi-format rights upfront to avoid re-clearing when you scale.
• Data portability: centralize first-party data (emails, opt-ins) to reduce platform risk.
• Hybrid live + on-demand experiences: combine scheduled livestreams with episodic drops to build appointment viewing.

Checklist: Launch-ready in 30 days

1. Define 3 editorial pillars and one flagship format.
2. Create a 4-week content calendar with repurposing slots.
3. Audit rights for any archival material you plan to use.
4. Set up recording template and multitrack capture workflow.
5. Choose podcast host + video distribution plan; connect analytics.
6. Build a landing page to capture email and link to RSS/YouTube.
7. Plan 2 cross-promotion partnerships for launch week.

Final thought

Creating a successful multi-format channel in 2026 is not about doing more; it’s about designing smarter systems that turn one great conversation into many discoverable moments. Ant & Dec’s Belta Box shows that legacy creators can move online successfully when they combine fan insight, rights discipline and a clear repurposing playbook. You can do the same at an indie scale with repeatable processes and the right mix of tools.

Actionable next steps

Start with a single episode and ship it everywhere using the pipeline above. Use the 30-day checklist, clear any necessary rights, and measure the three KPIs (discovery, conversion, retention) weekly. After four weeks, iterate — lean into the formats and platforms that deliver the highest ROI.

Ready to build your multi-format channel? If you want a one-page template for the weekly schedule, a repurposing checklist, and a rights clearance worksheet customized for your show, download our free creator toolkit and get a 15-minute strategy audit from our team.

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