Colin Petrie-Norris: From Xumo to Fairground Entertainment
Colin Petrie-Norris made a name for himself as a pioneer in the free, ad-supported television (FAST) space with the founding of Xumo. Now, he is setting his sights on the future of AI entertainment with his new venture, Fairground Entertainment.
Fairground Entertainment, Petrie-Norris’ latest endeavor, is a studio and streaming distribution service dedicated to AI-generated TV series. With a $4 million seed round raised from investors led by Viant Technology, the company is gearing up to revolutionize the entertainment industry once again.
Petrie-Norris has announced plans to launch the first wave of original programming from Fairground in the third quarter of 2025. The initial lineup will include reimagined versions of iconic public domain stories, starting with shows based on characters like Dracula and Robin Hood. Additionally, discussions are underway with studios to secure licensing for well-known IP to be transformed into AI-based series across various genres such as animation, kids’ content, horror, and sci-fi.
The core mission of Fairground is to empower creators by merging original storytelling and human creativity with generative AI technology. The company is currently funding a select group of AI creators who are utilizing a range of generative AI platforms and tools to develop more than a dozen AI-powered TV shows at different stages of production.
Petrie-Norris emphasized the significant impact of AI technologies on content creation, stating, “The entertainment industry is at a pivotal moment, driven by the rapid advancement of AI technologies that promise to redefine content creation.”
With Fairground, Petrie-Norris aims to deliver high-quality entertainment that will captivate audiences. He recognizes that while the novelty of AI may attract initial interest, the ultimate factor that will retain viewers is the quality of the content.
Petrie-Norris, known for founding Xumo in 2011 and subsequently selling it to Comcast in a lucrative deal, brings a wealth of experience in scaling and monetizing streaming platforms to his new venture. Fairground, based in Laguna Beach, California, currently has a small team of five employees.
Tim Vanderhook, co-founder and CEO of Viant Technology, expressed confidence in Petrie-Norris and Fairground Entertainment, highlighting their shared vision for innovation in streaming entertainment through AI. Vanderhook’s endorsement stems from his past collaboration with Petrie-Norris on Xumo, which underscores the latter’s entrepreneurial acumen and expertise in driving content creation with an AI-first approach.
Vanderhook, who previously led Myspace and oversaw Viant’s transition to public ownership, recognizes the transformative potential of AI in shaping the future of entertainment. As Fairground Entertainment prepares to make its mark in the industry, Petrie-Norris and his team are poised to lead the way in AI-generated content creation.
