In the rapidly shifting landscape of digital streaming, where algorithms often dictate what we watch, a new movement is quietly reclaiming the “human” element of entertainment. In a recent episode of Indie Influencer, which premiered its new host, the charismatic Jim Catapano, a deep dive into the career of “Renaissance man” Attila Juhasz revealed a visionary roadmap for the future of independent art: a platform aptly named Channel Indie.
The discussion between Catapano and Juhasz serves as both a retrospective of media history and a manifesto for creators. Juhasz, the CEO of ACWTV (Attila Creative Works), has spent decades navigating the evolution of media—from launching the first-ever horror genre website in 1996 to becoming a flagship Roku developer with a network of over 2,000 titles. Now, alongside his co-producer, the esteemed arts advocate Jay Michaels, Juhasz is focusing his veteran expertise on a niche that needs it most: the modern independent creator.
The Architects of the New Independent Home
The partnership between Attila Juhasz and Jay Michaels is one built on a mutual obsession with storytelling. Having worked together for over a decade on projects like Terror Talk and Jay-Watch, the duo is currently restructuring Channel Indie to serve as a premium, subscription-based ecosystem for creators who have been “turned down by everyone” or lost in the vastness of YouTube.
Channel Indie isn’t just a video hosting site; it’s a curated showcase. Juhasz explains that the platform will feature:
- Independent Cinema: From award-winning shorts to experimental features.
- Theatrical Readings: A digital stage for playwrights and actors to share live readings and performance art.
- Music & Podcasting: A home for the “local feel,” spotlighting everything from jazz pianists in local wine bars to concert footage of indie bands, to specialized podcasts.
- The “Reel” Section: Perhaps most innovatively, the channel will include a section for professional reels, allowing actors, directors, and FX technicians to showcase their capabilities and find new collaborators.
A Legacy of Preservation
Host Jim Catapano highlighted how Juhasz’s work feels like a “past meets future” situation. Juhasz’s flagship channel, Western TV Movie Classics, remains a top performer on Roku, proving that there is a massive audience for the “Golden Age” of media.
Juhasz shared moving anecdotes about his inspiration—specifically his father, a Hungarian revolutionary who instilled in him a love for lost cinema. This personal mission evolved into a professional mastery of public domain content. Juhasz and Michaels even brought a “Robert Osborne-style” flair to these classics with the series Jay-Watch, where Michaels provides expert historical context and monologue introductions to prepare viewers for the films.
The “Got to Win It” Mentality
The ethos behind Channel Indie is best summarized by Juhasz’s own mantra and stadium-anthem song, “Got to Win It.” Originally inspired by his love for the New York Rangers, the song and his accompanying book represent the resilience required to survive in the arts.
Whether it was building the first genre website, managing heavy metal legend Rob Halford’s label, or successfully navigating the “highs and lows” of the 2020 lockdown to build a massive streaming network, Juhasz emphasizes that success is a team effort. This “assist” mentality—a lesson learned from his father—is the foundation of what he and Jay Michaels are building for the independent community.
A Call to Creators
As Jim Catapano concluded, the arts community is looking for a home that is “more attuned to them than just the internet as a whole.” With the launch of Channel Indie, Juhasz and Michaels are offering exactly that: a place where “vivid, character-driven, and profoundly human” stories can finally find their audience.
For filmmakers, musicians, and performers ready to take the next step, the doors to this new network are opening. As Juhasz puts it, “There’s so much independent talent out there… Channel Indie is a good starting spot to build a huge network of independent creators.”
Watch the full interview on JMGlobalChannel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayDCkSbS_6g
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