Global launches Vine: Six Seconds That Changed the World

Before TikTok, there was Vine – the six-second video app that defined a generation. Now, Vine: Six Seconds That Changed the World, an eight-part documentary podcast series hosted by digital culture expert and host of internet comedy and commentary show Scroll Deep, Benedict Townsend, peels back the layers of genius, chaos and betrayal that drove Vine’s spectacular rise… and it’s even more sudden collapse.

Launching Wednesday 23rd April 2025 on Global Player and all major podcast platforms, the series explores how Vine set the stage for today’s creator economy, becoming the springboard for the likes of Logan Paul, Joe Rogan, and MrBeast, long before TikTok dominated our feeds. To understand TikTok, or the modern internet itself, you need to understand Vine.

From viral moments to behind-the-scenes boardroom drama, this is the definitive story of a platform that captured lightning in a bottle – and changed internet culture forever.

With exclusive interviews from Vine’s co-founder Rus Yusupov, high-profile Vine creators including Aaron Crascall, Brandon Calvillo, Kenny Knox and Manon Mathews, and crucially, Twitter execs Karyn Spencer and Rich Arnold – who led the now-infamous meeting with top Vine stars that signalled the app’s unravelling – the series unpacks a pivotal moment in tech history.

In an age where chaos at the top is playing out in real-time across everything from Silicon Valley boardrooms to the White House, Vine’s collapse feels more relevant than ever. It wasn’t just a platform – it was a warning.

Digital culture expert, Benedict Townsend brings his expertise to Vine: Six Seconds That Changed the World, exploring how Vine went from ​​the tech world’s golden child, to quickly crashing and burning. Known for his sharp analysis of internet trends, Benedict Townsend has built a loyal following for his insightful deep dives into online culture as the host of Talk of the Townsends and creator of Scroll Deep.

The podcast also features a line-up of some of the most respected voices in tech journalism, adding weight and rigour to the series – most notably The Washington Post’s Taylor Lorenz, alongside Ryan Broderick and Bridget Todd. Their commentary cuts through the noise and helps make sense of what Vine meant then, and what it tells us now.

And for the generation who grew up looping six-second videos on repeat, the nostalgia is real. Vine: Six Seconds That Changed the World taps into that distinct Gen Z sensibility – both chaotic and creative – that Vine so perfectly captured.

Known for his incisive takes on online culture through his YouTube series Scroll Deep, host Benedict Townsend brings depth and clarity to this story. He is a trusted voice on how the internet shapes our world, and here, he guides listeners through Vine’s brief but seismic impact with authority and insight.

Speaking about the podcast, Benedict Townsend said, “If you want to see a magical glint cross someone’s eye, ask them about Vine. Vine was not just another app, it shaped a generation’s sense of humour, influenced how we consume content and paved the way for platforms like TikTok. This is the story of a platform that burned bright and disappeared almost overnight. I cannot wait for listeners to join us as we uncover the twisting story behind one of tech’s most compelling successes… and implosions.”