Horror-based web series isn't scaring away fans

A Grand Falls-Windsor man is getting a frighteningly high number of viewers for his horror-themed web series. 

Mike Hickey's Fright Hype is a weekly show dedicated to the horror genre.

"I talk about horror movies coming out, TV shows, comics, entertainment news that people who are into the genre will — hopefully — really enjoy," said Hickey.

Hickey said the show is an original idea that caters to an online crowd, and is a reality thanks to Crypt TV; a horror-based website started by Jack Davis and Eli Roth.

Hickey, who works in St. John's as a graphic designer and filmmaker, got involved with the website after a failed attempt to raise cash on Kickstarter.

"I said, 'If you're looking for original content I have this concept for a show'."

"I basically shot the concept upstairs in a spare bedroom with a green screen which was actually a sheet I bought at Walmart, sent it to them and they loved it," said Hickey.

Since May of 2015, Hickey has been producing the weekly show, which includes news and reviews of horror movies, TV shows and comic books.

The boost from Crypt TV has seen the numbers of eyeballs on his online show grow.

"We are averaging about 200,000 views a week," he said. 

"It's weird because I remember being super excited when we'd hit 1,500 and now it's like, a slow week is 60,000. It's so strange how much it's grown in the last year and a half."

Hickey said he's only taken eight weeks off, and has put up 69 episodes.

Each video takes a few hours to make and is uploaded on Fridays. 

There are a few bucks involved for his time and effort, but for Hickey it's not about the money. 

"It's more about how much I love it and getting myself out there," he said. 

"I always kind of hoped that I'd be able to parlay that into other things in the industry and that seems to be happening so far."