The Upscale Media Films, Inc. Momentum in partnership with Hartbeat Continues as Its Latest Vertical Microdrama Takes the #1 Spot, With ‘KING OF THE SOUTH’ Next Up: PREMIERES TODAY
LOS ANGELES, CA October 1, 2026
Upscale Productions is on a major roll in the vertical entertainment space. Just days after its September 24 debut, the company’s latest vertical microdrama, TRAPSTAR, has climbed to the #1 position on aTwist in less than 48 hours, creating significant momentum for the company’s growing slate of mobile-first original content.
The rapid ascent of TRAPSTAR comes as Upscale Productions prepares to unveil its next highly anticipated vertical series, KING OF THE SOUTH, premiering TODAY, October 1, 2026 Thursday on aTwist. The back-to-back releases demonstrate Upscale Productions’ strategy of building a consistent pipeline of original, culturally relevant stories designed specifically for the rapidly expanding vertical entertainment audience.
TRAPSTAR Goes #1 on aTwist
Following its September 24 launch, TRAPSTAR quickly connected with audiences and rose through the aTwist rankings, reaching #1 in less than 48 hours.
The achievement marks an important early milestone for Upscale Productions and further demonstrates the company's ability to create projects capable of generating immediate audience attention in the vertical format.
“TRAPSTAR reaching #1 in less than 48 hours is an incredible moment for Upscale Productions and everyone involved,” said Malik Davis, CEO and Founder of Upscale Productions. “But we're not stopping there. We're building a slate. KING OF THE SOUTH is next, and we're excited to continue giving audiences stories that are bold, culturally relevant and designed for the way people consume entertainment today.”
KING OF THE SOUTH Premieres This Thursday
With TRAPSTAR currently riding high at #1, KING OF THE SOUTH is set to premiere this Thursday on aTwist, giving audiences another major Upscale Productions title to discover which is an adaptation from best selling author Blake Karrington.
The upcoming series arrives at a particularly significant moment for the company, following the immediate audience response to TRAPSTAR and Upscale Productions' broader expansion into vertical storytelling. With ownership of over 27,000 original IP’s, a built in audience and built in fan base, we are eager to see what our fan base thinks about this adaptation.
The consecutive releases position Upscale Productions as a company focused not simply on individual hits, but on developing a repeatable pipeline of premium vertical entertainment and intellectual property.
Building the Future of Vertical Entertainment
The success of TRAPSTAR and the upcoming premiere of KING OF THE SOUTH reflect the continuing evolution of entertainment consumption, particularly among audiences who increasingly discover scripted stories through mobile devices and short-form platforms.
Upscale Productions is embracing that shift by developing stories specifically engineered for vertical viewing combining rapid pacing, dramatic cliffhangers, culturally resonant characters and highly bingeable storytelling.
The company's growing slate also brings greater diversity to the vertical entertainment landscape, creating opportunities for stories and perspectives that have historically received limited representation in mainstream entertainment.
A Major Moment for Upscale Productions
The #1 performance of TRAPSTAR arrives as Upscale Productions continues expanding its footprint across vertical entertainment, television and film.
With KING OF THE SOUTH arriving Thursday, the company is turning one successful launch into a broader content moment giving audiences another reason to return to aTwist and positioning Upscale Productions for its next chapter of growth.
TRAPSTAR is #1.
KING OF THE SOUTH premieres TODAY, Thursday, October 1, 2026.
And Upscale Productions is just getting started.
About Upscale Productions
Upscale Productions, led by CEO and Founder Malik Davis, is an entertainment company focused on developing and producing innovative film, television and vertical storytelling. The company is building a growing ecosystem of original intellectual property and culturally relevant entertainment designed for today's audiences and emerging platforms.
Instagram pages to follow:
@therealhartbeat @upscale_media_films @codeblacklife @atwistofficial
