NBC acquires two more webseries

Yesterday, I wrote about how CBS is using unique Internet video to promote its Network shows. Today, The Hollywood Reporter has an article about how NBC Universal plans on using television to promote two new online webseries it recently acquired: Gemini Division and Woke Up Dead, both from Electric Farm Entertainment. “Our vision is to use the TV assets as a marketing device to attract viewers to the Internet series,” Electric Farm CEO is quoted as saying. Although NBC Universal plans on airing reformatted half-hour episodes of the shows on television, the conglomerate’s primary goal is to run the two webseries on its various websites, including NBC.com. This is a different approach for NBC Universal, which acquired the on-air rights to the Marshall Herskovitz/Edward Zwick Internet creation, quarterlife, last November only to see it flop on its Network flagship this past February with a dismal 3.1 million viewers. It was subsequently “cancelled” after one episode. The SciFi Channel, another NBC Universal commodity, has also ventured onto the World Wide Web for programming with the high-definition webseries Sanctuary.

Although it’s great to see a media giant like NBC Universal be such a strong supporter and believer in the webseries medium, it would be even more significant for the format if the company looked at independent productions instead of the professionally produced. The principal partners in Electric Farm Entertainment, for instance, have numerous Network and cable television shows on their resumes, while Herskovitz and Zwick created such classis series like thirtysomething and My So Called Life. Sanctuary, meanwhile, was conceived and produced by a trio of Stargate SG-1 alums. What about Justin Kownacki, a Pittsburgh filmmaker, and his Something to Be Desired webseries? Or Felicia Day’s The Guild, which is financed through fan donations on the show’s website? While NBC Universal seems intent on entering the webseries fray, which in turn benefits everyone by adding to the medium’s legitimacy as a storytelling device, it would be wise for the conglomerate to consider the true World Wide Web pioneers, regardless of who has the better resume.

—Anthony Letizia (April 17, 2008)

 

ALTERNA-TV.COM ARTICLES OF INTEREST:

The Guild Webseries Review Review of the ten-episode webseries created by actress Felicia Day that revolves around a group of online gamers (May 26, 2008).

For NBC Universal, the Times They Are a-Changin' Article discussing CEO Jeff Zucker’s recent speech at the NATPE convention and the changes NBC Universal has implemented since (February 25, 2008).

An Interview with Online Producers Felicia Day and Justin Kownacki The creators of The Guild and Something to Be Desired discuss the current WGA strike and the future of the webseries (December 24, 2007).

The Online Webseries: Cure for the Writers Strike Blues? Article discussing the webseries in general, and shows like Chad Vader, The Guild, quarterlife and Something to Be Desired specifically, while examining how the WGA strike could benefit them (November 12, 2007).

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ALTERNA-TV.COM BLOG ENTRIES OF INTEREST:

Dr. Horrible trailer available online A one minute, three second teaser for the new Joss Whedon musical web series, Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog, is now available online (June 26, 2008).

FX minisodes and a TNT microseries FX launches a series of ten Rescue Me minisodes while TNT plans on a twenty-episode microseries called Blank Slate in the latest round of new media experimentation (June 24, 2008).

StrikeTV to launch on July 4th The online network of original video content first proposed during the strike by the Writers Guild of America is set to launch on Independence Day. (June 19, 2008).

Sony's new web-to-DVD business model Sony plans on launching new online webseries next year and then releasing them as DVD movies (June 17, 2008).

Television webisodes on the rise FOX launches a 24 spin-off called Rookie while NBC plans webisodes for Chuck, Heroes and The Office (May 1, 2008).