StrikeTV to launch on July 4th

When the strike by the Writers Guild of America began last November, many people wondered if all those unemployed scribes would lead to an onslaught of original Internet content. Given that compensation for online product was one of the major issues the strike centered around, the idea was not out of the question; the Divided Hollywood blog even reported on December 17th that the WGA was considering launching StrikeTV.com the following month, a website featuring new, original web video created by the union’s members. While at least two workshops were held for interested writers in the Los Angeles area—and various blurbs from the likes of TV Squad popped up announcing the project—nothing ever materialized. And when the strike ended, everyone assumed the plans had died with it.

Not so. According to both the StrikeTV.com website, as well as its corresponding MySpace page, the “online network” will launch on July 4, 2008, with “the largest collection of original shows created for the Internet by Hollywood.” While there are no details about specific projects, the site states the upcoming shows will run the gamut of genres—from comedy to drama, sci-fi to soaps—and are all self-funded by their creators. Proceeds for the first 45 shows will go towards the Writers Guild Foundation Industry Support, which supports non-WGA members who were adversely affected by the strike. NewTeeVee has a little more information, including that those involved in StrikeTV content include writers from The Office, The Daily Show and comic legend Bob Newhart.

This year, Independence Day isn’t just a celebration of our country’s freedom, but the creative freedom of the World Wide Web as well.

—Anthony Letizia (June 19, 2008)

 

ALTERNA-TV.COM ARTICLES OF INTEREST:

Television Writers Take Their Talents to the World Wide Web Article about the newly launched StrikeTV, Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible musical webseries, as well as other recent Internet endeavors by television writers (July 7, 2008).

Dr. Horrible Conjures Up Internet Buzz Article exploring the latest project by Buffy the Vampire Slayer mastermind Joss Whedon, and the Internet buzz surrounding the upcoming Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog webseries (April 14, 2008).

Television Fans Unite In Support of Striking Writers Article exploring fan campaigns in support of the Writer’s Guild of America and what impact, if any, they may have on the current labor dispute (November 26, 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).

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).

The return of The WB Warner Brothers announces The WB will return as an online network (April 29, 2008).

NBC acquires two more webseries Despite the failure of quarterlife, NBC Universal partners with Electric Farm Entertainment for new online endeavors (April 17, 2008).