CBS commits to web content

In terms of utilizing the Internet to expand the viewing experience of television fans, NBC has stood out compared to the other Networks. Sure, ABC has allowed Lost to do some truly groundbreaking experiments on the web, from “fake” websites containing hidden Easter eggs, to the Lost Experience and Find 815 alternative reality games, to the Missing Pieces webisodes. FOX, meanwhile, is currently running a 24 webseries spinoff on its site, and CBS attempted to build an interactive community around Jericho. But it has been NBC, especially in regards to Heroes and The Office, that has most fully embraced the World Wide Web. Until now, that is.

CBS announced on Thursday that it has formed a partnership with EQAL, the social entertainment company recently founded by lonelygirl15 creators Miles Beckett and Greg Goodfried. Although non-exclusive, the pact does give CBS “first look” at any new shows the duo develops. Of more significance, however, is that EQAL will work with existing CBS shows to produce original online content, and not merely as extensions. “Until now, online content associated with TV shows has had virtually no real connection to the show’s narrative experience,” Beckett explains on PR Newswire. “What CBS and EQAL are coming together to create is groundbreaking and will be the first time that television stories will be extended and amplified online in a way that takes full advantage of the Internet’s capabilities for interaction and community. The extended narratives online will give fans and viewers the opportunity for a whole new level of engagement both in between airings of the TV episodes and as standalone plot lines.” Out of all the announcement made during “up-fronts” this week—the time when the Networks announce their new shows and Fall schedules—this is the one I, personally, am most excited about.

—Anthony Letizia (May 15, 2008)

 

ALTERNA-TV.COM ARTICLES OF INTEREST:

Online Communities Prepare for the Return of Jericho Article exploring the Internet fan communities of Jericho and the various online media available in preparation of the drama’s February 12, 2008, return to CBS (February 11, 2008).

Office Website Perfect Companion for NBC Comedy Article exploring the online world of the NBC hit comedy The Office, including character blogs, web-based games and Dunder Mifflin Infinity (January 7, 2008).

'Evolutions' Worthy Digital Extension of the Heroes Universe Article exploring the online world of the NBC hit drama Heroes, including its fictitious websites and webcomics (December 31, 2007).

'Missing Pieces' Adds to the Groundbreaking Legacy of Lost Article spotlighting the recently released Lost: Missing Pieces webisodes and how they compliment the groundbreaking efforts of the ABC drama (December 3, 2007).

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ALTERNA-TV.COM BLOG ENTRIES OF INTEREST:

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).

New Lost online experience launched LOSTscape becomes the latest addition to the growing online content available for Lost (April 22, 2008).

Is content still king? The creators of lonelygirl15 and KateModern raise capital for new social entertainment company EQAL (April 18, 2008).

Network television in under 10 minutes CBS division Eyelab slices-and-dices TV shows into bit-size pieces for the Internet (April 16, 2008).