Webisodes

"Family Guy" Creator in Deal with Google for Original Web Series

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 30, 2008 - 12:27pm.

Los Angeles - "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane has signed a deal with Google to release a new project exclusively on the Internet, which will be syndicated via Google's AdSense system to "thousands of Web sites that are predetermined to be gathering spots for Mr. MacFarlance's target audience," The New York Times reported. MacFarlane will share in ad revenue generated by "Seth MacFarlane's Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy," which will debut the first of 50 two-minute episodes in September.

Eisner's Vuguru Debuts "Foreign Body" Webisode Series

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 29, 2008 - 11:22am.

Los Angeles - Former Disney head Michael Eisner's Vuguru digital content studio has debuted its newest Web series, "Foreign Body," which will comprise 50 episodes with a new installment offered daily. Silicon Alley Insider reports that "Foreign Body," which is a promotional prequel to an upcoming Robin Cook novel, cost $5,000 a minute, or $10,000 per episode to produce -- up dramatically from the $3,000 per 90 minutes the company spent on "Prom Queen."

NBC to Debut Webisodes for Top TV Series

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 3, 2008 - 10:34am.

New York - NBC (NYSE: GE) has announced plans to launch original webisodes in July for some of its most popular TV shows, including "Heroes," "The Office," "30 Rock" and "Chuck."

tags: Marketing | TV | NBC | Webisodes |

MySpace to Launch Webisode Series for Spanish Rapper Porta

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 7, 2008 - 12:14pm.

Madrid - News Corp.'s (NYSE: NWS) MySpace has signed a deal with Intuition Films and graphic design firm Koncept to create a Spanish-language webisode series featuring Spain-based hip-hop artist Porta, Variety reports. The 10-webisode series, "Porta, en boca de tantos," will launch on MySpace next Tuesday, coinciding with the release of Porta's first album.

SXSW, ON Networks Create Award for Best Original Web Series

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 19, 2007 - 12:57pm.

Austin, Texas - The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival announced on Monday that it has partnered with ON Networks, a distributor of original, HD shows across multiple digital platforms, to create the Greenlight Awards, "a competition aimed at discovering the next great, original and episodic digital series." Submissions will be reviewed from December through Feb. 15; the winner, who will be awarded $10,000 and a distribution deal through ON Networks, will be announced during the festival, which runs March 7-15.

Warner Music Artists to Feature in Bebo Web Series "KateModern"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 1, 2007 - 12:54pm.

London - Warner Music Group's Atlantic Records UK has partnered with social network Bebo to promote its artists on the site's "KateModern" Web series, a spin-off of the popular "Lonelygirl15" series. Similar to "The O.C.," Atlantic acts including the Days will both perform on the show and interact with cast members. Bebo will in turn promote the Warner artists' releases on its network.

KushTV to Debut Webisode Reality Series With Rock Band Korn

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 19, 2007 - 3:26pm.

Los Angeles - KushTV, a high-definition video network for online, mobile and digital cable platforms, on Thursday announced plans to launch an original broadband reality series featuring EMI/Virgin Records recording artists Korn. "The Loc Dog Show" will be comprised of 30 webisodes, updated twice weekly, and feature backstage footage from the Family Values World Tour.

tags: Video | TV | Music | Webisodes | KushTV | Korn |

NBC Universal to Produce Promo Webisodes for Netflix

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 12, 2007 - 4:33pm.

Los Gatos, Calif. - Online DVD rental service Netflix said on Tuesday that it has hired NBC Universal Digital Studios to produce three series of online webisodes that will showcase Netflix's content offerings. The first, "I Love This Movie!", will appear bi-weekly and introduce subscribers to a new classic film in a 2-3 minute segment.

Microsoft Signs Volvo, Chivas to Sponsor Reveille Webisode Series

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 9, 2007 - 3:40pm.

Seattle - Microsoft has signed advertising deals with Volvo and Chivas Brothers, which will support two webisode series from TV production company Reveille ("The Office," "Ugly Betty"), the Associated Press reported. Financial and product placement details of the arrangements were not disclosed. Volvo will sponsor a series called "Driving School," while Chivas Regal will be involved with a travel and adventure series, "This is the Life," both of which are slated to premiere on MSN Video in the next six months.

"Motherhood" Webisode Series to Feature Leah Remini, User Storylines

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 17, 2007 - 4:37pm.

New York - Mindshare Entertainment announced on Tuesday that it will produce an original Web series on motherhood, starring Leah Remini of "The King of Queens," that will incorporate storylines generated by moms. Debuting on May 11 on MSN, the five-episode "In the Motherhood" series will be directed by Peter Lauer. The webisodes will also be viewable on the websites of Sprint and Suave, the series' two sponsors, and promoted on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and in People magazine.

Judge Dismisses NBC Complaint Against Writers Guild Over Webisodes

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 22, 2007 - 12:05pm.

Los Angeles - The Writers Guild of America has announced that a judge has dismissed an unfair labor practice complaint filed against it by NBC, which claimed the guild had unlawfully pressured writer-producers at top NBC shows not to write "webisodes."

Web Reality Show to Follow Start-up Company PayPerPost.com

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 4, 2006 - 3:26pm.
Orlando, Fla. - Rockstartup.com on Monday introduced its Web reality series that follows the development of a start-up Internet company, PayPerPost.com. The site will post eight-minute, documentary-style webisodes each week on the venture, which links advertisers with freelance bloggers who will hire themselves out to promote products and services via online social networks.

CBS Web Reality Series "Inturn" to Air on TV

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 26, 2006 - 1:23pm.
Los Angeles - CBS plans to air a series originally created exclusively for broadband on its television network, according to The Hollywood Reporter. A compilation of the 24 webisodes of "Inturn," a reality series where actors competed for a slot on CBS' "As the World Turns," will air in a one-hour episode on CBS on Nov. 24.

Buena Vista Games to Publish "Spectrobes" Webisodes, Nintendo DS Game

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 21, 2006 - 8:27am.
Tokyo - Disney's Buena Vista Games announced on Thursday that it will ship "Spectrobes" for Nintendo DS worldwide on March 15, 2007. Developed by Kyoto-based Jupiter Corporation, the game is based on an original anime property developed by Buena Vista Games, and will be accompanied by a series of six two-minute webisodes that flesh out the storyline.

Volvo to Debut "Treasure Hunt" Webisodes on Friday

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 24, 2006 - 6:38pm.
Irvine, Calif. - Volvo on Thursday announced plans to debut its series of online webisodes chronicling the final stages of its treasure hunt that had contestants searching for a buried Volvo XC90 V8.

Viacom's The N Network to Offer "Degrassi" Webisodes

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 30, 2006 - 7:35am.
New York - Viacom's The N teen-focused cable TV network on Monday announced plans to launch "Degrassi Minis," an original series created for the Web that is based on Epitome Pictures' "Degrassi" franchise. The online series features a new cast of students, and will air in 2-3 minute shorts offered weekly through March 17.