Just days after launching a private beta of its new online video portal, The WB has announced plans to expand its online video distribution network. Honestly, the whole thing sounds a lot like Hulu, the online video portal backed by NBC and FOX.
Here's how it will work: You'll be able to visit TheWB.com or TheKidsWB.com and watch full-length episodes of classic WB shows like Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Gilmore Girls, or you'll be able to find videos through a number of partners including DailyMotion, Sling Media, Veoh, TiVo, and Joost. The WB currently distributes some TV shows through Hulu, but not all of them.
It would have been nice if the WB had partnered with Hulu instead of competing with the web site. Fortunately, the distribution deals announced today mean that you don't need to visit two separate sites to find the content you're looking for. Some of the partner sites, including Veoh will have episodes from both Hulu and The WB, as well as selected content from CBS.
The new web channels will go live in mid-September. Or you can sign up for the private beta at TheWB.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-12-2008 @ 9:48PM
Christina Warren said...
Except that Fox produced Buffy, not Warner Bros., so Buffy would be on Hulu (and is), as Fox/Universal engineered that service. Warner Bros. Television produced Gilmore Girls for what was then the WB network (now known as the CW, in conjunction with CBS), and while a few of their (Warner Bros. Television) shows are on Hulu (mostly their F/X original series, again, because of the Fox connection), it will most likely be other Warner Bros. television properties that appear on the new portal, not shows from the late WB network.
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6-12-2008 @ 9:54PM
Brad Linder said...
Brett did a first look at the new web site the other day, and Buffy episodes are available. He even embedded one in his post:
http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/06/10/the-wb-is-back-almost-video/
I'm not quite sure who's calling the shots on the content deals here. But if it means more Buffy in more places, I ain't complaining.
6-15-2008 @ 10:12AM
Dave Zatz said...
I've got access too - lots of Buffy. Their syndication rights must extend to the web.
6-12-2008 @ 9:53PM
steven said...
There is a problem with that picture, he O.C. was FOX, not WB
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6-12-2008 @ 9:50PM
Brad Linder said...
The picture was taken from TheWB.com. I assume that means Smallville, The O.C., and Gilmore Girls will all be available. Or the company needs to fire someone in their graphics department.
6-12-2008 @ 10:21PM
StillBash said...
I'm so glad that the writers didn't strike for nothing.
I mean with all those on-demand online video websites popping up like mad you really have to wonder how much of a "nothing" these sites are generating in ad revenues. And how much of a letdown the final agreement was. I say it wasn't one and the strike was justified.
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6-13-2008 @ 9:19AM
segsig said...
I hope Studio 60 is moved from Hulu, but they probably have an agreement for a length of time.
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7-21-2008 @ 9:05AM
Anthony said...
hmmm, WB site will be content specific to their content versus on portals with multiple content partners. not sure that the content-specific will be as good as the multiple content partner approach. professional video sites like hulu, zoogatv and tidaltv are the best way to go with multiple content partners.
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7-21-2008 @ 9:10AM
Anthony said...
try multiple professional content portals like www.hulu.com, www.zoogatv.com and www.tidaltv.com versus the wb's approach of being content specific.
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7-21-2008 @ 9:15AM
Anthony said...
popular video sites like hulu, zoogatv and tidaltv that offer programming from multiple content sources versus breing content-specific (from your own network) is simply just better.
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