In Depth
Column: Nonfiction Web Series to Rule
We have yet to witness the successful migration of a Web series to the television. But when that epic event occurs, as it inevitably will, my double-down, all-in bet is on a nonfiction show.
With all due respect to the very fine original scripted Web programs out there like "Break a Leg," "Wainy Days" or "G.I.L.F.," none of those will be the landmark series that does what “Quarterlife” could not do—make the successful leap from the Web to the TV.
That accolade is more likely to go to a Web news show, a tech review show, or an interview show. We’re more likely to see Gary Vaynerchuk’s "Wine Library Reserve" (the five-minute version of his wine review show) imported to Fine Living, "ZapRoot" or "Green House" jump to Discovery Planet Green, or "Pop Siren’s" bite-size bits having another life on Oxygen. We might even see MojoHD’s "The Circuit" moving from the Web to the on-air network. Sure, the last one is an easy bet, since the show is already backed by a network.
But that’s sort of the point. News, reviews and talk shows are easier in general to sell to programmers and to viewers. Besides, look at the bulk of programming already on the tube. The lion’s share of content across the dial is nonfiction, such as sports, news, reality and Discovery- or Bravo-style programs. Shoehorning a breakout Web hit into those lineups makes more sense.
Plus, nonfiction is a safer gamble. Cable programming executives will have an easier time pitching a 5- or 10-minute Web series to run as an interstitial than a broadcast president will have greenlighting another scripted show. The stench of “Quarterlife’s” failure still lingers.
That’s not to say the writers, producers, directors and actors in some of the hottest Web series like writer Yuri Baranovsky of “Break a Leg” or writer-actor Felicia Day of "The Guild" won’t have careers on TV. They will. They’ll get hired. (Day has already been on TV in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”) But networks will cast her in some already existing show, rather than buying “The Guild,” despite all the show’s merits.
What’s more, the Web-to-TV migration that will happen will not occur with one big hit, but rather with a steady influx of nonfiction Internet programs on cable networks first, and then broadcast networks.
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Comments 21
Patricia
Great post!! I agree!! I'm about to hopefully sell something really cool along this line. Fingers crossed!
This gives me hope, Daisy!! :)
Jim Louderback
Although I appreciate the kind words for our Revision3 shows, I think the focus on turning a web show into a television hit is misguided. They are different mediums, and if you keep your eye on the old media prize, you'll by design be less successful with internet video.
I agree about non-fiction being the big winner when it comes to internet video. But I think those shows that focus on being great internet video programs, rather than formatting for an eventual migration to traditional TV, have the best chance for success.
John Hays
I have to agree with Jim. Why try to port backwards to an older medium? I mean, yes, right now there's more money to be had on television than on the internet, but in order to move things forward, you have to get past the immediate buck and keep pushing the online envelope, because the mainstream shift WILL eventually occur. With the advent of things like Apple TV and the merging of cable/internet/telephone companies, we're getting there. I say, make the best, more forward thinking innovative internet shows, and let TV fend for itself.
That being said, of the types of shows that might currently port back, I'd say fiction and nonfiction have an equal chance. While I could certainly see the types of scenarios you mention on Food TV, Discover, etc...I could also see a five minute fictional show tucked into a commercial spot on a hot primetime show like 24, Lost, etc...that way they're not trying to do it on their own, but have the already popular show bolstering the ratings.
Jason
Sure, Quarter-life was a failure, but I think it is early yet to throw out the bathwater. The traditional TV business is facing significant challenges with it's business model going forward. While web series can't solve all of the problems, I believe that their is a future of the two working hand-in-hand.
Maybe you won't see fiction-based shows picked up "as-is", but there are lots of other models. For example, we have a small "h" hit in Canada called "Little Mosque on the Prairie" (yeah, naming shows isn't our strong suit, but we play great hockey). Fox recently picked it up. They are going to re-write, re-produce, and re-shoot it, but the concept was tested in Canada (and a few other countries) first.
This is a model that could work for online series too, both fiction and non-fiction. That is where I am putting my money anyway.
Tim
Excellent observations. I'm tired of seeing articles called... "Why don't webshows make it on TV?" Because 90-95% of the stuff out there is awful while only a very small percentage of the shows are actually good. But of the good stuff only a very small portion of that even seems like it would have mass market potential (Rev3 and Leo Laporte are good examples.) And by mass we're still talking a relatively small portion of the population. If an internet show like "The Guild" did get picked up it would most likely be completely reformatted and lose the original quirkiness that made it successful.
A few years from now I'm sure there will be less of a distinction between shows made for the internet and for broadcast as low budget production quality continues to improve and as media center type functionality becomes more a part of the living room. Once you're downloading all your shows you'll have your Tekzilla right next to Heroes. Or your super niche webshow about modding toasters into computers.
Underseen
Would Sanctuary count?
That was a web series that SciFi picked up and is in the process of remaking/reimaging into a full series for the channel
http://www.sanctuaryforall.com
Although to be fair I believe the main reason for the pickup is the primary actress
John Hays
Tim makes a great point regarding downloading shows. Once that really becomes the standard, it won't matter where the content originated.
I actually did mean to mention Leo earlier, because he tried TV and it didn't do well, and he's much happier doing what he's doing now and probably wouldn't have any interest in going back to TV.
David Tochterman
Hi Daisy...I was at LATVF yesterday on Hayden Black's panel...FYI, I'm an Executive Producer of a new show on Adult Swim entitled FAT GUY STUCK IN INTERNET which is the first scripted comedy to begin online and move upstream to broadcast...it first appeared on Channel 101 where it was entitled GEMBERLING when it drew the attention of the network execs...
Jimbo
The biggest difference between shows for the web and shows for the television amount to budget and financial backing. Being a web series producer myself, I have to say that the idea of being picked up by a network is alluring, but it is not the ultimate goal of production. Having the web gives storytellers in film a not-so-exclusive means of presenting their stuff...getting it out there...and creating a following that at least family and friends can enjoy.
I think the mindset needs to change as well here. Not "can web shows jump to tv" but "can web shows begin to make profits on the web." Both are substantial challenges.
Jamison Tilsner
I think this is primarily a budget issue...
High production-value non-fiction series are much less costly than high quality scripted series, so they can transfer seamlessly to TV.
Fiction producers and concepts have made the jump, but concepts require some polish for TV. Take, for example, WeNeedGirlfriends.tv
I more interested in seeing how scripted TV series begin to use branded websites to engage with audiences in innovative ways.
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