CBS Interactive Readying ‘Novel Adventures’

By Daisy Whitney

CBS Interactive is expanding its original Web production with the scripted show "Novel Adventures," slated to launch online in early November, the network announced today.

Automaker Saturn will sponsor the series from creator Jonathan Prince, whose credits include “The Cleaner” and “Cane.” The eight-episode Web series debuts Nov. 3 on CBS.com, TheInsider.com and TV.com. It stars Daphne Zuniga, Paola Turbay, Ashley Williams and Jolie Jenkins.

Those three sites will run each episode exclusively before they are released to other sites in the CBS Audience Network, such as MSN, Yahoo and YouTube. CBS will promote the Web series on-air and online.

CBS expects the show will draw “millions of views,” said Anthony Soohoo, senior VP and general manager of entertainment for CBS Interactive, in an interview with TelevisionWeek.

He added that “Novel Adventures” is the next step in the evolution of CBS Interactive, which already produces and distributes the ongoing nonfiction Web shows “Moblogic” and “WallStrip.”

Bonus content for “Novel Adventures” will include blogs, vlogs, quizzes and discussion boards.

“We are trying to create storylines that make sense of the Web, that unfold and captivate the Web audience,” Mr. Soohoo said. “We think we can build a viral fan base for this online and on-air.”