Maybe Hip – Blogs Internet Television

OK, Good Stuff: More Internet Shows

As discussed in episode 2 of OK, Good Stuff, some of the big TV networks are jumping into the world of online video.  One network which we didn’t mention in the episode is Fox Television Studios, who earlier this year, quietly launched a digital component, called 15 Gigs.  Compared to other networks’ online content, this digital shop created by Fox looks to be more of a digital incubator for short internet shows that may potentially turn into full series on television.  So in essence, the presentation of these shows on the internet acts as a bunch of “pilot” episodes for these programs, and allows Fox to see what works, what doesn’t, and what can be changed to potentially turn these into full TV shows, all done with relatively little money, and without wasting precious TV time on actual pilot episodes.

So, for instance, Fox Television Studios is in the works right now to take the web series, “When Ninjas Attack”, and turn it into an actual game show for cable.  I’ve watched a couple episodes now, and from what I’ve seen, the show barely gets a chuckle from me. It might fit better among the millions of homemade comedy videos on YouTube, rather than trying to be developed into more by a major network. I am surprised, considering all of the funny videos on the internet, that this is what a major network chooses to possibly turn into a cable TV show… then again, it is Fox, so I’m not that surprised.  My prediction, if it makes it onto cable, is that it ends up on Spike TV.

Still, the idea behind 15 Gigs is a good one, and it’s a strategy that I think would be beneficial to all major networks looking to test the waters on potential shows.

Daisy Whitney, of New Media Minute, is optimistic of the future of 15 Gigs.  She explains why on her recent episode.

I did get a peek at a couple of other shows listed under 15 Gigs, and they might not all be terrible, so I intend to take another look soon.  Maybe we’ll report more later on.  In the meantime, you can check out the other web comedies that Pat and I talk about on episode 2 of OK, Good Stuff.

Watch this episode now.

Robby Silver