HEY, IT'S BLAKE O'NEAL AND I AM THE LEAD BLOGGER FOR THIS WEEK. THE TREND OF MOBLIE MEDIA IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE PROMINENT THESE DAYS WITH DEVICES LIKE THE PSP AND THE iPHONE, AND I WAS WONDERING HOW EVERYONE FELT ABOUT VISUAL PORTABLE MEDIA. I RECENTLY FOUND THIS ARTICLE WHILE DOING SOME RESEARCH ON MY COMPANY. THE ARTICLE IS ABOUT V-CAST PROGRAMMING BEING OFFERED THROUGH VERIZON WIRELESS.
The WB Channel Debuts Exclusively on V CAST from Verizon Wireless with Premiere of Original Series Sorority Forever
September 10, 2008
From CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment 2008 in San Francisco, Verizon Wireless, builder and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, and the Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG) today announced The WB Channel is now available on V CAST Video. Available exclusively on mobile through Verizon Wireless' V CAST Video service, The WB Channel features made-for-mobile programming from five original series on TheWB.com, beginning with the mobile premiere of Sorority Forever, an innovative drama that gives a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most intriguing secret societies in the world: the sorority.
In Sorority Forever, director/producer McG (Terminator Salvation, The O.C., Chuck, Supernatural and the Charlie's Angels movies), through his Wonderland Sound and Vision banner, teams up with Big Fantastic, producers of the hit digital series Prom Queen. With a mystery around every corner, Sorority Forever will provide viewers with a sexy and immersive experience that is simultaneously realistic and voyeuristic, as if Prom Queen met The O.C., but set in college. The series stars Jessica Rose (lonelygirl15), Mikaela Hoover, Taryn Southern, Anabella Casanova, Candice Patton, Annemarie Pazmino, Jessica Morris, Cary Hungerford, Angie Cole, David Loren and Joaquin Pastor. McG will executive produce, along with Big Fantastic creators/executive producers Douglas Cheney, Chris Hampel, Chris McCaleb and Ryan Wise. Producing alongside McG at Wonderland Sound and Vision are Peter Johnson, Matthew King and Jeff Grosvenor.
Commercial-free episodes of Sorority Forever will be available on The WB Channel on V CAST Video over the span of eight weeks, allowing fans to catch up with their favorite online series and watch previews of new episodes while they are on-the-go, even with just a few minutes to spare. Additional series from TheWB.com will make their mobile debuts on V CAST Video later this year.
Verizon Wireless is committed to delivering a variety of V CAST Video programming to meet ongoing customer demand for news, sports, weather and entertainment while on-the-go. In the first half of 2008, Verizon Wireless customers downloaded more than 71 million video clips and songs from the company's V CAST Video and Music services. With the addition of The WB Channel, Verizon Wireless is able to offer a broader line-up of content on V CAST Video to help satisfy the mobile cravings of Verizon Wireless customers.
The WB Channel is located in the TV section of the Picture & Video shopping aisle within V CAST Video. Customers with select V CAST-enabled phones can check out V CAST whenever they want for just $3.00 for 24-hour use or by signing up for the $15.00 V CAST VPak monthly subscription, which also includes access to Verizon Wireless' ESPN MVP, Get It Now® and Mobile Web services. Customers get unlimited basic video – including The WB Channel – but application download fees may apply for 3D games and premium video. There are no airtime or megabyte charges to download, stream or watch V CAST content with any V CAST subscription.
About Warner Bros. Television Group
The Warner Bros. Television Group oversees the entire portfolio of Warner Bros. television businesses, including worldwide production, traditional and digital distribution and broadcasting. WBTVG is committed to creating, producing and distributing content across all traditional, emerging digital and future platforms in the evolving entertainment and media landscape. In the traditional television arena, WBTVG produces primetime, first-run, cable and animation series which are distributed worldwide. WBTVG is also an innovative leader in developing new business models for the evolving digital television marketplace, including ad-supported video-on-demand as well as broadband and wireless destinations featuring original content produced by WBTVG. The Group provides unmatched digital media sales opportunities tailored to clients seeking multiplatform campaigns across broadcast, cable, broadband and wireless outlets. Warner Bros. Entertainment is also a partner with CBS in The CW Television Network.
5 comments:
I think this really smart of WB teaming not only teaming up with one the best ceephone providers but also trying to find their niche in an emerging market. Personally I don't watch many internet videos because my only moblie internet device is my Nintendo DS but it sounds really neat.
It will be interesting to see how popular and how profitable this idea turns out to be. I don't actually have a portable internet device (other than a laptop) and I'm not sure I would pay $15 or even $3 for what will probably be sub-par programming.
I would also expect some kind of response or counter-program from either other cell phone service providers and/or television networks. Although, if ideas like this pan out and the technology becomes more accessible, perhaps the television will go the way of the newspaper? Or maybe not.
The mobile TV concept is a technology that I see more companies expanding in the near future. ESPN tried this out a few years ago with ESPN Mobile. They were unsuccessful the first time, but recently also partnered with the Verizon V-Cast to bring programming to the mobile phone.
I don't see the WB's mobile programming to be very successful, just because I don't think there will be much demand for it. With "Sorority Fever" being its premier program, I'm not sure how many people would pay to watch it. In fact, I don't think I'd watch it if I was paid to do so.
"Premiere" is this case refers to the debut of the program, it does not mean it is the best program that they offer.
I have unlimited everything on my cell phone, talk time, internet, messaging, and media. Even having this plan, I can't see myself taking the time out to watch the WB from my phone. It's just not that serious. If I'm not home in front of the TV, than there must be something I'm supposed to be doing that wont allow me to do so.
Post a Comment