Broadband Content Bits: iVillage UK-FremantleMedia; Comcast-DNCC; 60Frames-Oni; MTVN Logo
This story was written by Amanda Natividad.
-- iVillage UK and FremantleMedia launching online comedy-drama for moms: Called Parentshood, the 12-week series will tell the story of five parents through a mix of short-form video blogs, written blogs, photos and message boards, according to Variety. Fremantle plans to launch the format internationally to ramp up online activity at 18-month-old FMX and its larger production divisions, UK's Talkback Thames, Germany's Ufa Film & TV and FremantleMedia North America. Another UK video project currently in the works is reality series, LoveRace, from Warwick Worldwide and will be distributed by U.S. video sharing site Heavy.com and music site UR Fantastic.
-- *Comcast* streaming Democrats Spanish: Attempting to reach the online Spanish-speaking community, the Democratic National Convention Committee has a deal with Comcast (NSDQ: CMCSA) to stream live online coverage of events and other on-demand convention content in Spanish as well as English. Starting Aug 25 ,users can view highlights, key speeches, and other Spanish-language content from each night of the party's convention on DemConvention.com. Comcast will also edit, manage and archive the coverage for cable TV and global satellite uplink. Release.
-- 60Frames and Oni creating print and Web-based comic books: Video distributor 60Frames and indie comic book publisher Oni Press have teamed up to create original print and Web-based comicbooks, Variety reports. The first titlescop drama Men With Guns: Assassin from Tom Fontana and sci-fi-themed Arkwill launch simultaneously in print and as an online series next year. Aside from the new webisodes, which will feature a combination of live action and CGI, 60Frames will create other online series based on several of Oni Press' upcoming and existing titles.
-- MTVN (NYSE: VIA) Logo group launching "The Pride Guide": MTV Networks' Logo division rolls out gay pride-themed site, "The Pride Guide," offering video, event guides, photo flipbooks and programming rosters, says TVWeek. The launch will be in conjunction with Logo's weekend of pride-themed TV programming, "Pride Party Weekend," set to air June 27-29. The ad-supported site has Southwest Airlines and NYC & Company as its sponsors.
By Amanda Natividad