AfterDawn: News

WB is resurrected as online video network

The Warner Bros. Television Group is set to resurrect its now defunct WB network as an online video site that will offer reruns of past popular shows such as "Friends" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," among others. The site will also offer new original programming.

TheWB.com will target 16-to-34-year-old viewers and the new shows will be written and produced by Josh Schwartz, best known for "Gossip Girl" and the "The O.C."



The launch follows an industry trend, as media companies are having growing issues with attracting younger viewers who would rather spend time texting on cell phones or watching videos online at their own leisure. A prime example would be Schwartz's "Gossip Girl," which has generated low ratings for the CW network but has a strong loyal online audience.

In a somewhat strange move, the CW Network has recently pulled the show from online in an effort to boost TV viewer ship.

Schwartz is also currently developing a new show for TheWB.com that "takes viewers to the front of the line and behind the soundboard of a fictional Hollywood rock club," added Warner Bros.

TheWb.com will be distributed Fancast.com and will also be available on AOL video.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Apr 2008 19:15

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• 3 comments

• Gradical

  bring on the oldies and you´ll get me hooked 1 thing only, NO GEOGRAPHIC RESTRICTIONS!!!!!!

  28.4.2008 22:50 #1

• atomicxl

  They should offer HD downloads of shows that are shot in HD. If I like the show, I don't have any issue paying for a quality HD download rather than a a crappy youtube quality stream for free.

  29.4.2008 17:02 #2

• fancast

  Hi, thanks for the mention of Fancast.com and just to clarify = there are absolutely no geographic restrictions to use our site. Just get on it and watch any of the TV shows or movies, all totally free. We think it's a great resource for you and your readers. Check out the really astounding list of TV shows up on the site at http://www.fancast.com/full_episodes
  There's also some great movies playing (eg. "Fever Pitch" with Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon) and, again, all free.
  Cheers,
  Jim (for Fancast)

  2.5.2008 00:30 #3