Blip Opens Blip Studios, Will Create Original Web Series
In February, online video network Blip changed its name from Blip.tv, and yesterday it announced an even bigger change: Blip is opening Blip Studios and will create original web series in-house. Blip made the announcement at VidCon in Anaheim, California.
This is a big change for the network, which previously worked only with independent web show creators to highlight, distribute, and monetize their works. Running the studio is Steve Woolf, who's trading his vice president of content title for senior vice president of content and president of Blip Studios.
The in-house team will focus on key genres for viewers and advertisers: comedy, sci-fi, sports, and drama. According to Woolf, Blip will also step into the rapidly-growing area of branded entertainment, where online series are made in partnership with sponsoring brands. In addition, Blip will create shows that will live on other platforms:
"The third component of Blip Studios in called Strategic Originals," said Woolf in an interview with Beet.tv. "That's where we're working with partners that have really large audience, but no original video strategy. So, we're going to work with them to develop shows for their audiences on their platform in a Blip player, and then we'll wrap some additional Blip programming around that and basically deliver to them a turnkey video strategy."
Blip also announced that it has signed exclusive talent and distribution agreements with an unspecified number of independent production companies to carry their shows. The deal includes "Nostalgia Critic," "Nostalgia Chick," and "Todd in the Shadows."
Scroll down to view the entire interview with Steve Woolf (used courtesy of Beet.TV.)
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