At the turn of the new year, I wrote in a headline that we should expect more broadcast-quality original video this year.
Proving me right (love it when that happens), Hulu's original Web series "Spoilers with Kevin Smith" has been picked up for over-the-air broadcast in Canada, further evidence of how the production chain is changing in unexpected ways. This isn't the first time a Web show got picked up by broadcast or cable, but it is a first for the streaming service.
Showtime picked up "Web Therapy" starring Lisa Kudrow after the show won a Webby. Revision3 snagged "Epic Meal Time" after it proved itself worthy of viewers' attention. SyFy liked what it saw with "Sanctuary," which premiered on TV to an audience of more than 3 million. In Germany, ProSiebenSat1 debuts its shows first online before they make their way to a traditional broadcast.
For Hulu, taking its show to TV has big implications. Since it's an original series, it got the exclusive rights online. Furthermore, it pockets syndication fees from Canada's SPACE channel, as well as fees for selling access to the content for the channel's Spacecast.com.
Unlike other Web shows that made their way to TV, "Spoilers with Kevin Smith," a lighthearted Rodgers and Hammerstein-like show, will air as is — no revamping or makeover needed, ReelSEO adds.
This is new, TV is not trying to shoehorn a show to fit their format but rather are taking the show as is and using it, because it's already well-made and establishing a track record.
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