Writers launch online TV network

from the hollywood reporter

Writers set slate for Strike.tv
TV, film scribes formed network during strike
By Andrew Wallenstein

An online network formed by professional TV and film scribes during
the writer's strike unveiled a slate Wednesday featuring contributions
from the minds behind the likes of "The Office" and "Die Hard."

Strike.tv plans to launch this summer with more than 40 shortform
programs, including comedies, dramas and a game show. Some programs
will be serialized while others will be standalone; the site has yet
to secure advertising.

Participating writers include Lester Lewis ("The Office"), Rob Kutner
("The Daily Show With Jon Stewart"), Stephen E. de Souza ("Die Hard"),
Karen Harris ("General Hospital") and Ron Corcillo ("Malcolm in the
Middle").

The impetus for the online network came from writers who wanted to
generate revenue for out-of-work colleagues. To that end, Strike.TV
pledges to donate the first three months of ad revenue to the
Entertainment Assistance Program of the Actors Fund.

However, Strike.tv is also intended to become a profitable venture in
its own right, allowing participating writers to own their
intellectual property. Its creators also anticipate it could be an
alternative to the studio system as well as a breeding ground for
programming that studios could co-opt.

Strike.tv has also attracted talent including Bob Newhart, Timothy
Dalton and "Saturday Night Live's" Kristen Wiig.
.

Relevant Pages

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  • NBC in talks to grab "Quarterlife" from MySpace
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  • Re: Writers see little progress in talks
    ... Comedy writers find dark humor in strike ... say Nash and the others. ... A key issue in the dispute between the studios and the striking ...
    (alt.fan.letterman)