The explosion of the power and popularity of the Internet continues to attract major media companies, particularly television networks. They aren't just using the Internet to promote their programming either. Some are even starting to broadcst programs over the Internet as well. Beginning on February 26th the SHOWTIME Cable Network did just that.
WHIRLGIRL, a web-based animated science fiction series, is SHOWTIME'S first original web-based series. It tells the story of Kia Cross (WHIRLGIRL), a sassy 20-something superheroine that, according the press release is, "fighting to save the world from an evil media-tech empire."
WHIRLGIRL originally appreared on the Web in the summer of 1997 as a comic-strip-like series with a dozen or so animated panels at a time. It was produced by VISIONARY MEDIA LLC, a New-York based company specializing in Internet entertainment. SHOWTIME acquired the rights to WHIRLGIRL earlier this year.
Says Jeff Morris, SHOWTIME'S Senior Vice President, New Media and Technology Development, "We recognized WHIRLGIRL'S potential, and we wanted to dedicate the time and resources to develop it into a full-fledged Web series."
SHOWTIME kicked-off WHIRLGIRL with a simulcast broadcast of the first episode over the internet and on their cable channel. They hope this strategy will maximize viewer interest and ratings. Added Morris: "SHOWTIME is committed to bringing our viewers quality and original programming both on-air and on the Web."
The series is definitely taking a light-hearted approach. A SHWOTIME press release describes the plot of WHILGIRL as follows:
"Once upon a time, Kia was an average girl with a mind-numbing job and a standard-issue corporate appointed boyfriend. But that was before her company-sponsored brain drain wore off. Now Kia uses her extrordinary strength, brilliant mind, gritty determination and the ability to look fantastic in tight leather to battle against oppression with her friends."
Her friends include Sketatta, a rebel and wespons expert, and Sid, the runaway son of an evil dictator. They join forces with an underground resistance movement called the Helicons. Together they try to stop the influence of ZoneWerks, an oppressive media-tech mega-corporation that conrol's the world's media, commerce and communications.
