TheWB.com, and a complementary site for children called KidsWB.com, are part of a new "digital strategy" by Warner Brothers Television Group (WBTVG). In the press release, Bruce Rosenblum, President, Warner Bros. Television Group, said:
"These destinations are perfect examples of our digital strategy to create targeted, niche destinations that present a fresh and compelling point of view to audiences. In much the same way TMZ has, these initiatives enable us to create new brands and reimagine existing ones for a multiplatform playing field. They are complementary to our thriving traditional business and share the same vision of original episodic storytelling."
TheWB.com will launch in beta next week and will show content from its defunct ancestor, like "Smallville," "Gilmore Girls", and shows from the Warner library (e.g., "Friends"). It will also feature new original series.
Meanwhile, KidsWB.com, which was previously known at T-Works, right now it features streaming video of WB properties and casual games. By the end of the year, however, KidsWB will include a virtual world that features classic Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbara and DC Comics characters as well as new characters created just for the site.
Thing is, this might be as successful as The WB network was - which isn't a compliment. Since Warner Bros. lacks its own TV network, and has sold its properties to companies, it won't be able to show its own properties on TheWB.com until after the other companies get first crack. Not something would seem to point to success for the new venture.
Example: even episodes of Gossip Girl, which first air on The CW (Warner Bros.' joint venture channel with CBS), will show online on CWTV.com before it reaches TheWB.com.
Source: Tech Ex
