Warner Bros. announced Monday that it will revive its WB brand online, as TheWB.com.
The “digital network,” which launches in beta next month, will air shows that once appeared on the broadcast network, such as Smallville and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and new content created specially for the site.
Warner also is launching KidsWB.com, which will feature a mix of classic Looney Tunes segments, original short-form cartoons, and games.
Original content on TheWB.com will include the thrillers Exposed and Lockdown.
The WB television network broadcast from 1995 to 2006, when it merged with UPN to form the CW. Kids’ WB ends this spring, after which the CW will outsource its Saturday-morning programming block to 4Kids.
Sounds interesting. There’s quite a number of these VOD services starting to crop up, so it will be worth watching to see which ones survive and which ones fall by the wayside.
Comment by Luke — April 29, 2008 @ 9:51 am
Sounds like a good idea. I just hope it’s international friendly. There’s been times when I’ve missed an episode of a series and wanted to view the episode online and catch up, only to be told I can’t because I’m a Canuck. But if it’s international, I’ll definitely give some of these a try.
Comment by Andy EN — April 29, 2008 @ 10:15 am
That is a great idea. I am really happy to hear this, I hope it opens the door for more interesting programming
Comment by Christopher Shields — April 29, 2008 @ 10:58 am
Hi Kevin,
Any word if t-works.com will still launch?
Comment by J — April 29, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
T-works.com IS KidsWB.com.
According to TV Week, Kids WB will premiere original series based on The Wizard of Oz and Plastic Man as well.
But yeah, it seems pretty good. But if you’re on a 56K modem, you’re SOOL.
Comment by Jeff Harris — April 29, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
I wonder if they’ll stream the new Spectacular Spider-Man series?
Comment by Shawn — April 29, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
The World’s Finest has the press release for the new Kids’WB! (formally T-Works):
http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=140
Comment by James Harvey — April 29, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
I didn’t see in the Variety article any mention of Buffy. One Tree Hill and Buffy are different cases, with Buffy being a show that has been off the air for years and was also on UPN, whereas One Tree Hill is still on the WB’s current incarnation. I’m not sure if they’ll get the rights to WB classics like Buffy, Gilmore Girls, and Felicity.
Comment by Eric — April 29, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
Buffy and Felicity were not produced by Warners. It’s unlikely they would be on the site. Buffy, being a Fox show, would probably be on Hulu.com. Felicity was from Disney.
Comment by Mylar Lad — April 29, 2008 @ 6:31 pm
The New York Times mentions Buffy specifically.
Comment by Kevin Melrose — April 29, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
It’s already on Hulu.
Comment by Mylar Lad — April 29, 2008 @ 7:17 pm