Global InformationWeb series information
A web series (also known as webseries, short-form series, and web show) is a series of short scripted or non-scripted online videos, generally in episodic form, released on the Internet (i.e. World Wide Web),[1][2] which first emerged in the late 1990s and became more prominent in the early 2000s. A single instance of a web series program can be called an episode or a webisode. The scale of a web series is small and a typical episode can be anywhere from three to fifteen minutes in length.[3][4] Web series are distributed online on video sharing websites and apps, such as YouTube and Vimeo,[3] and can be watched on devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and Internet-connected television sets. They can also be released on social media platforms.[5] Because of the nature of the Internet, a web series may be interactive.[6] Web series are classified as new media.
Web series are different from streaming television series, as the latter is purposed to be watched on streaming platforms such as Hotstar, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video[7][8] (though the term is occasionally used to refer to streaming television[9]). Although the designing of a web series can be similar to that of a television series their development and production does not entail the same financial investment required for a television series.[3][a] The popularity of some web series, however, have led to them being optioned for television.[3][12][13]
As of 2021,[update] a number of awards have been established to celebrate excellence in web series, like the Streamys, Webbys, IAWTV, and Indie Series Awards, although the Streamys and IAWTV also cover programs on streaming platforms. Most major award ceremonies have also created web series and digital media award categories, including the Emmy Awards[14][4][15] and the Canadian Screen Awards. There are also several web series festivals, most notably in Los Angeles and Vancouver.[16][17]
- ^ Jadidi, Rime El (September 5, 2023). "The Rise of Short Form Series". Canada Media Fund. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
Today, many consider the term "webseries" to be outdated and instead use "short form series".
- ^ "Development and Short-Form Digital Series Guidelines" (PDF). Bell Fund. October 2017. p. 4. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
This programming is sometimes referred to as "short-form or web series".
- ^ a b c d Moreau, Elise (September 10, 2020). "What Is a Web Series? Are They Worth Watching?". Lifewire. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Dornbush, Jonathon (March 2, 2016). "New Emmy rules allow for Short Form categories". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Rosenblatt, Kalhan (November 17, 2023). "An Adam McKay-backed short-form series quietly debuted on social media platforms. Will it pick up an audience?". NBC News. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ K, Balakumar (July 28, 2021). "Flipkart Video hopes to make a splash with interactive web series". TechRadar. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ "What Is Streaming TV, and How Does It Work?". Insider. DirecTV. March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "What is streaming TV?". CenturyLink. 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (June 5, 2023). "'Sacred Games', 'Mirzapur', 'Scam 1992' Top IMDb's 50 All-Time Most Popular Indian Streaming Series List (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ Horton, Adrian (May 14, 2019). "Fifteen minutes of prestige: how Hollywood went long on short content". The Guardian. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Steinberg, Brian; Thorne, Will (October 21, 2020). "Quibi's Demise Spurs Hand-Wringing for TV Partners". Variety. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Christian, Aymar Jean (February 25, 2014). "How Does A Web Series Jump to TV?". IndieWire. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ McQuirter, Rose (October 2, 2022). "Best Shows That Began as Web Series". MovieWeb. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ Birnbaum, Debra (March 2, 2016). "Emmy Awards Unveil Rule Changes, New Short-Form Categories For 2016 Race". Variety. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
Series must have a minimum of six episodes with an average length of 15 minutes or less, and be shown on traditional TV or via the Internet.
- ^ Lindsay, Benjamin (November 7, 2019). "Emmy Awards Now Honoring Web Series Actors". Backstage. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Festivals and Award Ceremonies for Canadian Webseries". Canada Media Fund. January 24, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Peskine, Adrien (February 9, 2015). "12 Must Attend Events for Web Series Creators". Raindance Film Festival. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
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