CBS, EQAL Collaborate on New Series

NEW YORK, January 14: CBS is working with lonelygirl15 creators EQAL for an online extension to the new midseason mystery series Harper’s Island, which premieres in April.

CBS and EQAL are set to launch Harper’s Globe at HarpersGlobe.com, featuring original content tied to the TV series’ story lines. In addition to being available on HarpersGlobe.com, all content will be accessible on CBS.com, CBS Mobile and across the CBS Audience Network. Harper’s Globe launches March 18, ahead of the April 9 premiere on the TV series. The show is about a group of family and friends who travel to a secluded island for a destination wedding. In every episode, someone is killed, with the murderer to be revealed at the end of the 13-part series.

"Harper’s Island is a really unique show, so I was thrilled when the network and the studio decided to break new ground and exploit all platforms of the show from the start," said Jon Turteltaub, the executive producer of the series. "Putting CBS Interactive together with EQAL gives the show an innovative and entertaining online presence a full three weeks before they launch the on-air program. The multiplatform, interactive elements at HarpersGlobe.com expand the whole experience of our show, which I feel is beyond necessary in the world of such rapidly changing media. We have to make our show an Internet event, as well as a broadcast TV event."

Quincy Smith, the CEO of CBS Interactive, added: "This commitment was the catalyst to our partnering with EQAL. As the creators of lonelygirl15 and KateModern they get that the web is a new medium. Harper’s Island represents ideal content to showcase on multiple platforms because of its potential to attract engaged audiences who want to make the show an event every day."

Miles Beckett, the CEO of EQAL, noted: "The best shows on television are those that leave you wanting more at the closing credits each week. With CBS we’re giving fans more. More characters, more plotlines and more ways than ever before to interact with a television show. By bringing together the unique elements of both mediums, we’re able to extend and amplify the Harper’s Island experience to engage fans in a whole new way."

CBS Interactive and EQAL have an ongoing partnership that was first clinched in May 2008. As part of the deal, EQAL will conceptualize, develop and produce online content related to CBS’s television series. In addition, EQAL acts as a consulting partner to CBS Interactive and provides the network with a first look at new multiplatform show concepts.

—By Mansha Daswani