NBCU Makes Digital Programming Push

NEW YORK: NBCUniversal has embarked on an original video programming initiative for digital platforms and VOD.

The programming will be promoted across the company's bouquet of TV networks and featured on its digital platforms as well as on VOD. The content will debut first on digital, including channel websites, Hulu and VOD. The initiative is designed to connect advertising brands with consumers. In many cases, the digital series will be developed in direct collaboration with advertising partners.

Universal Cable Productions (UCP) will unveil more than a dozen scalable, original digital video projects, including new series Tesla and Twain and Last Single Girl. UCP is also developing additional original series in collaboration with 72 and Sunny Productions. The first series from Universal Television to launch on NBC.com will be Saturday Night Line, in conjunction with Broadway Video’s Above Average Productions, and a Heroes Reborn: Digital Series from executive producer Tim Kring’s Tailwind Productions.

“This original, digital-first programming, scaled with the unmatched resources of our company and our production partners, underscores the unparalleled opportunities we can create,” said Linda Yaccarino, the president of advertising sales at NBCUniversal. “The combination of digital video alongside television content is extremely powerful and becoming an increasingly important part of the connection advertisers make with consumers. We want to offer our partners the unique ability to harness the power of our creative assets along with our distribution capabilities including the video-on-demand platform like no other company can do.”

“Much of the uncaptured value in the online world can be unlocked with smart collaborations between creators and clients. This year, we’re making a big push to building that bridge,” said Jeff Wachtel, the president and chief content officer at NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment.

“It’s exciting to bring original content to the forefront on all of our digital platforms,” added Robert Hayes, the executive VP of digital media at NBC Entertainment. “We are lucky to once again be in business with some of the top producers in Hollywood making new content to further engage fans.”