FORT LAUDERDALE — Original commissions have become the creative differentiators for video-on-demand platforms. TV aggregator Hulu is taking a range of new programming to the upcoming April/May NewFronts, a week when platforms try to secure upfront ad bookings.
“One of our better shows is The Awesomes, an animated series by Seth Myers,” Hulu ad sales SVP Peter Naylor tells Beet.TV. “But, to be candid, it’s a modest-sized show if you compare it with (Netflix’s) House Of Cards or Orange Is The New Black.
“We know we need an original that really can crystallise the brand in the hearts of viewers. We’re taking big swings. We’re going to be taking our originals to the next level.”
Naylor spotlighted four originals in production:
- “11/22/63,” a nine-hour adaptation of Stephen King’s time-travel novel about the Kennedy assassination, produced by J.J. Abrams. Naylor: “Right there, we’re going big.”
- “Difficult People“, a 30-minute comedy starring comedian Billy Eichner.
- “Casual People“, a 30-minute comedy starring Jason Reitman.
- A series starring Freddie Wong, the brains behind YouTube series “Video Game High School”. Naylor: “Everyone’s looking at the YouTube talent pool and we’re not immune to it.”
Naylor was interviewed at Beet.TV’s executive retreat by Beet.TV executive producer Andy Plesser.
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