MSN's Original Web Series Get Two Thumbs Up
Video is everywhere on MSN, and we're continuing to invest in original Video programming that the MSN fan base loves.
Originally posted on October 13, 2009
When you come to the MSN homepage, you’ll see a new Video Highlight every day that relates to the news and the hottest trends. And when you dive into the MSN network, you’ll find videos that are relevant to the topics that you care most about. For example, you can watch video workouts on MSN Health & Fitness to learn techniques and work up a sweat in the privacy of your own home. Or, you can get a sneak peek at the 2011 Bentley Mulsanne on MSN Autos because we post video from the major auto shows happening around the globe. Video is not just a destination anymore – it’s everywhere.
And not only is video everywhere on MSN, but we’re investing in several original Web series that the MSN fan base loves. Here are a few examples of the original videos that you can find exclusively on MSN:
You’ll laugh your way through this original Web series as you follow the lives of an online guild who call themselves "The Knights of Good." Right now, The Guild is in its seventh week of Season 3, and it has been a strong series since its launch. There are already 2.1 million streams this season, and fans are hanging out for more than 5 minutes every time they come to the site. The Guild is a collaboration with Xbox and Zune across ‘3 screens’, which means that you can 1) Watch it on your computer, 2) Download it on Xbox, or 3) Download it through Zune. We’ll be doing more cross-platform distribution in the coming months in order to provide an even better experience for content owners, advertisers, and our audience. Episode 7: Coping and Stuff just came out today, so check it out.
Have you ever heard about a big TV moment a day late and wished that you could turn back time, and turn on the tube? In the cases of Kanye upstaging Taylor Swift, David Letterman publically apologizing, and Kris Allen making a face when he beat Adam Lambert, it’s better to see it than to hearabout it. Each weekday, Last Night on TV leverages actual TV clips from the night before and packages them into a three minute recap narrated by a cheeky host. Last Night on TV launched three weeks ago, and already over 3 million video streams – more than a million streams per week – have been played. Keep checking back. Soon we’ll have guest stars and celebrities stopping by the show.
MSN Sports and Fox Sports make weekday lunches entertaining with Lunch with Benefits, an original Web series that shows original videos that tie into the theme of the day. Mondays are The After Party, where Jay Glazer reveals inside scoop and conducts interviews with the hottest players. On Tuesdays, you can tune in to Coach Speak and watch Super Bowl-winning head coach and NFL on FOX analyst Brian Billick talk strategy with current NFL coaches. On hump day, you can get college football like you've never seen it before on The College Experiment with host Josh Wolf. In Cubed on Thursdays, Michelle, Bernie, and Pizzi add spice to cubicle life with their irreverent takes and outlandish Internet finds. And on Friday, you can watch FOX NFL Sunday Executive Producer Scott Ackerson prepare for Sunday football action on Inside Call.
With the school year back in session, moms are looking for ways to help their children make the grade. Mom’s Homeroom is an original Web series resembling an early morning talk show that gives moms tips on how they can help their children shine in school. Four real world moms host the series, and moms around the country can follow the discussion of the day, read supporting articles, and share insight in the message boards. The Frosted Mini-Wheats brand is smartly integrated through the animated character “Mini”, who serves as a lively guide throughout the experience. With nearly 3 million videos played, moms are tuning in and getting a lot of out of the experience.
Stay tuned! More original Web series are coming soon. But in the meantime, here are a few more original Web series that might strike your interest.
Rolling,
Omer Khan
DIRECTOR, MSN VIDEO U.S.
