By : Billy Gil | Posted: 14 Sep 2009
bgil@questex.com

Stars such as Keanu Reeves and Hilary Duff increasingly support online TV, producing and starring in their own series, according to a report from digital entertainment research firm Futurescape.

The second edition of its report “The Birth of Online TV” identifies three trends in Web TV: more stars are launching series, often times with a sponsorship; business models are emerging, such as digital download sales, brand sponsorship, commissions from Web sites and partnering with games consoles; and Web shows will increasingly make an impact in the entertainment industry as a whole.

“In the 15 months since the first edition of our report ‘The Birth of Online TV,’ Web shows have progressed from experimental projects to become creatively and commercially successful productions in their own right,” said Futurescape co-founder Özlem Tunçil. “Web TV offers a new, more-interactive medium for stars to reach fans.”

Notable Web TV productions include Keanu Reeves’ “Spärhusen,” a musical comedy about an ABBA-style band; Candace Bushnell’s (creator of “Sex and the City”) business comedy “The Broadroom,” sponsored by Maybelline; Hilary Duff’s YouTube series “The Chase”; Lisa Kudrow’s “Therapy,” sponsored by Toyota’s Lexus; and Joss Whedon’s (creator “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” creator) comedy musical “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,” downloadable through iTunes.

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