The first digital newfront season concludes 5/2, and ahead of its presentation, Google’s YouTube announced details of its newfront ahead of the actual event, dubbed “Brandcast.” In addition to the 100 niche channels the company has already launched, YouTube says it will host 25 hours of new original content each day by the end of July.
YouTube channel WIGS (which stands for “Where it gets spicy”) will premiere 5/4, offering scripted dramatic series and documentaries targeted at women. The channel is created by filmmakers Jon Avnet and Rodrigo Garcia. Three series will feature such stars as Virginia Madsen, Stephen Moyer, Caitlin Gerard, Jennifer Garner, Alfred Molina and Julia Stiles.
YouTube also launched TeamUSA, created by the US Olympic Committee. Sponsored by AT&T, the channel offers clips of 2012 athletes, past Olympians, instruction from Olympic sport coaches and historical Olympics footage.
Tribeca Enterprises, which produces the Tribeca Film Festival, will launch a channel called “The Picture Show” this fall.
Machinima will offer a live action series that leads into the events of Halo 4, also coming in the fall.
At its newfront, YouTube is releasing results from a study of online video viewing and sharing habits, “Generation V” (with V likely standing for Video). Among the findings are the 18-34 Male demo now watch more streaming video than live TV, and one-third of them visit YouTube multiple times per day.
