How The Line Between Web Shows and TV Shows Has Blurred

The Digital Savant helps us keep up.
 

By Alain StephensJanuary 21, 2016 3:03 pm

The wide world of television continues to get even wider. Netflix recently declared that they will spend $5 billion this year to boost content. Much of that money will be dedicated to increasing production on original series, a practice that has been quite fruitful for the media streaming service. It’s also prompted other streaming outlets to follow suit by promoting their very own web series.

Keeping tabs on the blurring line between TV show and Web show is the digital savant of the Austin American-Statesman, Omar Gallaga.

Gallaga says the distinction between web series and television shows has more or less disappeared. Web series used to be shows with shorter episodes that lived on YouTube, often with a low budget.

“Now a web series can be ‘House of Cards,’ can be something big-budget, big stars, huge audience,” he says. “It’s going both ways. You’re having traditional TV shows moving to the web… and then you have shows that started on the web and are moving to television.”

What you’ll hear in this segment:

– What shows have made the switch

– The advantages of each medium and how it can shape the show

– Whether we’re reaching entertainment overload