Keep a close eye on Side Effects, a new original TV show from YouTube MCN AwesomenessTV, which launched this week on the video service. Aimed at teens, its first episode is 42 minutes, with high production values, and a musical focus with an array of cover versions. It’s essentially the new Glee, but born on YouTube rather than network television. “We are convinced that YouTube will become a new launching pad for long-form television style content, which is why we decided to debut a 42-minute version of Side Effects on AwesomenessTV,” says CEO Brian Robbins. “Side Effects combines YouTube stars and trends with television narrative and production values, which we believe will be the wave of the future, particularly for our teen/tween audience.” The show’s soundtrack, which includes covers of Titanium, C’Mon and Hot N Cold, has been released on iTunes too through a deal with Universal Music Group. AwesomenessTV – acquired by Hollywood studio DreamWorks earlier this year – has more than 25m subscribers on YouTube, and is attracting 65m monthly visitors, so Side Effects could pick up a big audience.
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Tools: Kaiber
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