E! is normally known for its linear television programming, but the cable network is expanding into online content. Starting November 15, 2015, E! will release eight new digital series across genres like entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle. Additionally, the pop culture and entertainment cable network will re-launch its E! News YouTube channel in December 2015.
According to a release, E!’s new series will help contribute to the growing success of the network’s digital platforms, which currently boast 35 million unique monthly visits (a 20% growth year-over-year). E!’s new slate of original digital content includes The Royal Hangover, a post-show livestream set for a November 15 release and based on the network’s hit TV series The Royals. E! will also debut its first-ever scripted comedy dubbed Hashtaggers, an eight-episode series about a dysfunctional group of celebrity ghost tweeters whose tweets generate scandalous consequences across the entertainment industry.
Here’s a complete list of all the new E! digital series:
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Glam Squad (working title): Produced by Rec Room, Glam Squad takes a comedic look at what it means to be in the inner, INNER circle in Hollywood.
TV Scoop companion series (working title): E! Online’s TV Scoop team will cover the best, most popular buzz-worthy moments around television’s biggest shows in addition to providing a new fresh take on the conversation springing up in social media.
Ranked: Launching in December, Ranked is E! Online’s unique spin on the ‘Top 10 List’ countdown. This is the definitive list of all things in pop culture. If there’s a debate in the zeitgeist, we’ll settle it.
Fashion Bloggers (working title): Produced by Rec Room, Fashion Bloggers follows emerging superstars in the fashion world that make their living as Instagram influencers, street style photographers, and Tumblr celebrities, carving out their place amongst the couture elite.
Three to Be: In this weekly digital series E!’s style experts will show viewers how it takes just three stylish pieces to be the celebrity you want to be.
Random Fandom: This series takes viewers deep into the world of loving someone or something so much there’s an actual name for it. This digital anthology documents the best, craziest, and most committed fan communities from entertainment’s past, present, and future.
All of E!’s new digital series will be available on the brand’s YouTube channel, which will re-launch in December and have more original content available than before. The eight new E! series will also be available via E! Online, the E! Online app, and popular social platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. The digital series will be formatted specifically for an optimal viewing experience for each platform’s audiences.
“With this new slate, we are developing and producing more original digital video content than ever before, and it has been exciting to collaborate with the creative community as we bring to life original programming that hits E!’s pop culture sweet spot,” said John Najarian, EVP and GM of E! News and Digital. “By modifying the content to reflect the unique characteristics of each platform, we are delivering these shows directly to viewers through the digital channel they prefer and reinforcing our position as a truly multi-platform brand for our young adult audience. Plus, E! is a uniquely nimble on-air network with topical programming that allows us the opportunity to extend our digital franchises to our TV audience in a variety of ways.”
E! is already familiar with the power behind online video and its influencers in ways both good and bad. In August 2014, the cable network announced it would launch a linear talk show with host and YouTube star Grace Helbig, The Grace Helbig Show debuted on April 3, 2015. But since then, E! has throw some questionable shade at Helbig and other YouTube stars. The cable network posted an article questioning the celebrity status of stars like PewDiePie, Joey Graceffa, and other honorees of the 2015 Teen Choice Awards. The cable network also posted a tweet that seemed to insult Helbig’s talk show, which caused YouTube superstars like Connor Franta and Hank Green to call out E! on its lack of support and understanding of the online video world.
You can catch all the new E! digital series on the cable network’s dedicated YouTube channel.
