Paramount bows Web series on MySpace
DIGITAL: Circle of Eight will later have exclusive Blockbuster rental run
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 10/27/2009
OCT. 27 | DIGITAL: Paramount Digital Entertainment will launch new Web series Circle of Eight at MySpace.com before rolling out the project as a rental exclusive at Blockbuster and Blockbuster On Demand.
Circle of Eight debuts today on MySpace as a three-episode series. Seven more episodes of the show, which tracks a woman’s supernatural experiences at a historic building, will be presented through Dec. 8. The series integrates social gaming and networking, with viewers able to post comments for others to see.
Mountain Dew partnered in the project as a sponsor, and the soda brand is heavily featured in the Circle of Eight plot line. Mountain Dew plans to widely promote Circle of Eight through theatrical and TV spots.
Adobe powered the technology behind Circle of Eight’s creation.
At an unspecified time after its MySpace run, Circle of Eight will be compressed into a full-length film, with additional scenes and an alternate ending, for exclusive Blockbuster rental distribution. The chain will offer the title in select Blockbuster stores, through its mail service as well as through its new VOD offering. No other sell-through or rental retailer will offer the product.
“Circle of Eight shows our ongoing commitment to launch studio-quality entertainment on digital platforms,” said Thomas Lesinski, president of Paramount Digital. “With strong, mutually beneficial relationships with brands such as MySpace, Mountain Dew, Adobe and Blockbuster, we can launch premium-quality content in the digital window and continue to monetize Circle of Eight on additional platforms, multiple windows and in international territories.”
Blockbuster executive VP/chief merchandising officer Bill Lee added, “We are thrilled to bring such an innovative entertainment experience to our customers. This is one more indication of Blockbuster’s continued commitment to deliver exclusive content to consumers on as many screens as possible, whether that’s through our stores, by mail or through our on-demand service.”
