ABC is boosting its digital-exclusive originals lineup with four new short-form series available for free on its apps and website, including a sitcom from YouTube actress-comedian Lisa Schwartz.
The four new ABCd originals — arriving before the fall TV season kicks in — come after the network relaunched its free streaming services in July. That was anchored by seven short-form series, available only online, including shows starring Ty Burrell and Iliza Shlesinger. In addition, ABC added full seasons of 38 older shows from its library like “Ugly Betty,” “Sports Night” and “My So-Called Life.” ABC’s goal: to grab more ad bucks from digital video by pitching programming to millennial audiences, as viewing in the demo continues to grow on mobile and online platforms (and decline on traditional TV).
The new short-form series, which go live Friday on the ABC apps for web, mobile and connected TV devices, are:
“This Isn’t Working”: From Lisa Schwartz (pictured above), known on YouTube as “lisbug,” where she has 2 million followers. She stars as Sarah Turner, an aspiring actress with a negative bank-account balance, taking on an endless stream of embarrassing part-time jobs to make ends meet. Schwartz co-produced and wrote the series with Sean Kearney, who both executive produce along with Disney’s Maker Studios and Chris Hanada and Tanner Kling of Retrofit.
“What to Text Him Back”: Relationship expert Matthew Hussey, best-selling author of “Get The Guy,” breaks down dating protocol in the digital age.
Tastemade’s “Farm to Plate”: Aussie chef Guy Turland explores the foraging phenomenon, trekking over land and sea to find the freshest local ingredients.
“She Talks”: Docu-series profiles women entrepreneurs who share their stories about sacrifice and success after striking out on their own, including Alli Webb, founder of DryBar; Wendi Levy and Kim Etheridge, co founders of Mixed Chicks; Chelsea Shukov and Jamie Grobecker, co-founders of Sugar Paper; and Zhena Muzyka, founder of Zhena’s Gypsy Tea.
In addition, a new episode of music-performance series “On The Record” is also available featuring Muslim R&B star Yuna.
And on Sept. 15, ABC will debut interview series “A Little of Your Time With Quinn Marcus,” in conjunction with Marcus’ role as the official social-media correspondent for the 2016 Primetime Emmys. Marcus is best known for MTV’s “Girl Code” and MTVu’s “Quinnterviews.”
As before, ABC also provides free, full episodes to primetime shows on ABC.com and its apps. Those include “Dancing with the Stars,” “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Modern Family,” “Quantico,” “Shark Tank” and “Scandal.” Additionally, subscribers of participating pay-TV providers have access to live streams of local TV stations in 20 U.S. markets as well as the most recent episodes of ABC series and news programs the day after they air.
