New On-Line Network Launches

[John]

The SFN Online Television Network Launches With A Slate Of Original Web Series

2

The SFN Online Television Network Launches With A Slate Of Original Web Series

Online pioneers and television veterans St. John & Fisher showcasing the web’s brightest creators on new web net

LOS ANGELES, CA, Dec 5, 2011 – Stewart St. John and Todd Fisher, television industry veterans and online content pioneers, announced today the launch of The SFN —

http://www.sfntv.com

— an online television network featuring some of the best original series on the web.

“The SFN is a destination place for original online web series created in-house as well as independently produced shows we’ve selected from leading-edge creators in the web and television community,” said SFN co-founder St. John. “Todd (Fisher) and I have been actively creating content in the online space since the mid-90s and are passionate about the community. Community being the key word.”

“We’ve seen huge companies come and go, with millions of dollars going down the drain because they didn’t — and still don’t — understand the space,” added Fisher. “The web is its own beast. It’s not TV, it’s not the movies, it’s not radio — it’s the web and it has its own set of rules. The first being that supporting each others creative endeavors is paramount to building a presence because it’s about connecting with each other.”

The SFN has embraced some of the most prolific creators on the web, including Michael Caruso (creator and star of the hit web soap DeVanity), Julie Smith (creator and writer of comedy series Fumbling Thru The Pieces), Tim Baldwin & John Jackson (creators of the award-winning sci-fi series AIDAN 5) and soon to include Barry Dodd (creator of the Dark Shadows-esque Ragged Isle) and Indie Intertube’s April Grant and Amanda Shockley — themselves veterans of the online world.

“They’re the real stars of The SFN,” said St. John. “Our network was built to support the best of the best, to create a place that gives them — and visitors — a family feel like you’d find on a cable network, only its on the web. It’s about respecting this space and raising the bar.”

“The content creators on our network mean business,” added Fisher. “For instance, Alana Stewart, Robin Riker and daytime soap hunk Kyle Lowder are just some of the upcoming guest stars on DeVanity, the water-cooler web soap beginning its second season on The SFN in January with a special trailer set to debut on launch day. This is really exciting stuff that we’re very proud of.”

St. John and Fisher know something about creating content for the internet. They witnessed first-hand the launch of American Cybercast, the fledgling online television network created in 1995 by advertising firm Fatall & Collins. St. John was brought on to American Cybercast by television soap writer Sheri Anderson Thomas who hired him as head writer and eventually executive producer of the ground-breaking interet soap The Spot. In 2003, St. John and Fisher revived The Spot for a new generation of web heads, and simultaneously created a mobile version for Sprint, cross-platforming storylines between the web and cell. They also co-created the first half-hour scripted online series, California Heaven, originally intended to run as original programming on AOL.

“When we were doing it there wasn’t even YouTube or Facebook,” said Fisher. “With broadband available in at least 65 percent of U.S. homes and with the proliferation of so many Internet, DVRs and wireless devices now, we believe the time is right to launch a network like The SFN.”

St. John & Fisher are meeting with investors and advertisers who want to be part of helping to expand the network. “The plan is to move into more original programming at a fraction of the costs of producing a television series,” said St. John. “We want The SFN to be an incubator and distributor of awesome ideas, concepts and content for the next generation.”

About The SFN

http://www.sfntv.com

The SFN (the St. John-Fisher Entertainment Network) is an online television network. It is part of The St. John-Fisher Company, an independent media, publishing and production company founded by entertainment industry veterans Stewart St. John and Todd Fisher. Along with success as writer/producers in television, film and new media, the company’s television and online divisions have numerous shows in development.

[DRW50]

Thanks for showing us that.

That "Web Worth Watching" seems a little dated. About ten years.

[Khan]

Well, at least they tried.

(I'm gonna keep saying that 'til someone produces a web series that doesn't suck.)

[Toups]

Posted here: http://boards.soapoperanetwork.com/topic/43359-the-future-of-web-based-tv-is-here/