NBCU Sets ‘SeeSo’ Comedy Subscription VOD Channel Launch

Seeso will launch an invite-only beta version in December-viewers can sign up on the site’s page for the trail-and then fully launch in January.

NBC confirmed earlier this year that it planned to create a a Web-based subscription comedy service and that has now become a reality.

The service, which had been reported to be in the works for a few time, also includes a number of features designed for the over-the-top streaming audience it aims to attract, like an “autoplay function and a “hunt while you watch” feature that let you watch video while looking for what to watch next”. Since prices for such services range from a few dollars per month up to $14.99 for HBO’s Now, users must pick and choose their favorites if they plan to cut the cord.

He said it will “complement”, not replace, existing sites like Hulu (which NBC co-owns) and Netflix and the traditional cable television bundle (which is NBC’s lifeblood).

If there was one takeaway from SeeSo’s big debut it’s that NBCU doesn’t want you to think of this as a streaming service, but rather as a channel that happens to distribute content on digital rather than linear platforms. Viewers will have access to a raft of daily content including the next day clips from NBC’s late night slate, original comedy clips, select episodes from the NBC comedy library, and first episodes of all new original series.

“People instead of machines programming channels”, said Shapiro. It will include stand-up comedy, original scripted series, live events, and NBC fare like “Saturday Night Live”, and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”.

At a New York press conference, NBCUniversal executive Evan Shapiro told Variety’s Todd Spangler that “The big niche we’re focusing on is comedy”. It will offer subscribers comedy programming, updated with new content each day, additional episodes of exclusives each week and fresh live-streamed stand-up every month.

In the first year, Seeso will include more than 20 exclusive, original series from comedy heavyweights including Dan Harmon, Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh and more. Broadway Video’s digital content studio Above Average will produce a pair of series in workplace comedy Thingstarter and dating game improve show Dave & Ethan: Lovemakers.