AOL has announced a slate of original programming at its Digital Content NewFront in Brooklyn, featuring stars such as James Franco, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zoe Saldana, and Ellen DeGeneres.
The shows will span topics from family and comedy to business and technology, and will also include AOL’s first long-form series, “Connected.” AOL’s original shows will premiere throughout the year on The AOL On Network, the leading video network for premium, curated content on the Web.
In the new relationship with Nielsen, AOL’s 16 series will be measured with digital ratings in a beta test. The ratings will take an audience measurement of the shows and then deliver “gross ratings points” to show what type of people are watching the programs.
Additionally, Nielsen will measure associated advertising shown with AOL’s shows.
“We are fully committed to producing premium content at scale,” said Ran Harnevo, President of AOL Video. “Premium content is premium content, regardless of screen, delivery, length, or format, and as TV and digital continue to merge into one ecosystem, we will distribute these content experiences across all screens. ”
“This year’s slate continues to define AOL Originals as a premium showcase for authentic voices telling remarkable stories,” said Gabriel Lewis, head of AOL Originals. “We have a unique opportunity to produce and program a diverse range of content for the various audiences the AOL On Network reaches, and we’ve taken advantage of that opportunity. We also want to push the boundaries of what’s expected from AOL, and to create conversations around topics that resonate with digital audiences. We’re incredibly excited about the series showcased in this year’s slate of AOL Originals as well as the renewal of four shows from last year’s slate, and we’re looking forward to sharing them with both returning audiences and new ones.”
