NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises has announced the debut of comedy streaming service Seeso in January, 2016.
Seeso will be an ad-free, subscription servie that will stream original and classic material as well as stand up specials. Some of the top names in comedy – Dan Harmon, Wyatt Cenac, Upright Citizens Brigade and Cameron Esposito among them – will be featured.
Classic shows like Monty Python’s Flying Circus will be joined by NBC’s late night shows, The Kids in the Hall and more. Follow the jump for details.
‘SEESO,’ A NEW STREAMING COMEDY CHANNEL DEBUTS IN JANUARY
The Ad-Free Subscription Service from NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises Offers Original and Library TV and Film Content for $3.99 a Month
Seeso Will Feature 52 Weeks of Exclusive, Original Series and Stand-Up, From Dan Harmon, Upright Citizens Brigade, Cameron Esposito, Wyatt Cenac and Other Comic Illuminati Plus Curated Content Including NBC Late Night Shows, “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” “The Kids in the Hall,” The US and UK Versions of “The Office” and More
NEW YORK – October 15, 2015 – NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises today unveiled Seeso, a new streaming comedy channel, the first of its kind offering from NBCUniversal. Set to debut in January 2016, the ad-free subscription service will be available at www.seeso.com and on streaming platforms, connected devices and other distribution partners for $3.99 per month.
Seeso strives to combine the immediacy of TV viewing with the best in OTT technology, creating a unique user experience. The streaming channel will offer a variety of SVOD innovations, including an autoplay function which provides immediate viewing satisfaction. Additionally, a hunt while you watch function will allow viewers to continue watching while they look for what to watch next; and the free-forever front porch, which enables viewers to enjoy a subset of Seeso content – no credit card required – by entering only an email address.
“Big streaming services have created a paradox of choice – they’re great if you know exactly what to watch, but if you aren’t in the middle of a binge, the search can be near endless,” said Evan Shapiro, Executive Vice President of NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises. “By focusing on a specific, yet large niche, and providing a curated experience, we can help viewsers find good stuff they might not or cannot find. Seeso is your neighborhood comedy eatery, with daily specials from a chef you trust.”
Targeting comedy super fans, Seeso will offer subscribers a stream of comedy programming updated with new content every day, new episodes of exclusive, original comedy each and every week, live-streamed stand-up every month, and curated acquired series and films throughout the year. Additionally, Seeso staff and guest comedy nerds will handpick on demand playlists of recommended content each month.
Seeso will feature weekly programming including more than 20 exclusive, original series from comedy illuminati in the first year. Original shows include “HarmonQuest,” a comedy epic, combining live action and animation from “Community” and “Rick and Morty” creator Dan Harmon; “The UCB Show” from hosts, creators, and Upright Citizens Brigade founders Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh, Ian Roberts and Matt Besser; reality show spoof “Bajillion Dollar Propertie$” from executive producers Scott Aukerman, Ben Garant, Tom Lennon and Kulap Vilaysack; workplace comedy “Thingstarter,” and dating game improv show “Dave & Ethan: Lovemakers,” both from Broadway Video’s Above Average Productions; stand-up series “Night Train with Wyatt Cenac;” stand-up series “Take My Wife” from creators and hosts Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher; travel show parody “Hidden America with Jonah Ray;” comedy series “Live From The Barrel House” and “The Comedy Show Show” from Rooftop Comedy; a musical comedy about mismatched housemates – one human, one puppet – “Sammy J & Randy in Ricketts Lane;” dark family comedy “Flowers,” starring Julian Barratt and Olivia Colman; among numerous others.
Beyond its originals, Seeso will curate an “artisanal selection” of great comedy, featuring for the first time ever on SVOD and exclusively on Seeso, “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” remastered to HD for the first time, along with the Python films, and the complete collection of Python documentaries and specials. Seeso’s curated library also includes the entire collection of “The Kids in the Hall,” also remastered to HD for the first time; complete collections of NBC late night hits “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” and “Saturday Night Live” – including new episodes of each show available next day; and the entire series of NBC’s hit “The Office,” the original BBC version of “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation,” “30 Rock,” “The Mighty Boosh,” “The IT Crowd,” “Nathan Barley,” “The Young Ones,” and hundreds of hours of television and films, specifically chosen to fit the Seeso filter of right brain comedy.
New Series: (Alphabetical)
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ (8×30)
A half-hour, semi-scripted comedy with an ensemble of seven real estate agents set against the backdrop of a luxury, cut throat LA real estate firm. Created and Executive Produced by Kulap Vilaysack. Executive Produced by Tom Lennon, Ben Garant, Scott Aukerman and David Jargowsky. Production services by Comedy Bang! Bang! Productions for Paramount Television.
Before the Morning After (10×15)
A late night comedy entertainment show featuring the world’s best comedians getting drunk in a diner at 2am at the world’s largest festival. Hosts include Jena Friedman, Alex Edelman, Greg Proops, and more. Executive Produced by Gary Reich for Brown Eyed Boy.
Big Jay Oakerson’s What’s Your F*@#ing Deal (8×30)
Let go of pretension and leave your ego at the door as Big Jay Oakerson leads a pack of comics in a completely improvised show based on interactions with the crowd. Starring and Executive Produced by Jay Oakerson. Executive Produced by Cris Italia, David Kimowitz, Lou Wallach, and Frank Mosca.
Dave & Ethan: Lovemakers (6×30)
A comedic sketch and gameshow that makes impromptu love connections between contestants plucked off the streets of New York City. Starring and Executive Produced by Dave Ahdoot and Ethan Fixell. Executive Produced by Jen Danielson, Ashley Bearden and Josh Poole for Above Average.
Flowers (6×30)
An imaginative, cinematic comedy about an eccentric family – The Flowers – struggling to hold themselves together. Starring Olivia Colman and Julian Barratt. Written and Directed by Will Sharpe. Executive Produced by Naomi de Pear and Diederick Santer for Kudos. A co-production with Channel 4.
Gentlemen Lobsters (8×15)
Based on the hit GQ series, Garrett and Quinn are best friends and roommates struggling to survive the devastating reality that is being a twentysomething lobster. Starring and Executive Produced by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider. For Condé Nast Entertainment, Executive Producers are Dawn Ostroff, Michael Klein and Jed Weintrob. For HotHouse Productions, Executive Producers are Michael J. Rizzo and Sean Conroy.
HarmonQuest (10×30)
A comedic journey into the hilarious world of fantasy roleplaying with Dan Harmon and his Comedian Companions. Starring Dan Harmon, Spencer Crittenden, Erin McGathy, and Jeff Bryan Davis. Created and Executive Produced by Dan Harmon and Spencer Crittenden. Produced by Starburns Industries and Universal Cable Productions.
Hidden America with Jonah Ray (9×30)
A fake travel show where the places are real but the people aren’t. Starring Jonah Ray. Executive Produced by Ray, Troy Miller, Alex Murray, Todd Sellers and produced by Dakota Pictures.
Live From The Barrel House (8×60)
A live stand-up series set at the famed Barrel House in San Francisco and featuring showcase performances from top comedians. Executive Produced by Rooftop Comedy.
New York’s Funniest (4×30 & 1×60)
Launched in 2008 and set at the famed Carolines on Broadway, the “New York’s Funniest” competition is open to any and all performers from around The Big Apple — the comedy mecca — who think they have what it takes to be “New York’s Funniest.” Executive Produced by Caroline Hirsch, Louis Faranda, Andrew Fox, and Lou Wallach.
Night Train with Wyatt Cenac (6×60)
A freewheeling mix of stand up, music and other surprises, where anything can happen and anything is welcome, Night Train with Wyatt Cenac captures the amazing talent and spontaneity that has made the live show a staple of the New York comedy scene for the past three years. Starring and Executive Produced by Wyatt Cenac. Produced by Avalon Television Inc., with Marianne Ways as Executive Consultant.
Sammy J & Randy in Ricketts Lane (6×30)
A musical comedy about two mismatched housemates from the acclaimed comedic duo, Sammy J – a human – and Randy – a purple puppet. Starring Sammy J and Randy. Created and written by Sammy J & Randy. Produced by Donna Andrews, Co-Producer Chris McDonald, Directed by Jonathan Brough, Sticky Pictures Executive Producers Donna Andrews & Stu Connolly ABC Executive Producers Rick Kalowski & Brett Sleigh. A Sticky Pictures Production in association with the ABC TV, Screen Australia and Film Victoria.
Soul Mates (6×30)
The story of two kindred spirits trapped in a cycle of death and rebirth, exploring love, loyalty and fashion in four different lifetimes. Starring Nick Boshier and Christiaan Van Vuuren. Created by Christiaan Van Vuuren, Connor Van Vuuren and Nick Boshier. Written and directed by Connor Van Vuuren and Christiaan Van Vuuren. Produced by Chloe Rickard. Executive Producers Rick Kalowski, Greg Waters and Abe Forsythe. A Van Vuuren Bros and Ludo Production in association with ABC TV, Screen Australia and Screen NSW.
Take My Wife (w/t) (6×30)
A half hour single-cam series that follows a young married couple as elements of their domestic lives provide material for the underground standup showcase they co-host. Starring and Executive Produced by Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher. Executive Produced by Scott Aukerman and David Jargowsky for Comedy Bang! Bang! Productions.
The Amazing Gayl Pile (10×15)
A scripted series about one man’s misguided quest to conquer the world of home shopping. Starring and Executive Produced by Morgan Waters and Brooks Gray. Executive Produced by Matt King and Andrew Ferguson for LaRue Entertainment in association with Tom Spriggs for The Coronel Group, Jonathan Stern for Abominable Pictures, Paul Scheer for 2nd Man on the Moon and Becca Kinskey.
The Comedy Show Show (8×60)
A series highlighting the best themed comedy shows across the U.S., from panel shows to contests to comedy storytelling. Executive Produced by Rooftop Comedy.
The Cyanide & Happiness Show (10×15)
An animated comedy series based on the popular web comic, which has cultivated a passionate online following with more than 4.9 million YouTube subscribers and 821 million views, including a record 117 million monthly views this past August. Created and Executive Produced by Rob DenBleyker, Kris Wilson and Dave McElfatrick of ExplosmEntertainment, and Executive Produced by Collective Digital Studio.
The UCB Show (8×30)
A weekly variety showcase for the best sketch, characters and stand-up homegrown at the UCB Theatres in LA and NYC. Hosted by Upright Citizens Brigade co-founders Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh and filmed with a live audience at UCB Sunset in Hollywood. Executive Produced by Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh, Bart Coleman, and Lou Wallach.
Thingstarter (6×15)
A workplace comedy with reality elements, Thingstarter is about a startup company that develops ridiculous yet plausible products and takes them into the real world to get feedback from real people and experts. Created and Executive Produced by Lucas Klauss, Matt Moskoviac, and Ben Stadler. Executive Produced by Jen Danielson, Ashley Bearden, and Josh Poole for Above Average.
Stand-Up Specials:
Besser Breaks The Record (1×60)
An hour-long stand up special from Matt Besser. From Comedy Dynamics.
Rory Scovel: The Charleston Special (1×60)
An hour-long stand up special from Rory Scovel. Executive Produced by Rory Scovel, Molly Mandel, and Mike Berkowitz.
Untitled Cameron Esposito Stand Up Special (1×60)
An hour-long stand up special from Cameron Esposito. From Comedy Dynamics.
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