An online network formed by professional TV and film scribes during the writer’s strike unveiled a slate Wednesday featuring contributions from the minds behind the likes of “The Office” and “Die Hard.”
Strike.tv plans to launch this summer with more than 40 shortform programs, including comedies, dramas and a game show; the site has yet to secure advertising.
Participating writers include Lester Lewis (“The Office”), Rob Kutner (“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart”), Stephen E. de Souza (“Die Hard”), Karen Harris (“General Hospital”) and Ron Corcillo (“Malcolm in the Middle”).
The impetus for the online network came from writers who wanted to generate revenue for out-of-work colleagues. To that end, Strike.TV pledges to donate the first three months of ad revenue to the Entertainment Assistance Program of the Actors Fund.
However, Strike.tv is also intended to become a profitable venture in its own right, allowing writers to own their intellectual property. Its creators also anticipate it could be an alternative to the studio system as well as a breeding ground for programming that studios could co-opt.
Strike.tv also has attracted talent including Bob Newhart, Timothy Dalton and “Saturday Night Live’s” Kristen Wiig.
