What is a Web Series?

One of the discussions that will continue to occur on this blog, and many other places, is what constitutes a web series?   When does online get placed into the category of web series?

Here are a few ways to differentiate:

• Created specifically for the internet.  (Family Guy on Hulu is not a web series)
• Recurring/episodic

A short list, I know.

This creates a very large umbrella for content to fall under.  But if you think about it, so does the categorization “TV Show”.  And honestly, that is still one of the best comparisons.  There are reality shows, documentaries, scripted drama, DIY shows, sitcoms, and much more.  As long as it is on TV and recurs, it’s a TV show.  As long as it is online and recurs, it’s a web series.

Obviously there are smaller categories under this umbrella, but for our purposes this seems most applicable.  Feel free to debate me if you disagree.

On this point, I want to show something that some may not consider a web series, but by the above definition, it clearly is.  This is a great little show that aims to explain complex concepts in a manner in which people can clearly understand it.  It is a great series and incredibly educational.  It’s a DIY show, similar to anything seem on HGTV.  Therefore, Video Copilot‘s tutorials can also be considered a web series, or any tutorial series.

However, the video brings up a great point I will touch on in the near future.  How do web series and social media work together?  Is Youtube a network that broadcasts a series, or is at a form of advertising for a series?  This question is much more complex than it seems on the surface.

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