Yahoo announced a revamped portal for video and shows Tuesday, as well as its first full slate of online web series, featuring Morgan Spurlock, Niecy Nash and Judy Greer, among others.
Yahoo Screen is meant to improve on Yahoo Video, the company’s existing video site. It will feature original programming, aggregated content, personalization technologies, and curation.
It will also feature such Yahoo shows as “Primetime in No Time,” “The Thread” and “The Daily Ticker" and include Yahoo's library of video from such outside sources as Hulu, CBS, Howcast, Turner Sports and UFC.
“As the premier digital media company, we are at the forefront of online video programming and are continuing to build our leadership position,” said Mickie Rosen, senior vice president of Yahoo! Media Network. “This is next generation television, available anytime, anywhere, with something for everyone.”
The announcement comes as Yahoo places more empasis on streaming video and original content. In August, it had all of the top ten most-watched web shows. The move also arrives a day after the web giant announced a partnership with ABC News that will bring their combined unique monthly viewers to roughly 100 million a month, 25 million more than their nearest news competitor.
Seven of the new shows are live now, with new episodes arriving on Monday. The other, Morgan Spurlock's "Failure Club," will premiere on Yahoo! in November. The show from the "Super-Size Me" and "30 Days" creator will focus on the fear of failure.
Judy Greer ("The Descendants," "Arrested Development") will host a health show, while Niecy Nash ("Reno 911," "Dancing with the Stars") will cover relationships. Cameron Mathison ("All My Children," "Dancing with the Stars") will host a show dedicated to marriage proposals.
Here are Yahoo's descriptions of the new shows:
"Reluctantly Healthy"
Host: Judy Greer
Description: It’s easy to live healthy at home, in the comforts of your own kitchen, with your trusty treadmill in the next room. But what about those who are always on the go, working long hours and traveling? Like actress Greer ("The Descendants," "Arrested Development"). In this funny and informative series, Judy’s very own health and fitness dream team – trainer Tanja Djelevic, chef Jared Sokoloff and nutritionist Carey Peters -- teach her and the audience how to live healthy on the go. (Electus/ Principato-Young Entertainment)
"Let’s Talk About Love"
Host: Niecy Nash
Description: Comedienne Nash ("Reno 911," "Dancing With the Stars") hosts this weekly relationship show, which uniquely and positively examines a different love, sex or relationship topic in each episode. From tackling “why girls like bad boys” with a collection of her friends at the local spa, to offering love advice on an L.A. street corner, to confronting the crowd at a barbershop about “why men cheat,” the common thread is each episode will offer fantastic advice, Niecy’s trademark energy, and a ton of laughs.
