Web series

A web series is a set of short videos that come out on the Internet, often one after another like episodes. These videos are usually between 3 and 15 minutes long, but some can be up to 20 minutes. They started in the mid-1990s and got more popular in the early 2000s.

NH6. Example of a web series, with episode runtimes ranging from 16–20 minutes.

Web series are shared on video-sharing websites and apps such as YouTube, Vimeo, and TikTok. You can watch them on smartphones, tablets, desktops, laptops, and Smart TVs. Because they are online, web series can sometimes let you choose what happens next.

Unlike longer streaming television shows on services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, web series usually cost less to make. Some popular web series have become television shows. There are special events and awards just for web series, like the Streamys and the Emmy Awards.

History

1990s

In April 1995, an episode of the show Rox was uploaded to the Internet. It was one of the first shows shared online. That same year, Scott Zakarin created The Spot, an online story with photos, videos, and blogs. It was compared to a popular TV show.

In 1999, the animated sci-fi web series WhirlGirl became the first web series to be licensed by a national TV network, Showtime. It started airing both online and on TV.

2000s

As Internet speeds got better, it became easier to watch videos online. In the early 2000s, Japanese anime started showing shows called original net animation (ONA) on the Internet.

In 2000, Homestar Runner, a fun web series, was launched by The Brothers Chaps. It took a break in 2010 but returned in 2014.

YouTube launched in 2005. Many independent web series became popular, like the science fiction series Red vs. Blue.

2010s

In 2010, the first episode of the animation web series Battle for Dream Island was released on YouTube. It was created by twin brothers and is known for its fun style.

2020s

Awards

The Webby Awards began in 1996 by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. The Indie Series Awards started in 2009 by We Love Soaps. Both celebrate comedy, drama, and reality TV made for the web. In 2009, the International Academy of Web Television was created to support digital entertainment. It helped choose winners for the Streamy Awards in 2009 and 2010. After issues with the 2010 awards, the academy stopped producing them. It started the IAWTV Awards in 2012 to honor creators of short web series worldwide.