Sony's Crackle.com to kick off new video 'season'
A Sony-owned online video entertainment site is expected to unveil its latest "season" of Internet programs on Monday, as the media giant moves to beef up its online entertainment content.
Crackle.com, which Sony bought in 2006 when it was known as Grouper, will showcase shows that include sketch comedy by The Groundlings and Anytime with Bob Kushell , a five-minute talk show hosted by a Hollywood writer, Reuters reported Sunday. Crackle has adopted the television practice of rolling out new programming in seasons instead of rolling out episodes when they are completed. Crackle's season begins December 1, according to the report.
The six new shows, which will often have episodes no longer than 5 minutes, will apply the same production techniques used in TV and films, Reuters reported.
"Just because it has higher production values doesn't mean we're trying to mirror movies and TV," Eric Berger, a Sony executive in charge of Crackle, told Reuters.
Other shows include The Jace Hall Show, which will focus on video games, and Owen Benjamin Presents, which will focus on comedic how-to segments.
In August, Sony Pictures Television signed a distribution deal with pioneering Web series Rocketboom, in which Sony will handle all distribution and ad sales, as well as place its Crackle.com player on the Rocketboom site.
Crackle had 2.4 million visitors in October, Reuters cited Nielsen Online as reporting.
Steven Musil is the night news editor at CNET News. Before joining CNET News in 2000, Steven spent 10 years at various Bay Area newspapers. E-mail Steven. 
Can't say I've seen any of the others, though.