TheWB.com transitions to open beta

Look for episodes of “Firefly,” “Friends” and more at TheWB.com, moving to an open, public beta starting today.  But that’s not all — TheWB.com will have original series as well.

Premiering today are the web series “Blue Water High,” “A Boy Wearing Makeup,” and “Whatever Hollywood.”

The McG-produced “Sorority Forever” launches Sept. 8.  “Downers Grove” will debut on September 29, and “High Drama” will bow on October 6.

Full release after the cut.

BURBANK, Calif. (August 27, 2008) – The WB is back in business, with the official public launch today of TheWB.com – a premium, ad-supported, video-on-demand, interactive and personalized network – to the public. Announced in April, TheWB.com had previously been in private beta and now transitions to an open, public beta.

            TheWB.com will debut original series from such creative talent as director/producer McG (the upcoming “Terminator Salvation,” “Supernatural,” the “Charlie’s Angels” films) and writer/producer Josh Schwartz (“Gossip Girl,” “Chuck,” “The O.C.”), among many others.  A selection of both fan-favorite and original series will be available at launch today, and others will roll out in coming weeks and months.

            Two previously announced original series – “Downers Grove” and “High Drama: Against All Oz” – now have premiere dates. “Downers Grove” will debut on September 29, and “High Drama” will bow on October 6.

            TheWB.com will also feature full episodes of fan-favorite series that have shaped popular culture and inspired devoted followings over the past decade, including “Angel,”  “Babylon 5,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Everwood,” “Firefly,” “Friends,” “Gilmore Girls,” “In Living Color,” “The Loop” “MADtv,” “The O.C.,” “One Tree Hill,” “Roswell,” “Smallville” and “Veronica Mars.”

            “TheWB.com is a new digital destination built from the ground up for the same 16–34 year-old audience that embraced The WB when it was a television phenomenon,” said Brent Poer, GM, TheWB.com. “We have loaded the site with their favorite classic series like ‘Friends’ and ‘The O.C.,’ high-quality original programming and a wide array of sharing features, mash-up tools, and interactivity options to fit their lifestyle.”

            Original and acquired series will include:

            “Sorority Forever” (premieres September 8): Director/producer McG, through his Wonderland Sound and Vision banner, teams up with Big Fantastic – producers of the hit digital series “Prom Queen” – on an innovative mystery/drama which peeks behind the walls of one of the most intriguing secret societies in the world: the sorority. With a mystery around every corner, “Sorority Forever” will provide viewers with a sexy, immersive experience that is simultaneously realistic and voyeuristic:  Think “Prom Queen” meets “The O.C.,” but set in college.  The series stars Jessica Rose (“lonelygirl15”), Mikaela Hoover, Taryn Southern, Anabella Casanova, Candice Patton, Annemarie Pazmino, Jessica Morris, Cary Hungerford, Angie Cole, David Loren and Joaquin Pastor. McG will executive produce, along with Big Fantastic creators/executive producers Douglas Cheney, Chris Hampel, Chris McCaleb and Ryan Wise. Producing alongside McG at Wonderland Sound and Vision are Peter Johnson, Matthew King and Jeff Grosvenor.

            “Blue Water High” (premieres today, August 27): The ultimate adventure comes to life for six Australian teenagers in this drama set at an exclusive, ultra-competitive surf academy where they live, study, surf and socialize together. At the end of the grueling 12-month residential athletic and academic program, two surfers – one male and one female – will win the prize they’ve all been fighting for: admission to the professional surfing circuit and a sponsorship contract. Series stars include Adam Saunders, Chris Foy, Kate Bell, Khan Chittenden, Sophie Luck and Tahyna Tozzi.

            “A Boy Wearing Makeup” (premieres today, August 27): Mathieu Francis is a boy … who wears makeup … and looks fabulous.  In this highly personal online video diary, Mathieu dispenses makeup advice and fashion tips while taking viewers along on his own personal journey.  Imagine what a boy this pretty can teach you.

            “Whatever Hollywood” (premieres today, August 27):  Suri, Apple and Shiloh are three best friends who are taking Hollywood by storm and playing by their own rules. Tune in to their self-described fun and silly short films (many featuring their own original music), as well as the reality-style “Whatever Show.” As smart as they are beautiful, this talented trio hates waiting for Hollywood to answer their calls … so they decided to do it for themselves.  Whatever, Hollywood! “Whatever Hollywood” stars Ellyn Ruschak as Suri, Alyssa Ruschak as Shiloh and Jenny Alden as Apple.

            “Downers Grove” (premieres September 29): Alden, Brett, Pudge, and Jodi never grew up. When everyone their age went away to college, they stayed in the suburbs, always on the prowl for the next party and never far from disturbing the peace. In Downers Grove, you can never go home again. So they never left. “Downers Grove” stars David Horwitz, Michael Blaiklock, Justin Becker, Elisha Yaffe, Anne Gregory, Heidi Heaslet, Ashton Grant and Kasia Szarek.