SeeSo, NBCUniversal’s comedy streaming service, is coming soon

It’ll be all comedy, all the time for NBCUniversal’s upcoming subscription streaming service, SeeSo. The media company announced Thursday that SeeSo is due to launch in invite-only beta in December, followed by a wide release coming in January. Subscribers will pay $3.99 a month for ad-free access to both original and classic series, as well as exclusive content, online and through connected devices and other distribution platforms.

With SeeSo, NBCU hopes to create an alternative to big streaming services that helps comedy lovers easily find content that appeals to them. “Big streaming services have created a paradox of choice — they’re great if you know exactly what to watch, but if you aren’t in the middle of a binge, the search can be near endless,” said Evan Shapiro, executive VP for digital enterprises at NBCU. “By focusing on a specific yet large niche, and providing a curated experience, we can help viewers find good stuff they might not or cannot find. SeeSo is your neighborhood comedy eatery, with daily specials from a chef you trust.”

As described on the service’s Twitter account, “Only Seeso gives comedy aficionados access to rare and quotable comedy classics and new original shows you can’t find anywhere else.” Of the classics, some will be new to streaming, including Monty Python’s Flying Circus and The Kids in the Hall. Complete collections will also be on Seeso, such as Saturday Night Live, along with past seasons of Parks and Recreation, both the American and British versions of The Office, and more. For shows that are currently airing, new episodes will be available the day after they air.

Seeso’s content will be curated specifically for the site and users will be able to select on-demand playlists each month, complete with video recommendations. New original content will also be consistently added, including HarmonQuest, an animated adventure from Community‘s Dan Harmon.

Seeso shared some of its selling points on Twitter Thursday.

#Seeso is coming soon. Stream all the comedy you can watch, anywhere. Fave classics to original content. #YouGetIt http://pic.twitter.com/8S1l8iBe2P

— Seeso (@SeesoTV) October 15, 2015

For those worrying that NBCUniversal content may be pulled from Hulu, the media company ensures that pre-existing deals will not be impacted by the launch of SeeSo.

from Planet GS via John Jason Fallows on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1Qyvm9L
Stephanie Topacio Long