LOS ANGELES-Cingular Wireless L.L.C. has teamed with HBO to offer made-for-mobile episodes of the cable operator’s hit show “Entourage.”
The 4-minute episodes are designed to complement the TV series and will center on “Entourage” character Johnny Drama. The wireless clips will feature the same characters and actors as the regular show and will be developed by the same writers and producers.
“The episodes are short and funny,” said Cingular Vice President of Marketing John Burbank, “just the kind of entertainment mobile customers want.”
Cingular also said that subscribers can now view full-length episodes from “Entourage” as well as other HBO titles including “Sex and the City,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Tourgasm.”
The news is the latest effort by a Tier 1 carrier to push multimedia entertainment services by offering high-profile content from well-known providers. Verizon Wireless has offered made-for-mobile clips based on the hit Fox show “24,” and Sprint Nextel Corp. inked a deal to carry exclusive video from the National Football League.
Meanwhile, digital entertainment company Phoebeworks Productions Inc. said it has started work on a new series designed exclusively for Internet and mobile-phone users. The comedy/drama, dubbed “Floaters,” will be targeted at young women and consist of 15 weekly 30-minute episodes. The shows will be broken into 2-minute clips for wireless users.
“We’re envisioning people watching regularly from anywhere, any time,” said Mike Stickle, the show’s executive producer. “We have assembled an incredible cast that will work with our team of writers, directors and other creative talent to bring `Floaters’ to audiences all over the world.”
