TV | By Jethro Nededog on April 1, 2014 @ 6:00 amFollow @therealjethro
Israel’s “Connected” (Koda Communications)
The international format will be adapted for U.S. audiences for the AOL On Network
AOL is moving forward on its first long-form original series, a step that places them in the realm of other digital companies-turned-multimedia producers like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.
The media company will produce “Connected,” a docu-series that will be adapted from an international format for United States audiences, for its AOL On Network, the company’s premium video platform, and its partner sites. It’s expected to premiere in January.
“With ‘Connected,’ we are capturing and elevating the type of authentic content that has already resonated so deeply with our viewers,” said AOL Video president Ran Harnevo in a statement.
He continued, “At AOL, we are committed to producing premium, engaging video content — and as a result, we are very intentional with the show themes and production styles we select. Our original content offerings are constantly evolving and long-form was the natural next step.”
Here’s AOL’s synopis for “Connected”:
The show chronicles the lives of five seemingly disconnected New Yorkers as they explore the concept of family in New York City. As five parallel stories unfold and eventually come together in a cohesive storyline, viewers are reminded of the universal bond that family has on individuals and on society as a whole — regardless of social status, income, gender, marital status or sexual orientation.
“As we expand our original content offerings, and dive into new international markets, it makes sense for us to carry over unique production styles to the United States,” said AOL’s global video strategy vice president Tal Simantov. “‘Connected’ has seen major success across the globe, and we are confident that the universal themes and focus on real life will speak just as loudly to American audiences as they have abroad.”
Iterations of the series have aired in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Holland, India, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Romania and Ukraine.
One of Israel’s highest-rated cable TV series ever, “Connected” will be produced for AOL by Israeli production company Koda Communications and the format’s creator Ram Landes.
“Connected” will be the company’s 16th original production and will join AOL’s 2014 development slate, which will be announced during Digital Content NewFronts on April 29 in Brooklyn, N.Y.