The CW picks up Shaftesbury’s digital series Backpackers

The CW has picked up Shaftesbury’s online comedy series Backpackers for its nascent digital service.

The youth skewing broadcaster will launch the comedy on its CW Digital service. This follows its recent acquisition of the latest season of Vuguru’s Prom Queen.

Backpackers is produced by Shaftesbury’s digital media division Smokebomb Entertainment and has already been picked up by broadcasters including CTV and Bell Media in Canada. The live action series follows two best friends as they go on a wild choose across Europe in search of one of their fiancee’s. There is also an interactive choose-your-own-adventure style app.

“The sale to CW Digital guarantees an exciting North American launch for Backpackers, representing a new opportunity for broadcast and digital media to come together to create content,” said Maggie Murphy, co-head, Shaftesbury US.

“We are delighted to have CWD on board with Backpackers,” said Jay Bennett, vice president and creative director, Smokebomb Entertainment. “As one of several original digital series that Smokebomb has to offer, Backpackers represents the culmination of the best of television, interactive and social content.”