Verizon-Hearst platform orders scripted satire

Verizon Hearst Media Partners, a joint venture that operates a suit of multiplatform channels, has greenlit a 10x30mins scripted satire from US digital studio Insurrection Media.

Drive Share will debut on VHMP-owned Seriously.TV in an exclusive first window in shorter-form chapters before Insurrection distributes it internationally as half-hours.

Seriously.TV, which telco Verizon and media group Hearst own, was one of three millennial-targeted networks New York-based VHMP launched in March. It is distributed on the Verizon Go90 and AOL platforms and has a mission goal to provide comedy video content to millennials using mobile phones for their daily news and culture updates.

Driev Share will be based on the cultural phenomenon of ‘Uberification’, following drivers as they shuttle fascinating people around town.

“Everyone, particularly millennials, can relate to having experienced odd, comedic situations while utilising a peer-to-peer ridesharing service,” said Justin Killion, head of premium programming and development at Seriously.TV of Drive Share. “This concept, coupled with the smart, comedic sensibilities of this fantastic team, will make for a truly hilarious series with a unique point of view.”

It comes from Rob Huebel (Children’s Hospital) and Paul Scheer (The League), with Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp’s Jonathan Stern and Keith Quinn (Burning Love) executive producing.

Stern, founder of Abominable Pictures, and ex-Paramount Digital chief Quinn both have production deals with Insurrection, which bills itself as a “talent-friendly digital TV studio” that produces for OTT, broadcast and cable networks.

“In this crowded TV landscape I believe this is the only show that will prove to make a difference in the world,” said Scheer.

Production begins in LA this July ahead of a debut on Seriously.TV in Q4.