Web series

A web series (also known as a web show) is a series of scripted or non-scripted online videos, generally in episodic form, released on the Internet, which first emerged in the late 1990s and became more prominent in the early 2000s. A single instance of a web series program can be called an episode or a "webisode"; however, the term is not always used. In general, web series can be watched on a range of platforms and devices, including desktop, laptop, tablets and smartphones.

"Web series" are different from streaming television series, as the latter is purposed to be watched on streaming platforms such as Hotstar, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video[1][2] (though the term is occasionally used to refer to streaming television[3]). Because of the nature of the Internet itself, a web series may be interactive. Web series are classified as new media.

As of 2016, there were a number of awards that have been established to celebrate excellence in web series, like the Streamys, Webbys, IAWTV, and Indie Series Awards, although the Streamys and IAWTV also cover programs on streaming platforms. There are also several web series festivals, most notably in Los Angeles and Vancouver. Most major award ceremonies have also created web series and digital media award categories, including the Emmy Awards and the Canadian Screen Awards.

  1. ^ "What Is Streaming TV, and How Does It Work?". Insider. DirecTV. March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  2. ^ "What is streaming TV?". CenturyLink. 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  3. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (June 5, 2023). "'Sacred Games', 'Mirzapur', 'Scam 1992' Top IMDb's 50 All-Time Most Popular Indian Streaming Series List (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.