David Farnor | On 25, Jun 2015

Seth Laderman has been hired to lead the new Comic-Con SVOD service.

The site, which will contain exclusive content relating to the 45-year-old fan convention, is designed to turn the comics and pop culture event into “a year-round online experience”.

The event has grown from 300 attendees in the basement of San Diego’s U.S. Grant Hotel in 1970 to well over 130,000 fans from around the world last year, marking its evolution into a staple of popular culture and the longest-running comics and popular arts convention in America. Last year, 17 of the top 20 North American box office blockbusters had a presence at the Comic-Con Convention. Badges for this year’s Comic-Con sold out in 60 minutes.

Laderman, in association with Comic-Con International, will be responsible for programming the service’s portfolio of content. Laderman has spent the past 12 years working as head of production for both Legendary Digital and Nerdist Industries, helping to turn the podcast into a worldwide distribution platform. He also helped forge content partnerships with Xbox, Spotify, Twitch and Verizon to grow the Legendary brand (which was re-launched following the acquisition of Nerdist) into a “major force in the digital world”.

While the talent behind the scenes is impressive, those hoping for live-streams of panels this summer will be disappointed: the streaming service will not launch until the first quarter of 2016 and will contain “original short-form content” and “archived footage from Comic-Con’s 45-year history”.

Indeed, the site is also about providing a new SVOD service for Lionsgate, the channel’s operator alongside Comic-Con International: as well as the above, the serif will include films and TV series from Lionsgate and other studios “designed to appeal to the diverse interested of Comic-Con’s fans”.

“We intend to differentiate our service through the depth and diversity of its content, the quality of its curation and the joys of discovering its rich mix of programming,” says Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television & Digital Distribution Jim Packer.

“Seth is ideally qualified to create a line-up that delights fans and newcomers alike with a combination of beloved treasures, thrilling discoveries and unique original content designed exclusively to satisfy our audiences.”

“This is a world I know and love, a community I appreciate and respect. I’m thrilled to embark on this adventure with Lionsgate and Comic-Con International, two of the boldest, most innovative and visionary brands in fan culture,” adds Mr. Laderman.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to engage this awesome fan base and launch a service that will expand the world of Comic-Con by bringing exciting new content to its fans.”

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