Michael Lombardo, President of HBO programming announced that HBO and retired Daily Show host Jon Stewart, have joined forces that will see the revered comedian, producing original content for the company, for at least the next four years. Stewart’s first project will be creating “short form digital content” that will be showcased on HBO NOW, HBO GO and other platforms, and includes a first-look option for other film and TV ventures.
From HBO’s press release:
“In his first project for HBO under the new deal, Stewart will view current events through his unique prism. Working with the pioneering cloud graphics company OTOY Inc., he is developing new technology that will allow him to produce timely short-form digital content, which will be refreshed on HBO NOW multiple times throughout the day. Additional projects will be announced as they are confirmed.”
“I’m so excited to be working with Richard [Plepler], Michael and the entire HBO family,” says Stewart. “Appearing on television 22 minutes a night clearly broke me. I’m pretty sure I can produce a few minutes of content every now and again.”
This is exciting news for fans of the Daily Show and Jon Stewart, as this first project looks to take a pioneering and innovative leap within the world of streaming content, a distribution platform in its infancy.