WIGS is a web channel, part of the YouTube Original Channel Initiative.^[1] It presents web series, short films and documentaries about the lives of women.^[2] WIGS targets a female audience.^[3] Most videos are around five to ten minutes in length.^[4]

The channel was co-created by Jon Avnet, producer of Black Swan and Risky Business,^[5] and Rodrigo Garcia, who directed Albert Nobbs and In Treatment.^[6]

History

Jon Avnet and Rodrigo Garcia developed and wrote a handful of series^[7] and recruited writers and directors such as Lesli Linka Glatter, Rose Troche, Amy Lippman,^[8] Marta Kauffman,^[9] and Julia Stiles,^[10] to direct projects for the channel.^[11] They have recruited actors such as Jennifer Beals, Jena Malone, Troian Bellisario, and Julia Stiles.

WIGS officially launched on May 14, 2012.^[11] The channel's first season includes 100 episodes of short films, series and documentaries.^[11] "Jan," written and directed by Jon Avnet, was the first series released by WIGS.^[12] While the channel's tagline "Where it gets interesting" does not fully match the acronym WIGS; on their website, the words "Where It Gets . . ." are used to begin to describe each series, and the last word is changed. For example, for the first series, "Jan," the tagline is, "Where It Gets Spicy." ^[13]

On February 19, 2013, Fox announced the launch of an event series and multiplatform programming department and a multiyear partnership with WIGS.^[14] The multiyear programming, marketing and distribution pact with WIGS was intended to serve as an incubator for original content that can be programmed on Fox or other networks.^[15] WIGS will fall under Fox's Shana C. Waterman's purview.^[16]

In May 2013, WIGS celebrated its first anniversary and combined viewing figures of over 33 million. The channel was at that point YouTube's number one channel for scripted drama.^[17]

Beginning in June 2013, WIGS released seven of its series ("Blue,"^[18] "Lauren," "Jan," "Christine," "Ruth & Erica," "Audrey," and "Vanessa & Jan") on Hulu under the FOX banner.^[19] The series were recut into fewer, longer episodes for the new medium.

In September 2013, WIGS announced that "Blue" would return for a 3rd season, adding Eric Stoltz and Alexz Johnson to the cast.^[20]

Series

The channel features series that follow the lives of different women. The stories include a poker player on a losing streak, a mother with a secret life and one that follows a woman on a series of speed dates. Many of them follow a woman's professional life, romance, war, or family structures.^[21]

Awards and accolades