NBC Planning Separate SNL Web Portal

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By Gillian Reagan

October 13, 2008 | 12:29 p.m

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Tina Fey's Sarah Palin skits were viewed twice as many times online and via DVR recordings than in original broadcasts, according to a recent study by Integrated Media Measurement Inc. Now NBC and Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels are in talks to develop a new on-demand video Website that would feature online clips from SNL, Broadcasting & Cable reports. According to their sources, the site would include a mix of original comedy sketches (similar to SNL's web series The Line), clips from past episodes and gems from dress rehearsal skits that have never aired. Some worry that NBC won't be able to monetize the site and it may launch too late to capture the SNL buzz from Ms. Fey's spoofs and other pre-election skits. Sources say the site is modeled after Funny or Die, the video Website co-founded by Will Ferrell which "isn't doing that great,” according to an "NBC insider."

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SNL head writer Seth Meyers confirmed that a new site was in the works on ESPN columnist Bill Simmons’ podcast The BS Report, late last week.

Meyers says plans for the site gained momentum after seeing the popularity of SNL clips on Hulu, the News Corp.-NBC Universal owned video site. Because of their length, they lend themselves well to use in clip format, and have consistently been among the most viewed videos on the site.

Among the ideas being discussed, according to Meyers, would be cast member pages, featuring their “top 10” sketches of all time, as well as to ask that week’s guest host what their favorite moments were.