The 24 Spin-Off: Coming to a cell phone near you
A brand new way to cell '24'
By MARISA GUTHRIE
By early next year, viewers could be watching their favorite shows on their cell phones.
Consider this: Fox is teaming with Verizon Wireless to create and distribute "24: Conspiracy," 60-second made-for-cell-phone "mobisodes" of its hit drama "24."
The spin-off launches in January in overseas markets where video-phone technology is widely available. Verizon expects to roll out the 3G video phone necessary to watch "Conspiracy" during the "first half of next year," said a company spokesman.
Earlier this year, ABC News launched an all-news digital service, ABC News Now, parts of which are available to Sprint and AT&T cell phone users.
"People love their cell phones," said ABC News Now executive producer Mike Clemente, "and they love TV, especially if they don't have to sit at home and watch it."
Watching TV without being ensconced in the living room couch could be the wave of the future.
"I carry mine around," said Clemente, "and other than driving a Ferrari, I've never had anything that both men and women are like, 'Oh, that's so cool.' It's like a James Bond gadget."
And it's not just a novelty item anymore. Fox believes the presence of the "24" franchise on cell phones enhances the show's cachet.
The phone spin-off follows the same trajectory of the television series, with a cliff-hanger closing each episode. In "Conspiracy," a rogue federal agent (Beverly Woods) murders a high-ranking government official, and a counterterrorism operative (Dylan Bruce) races the clock to bring her to justice.
The story will unfold over 24 60-second mobisodes.
There will be references to the TV series, which stars Kiefer Sutherland, but there are no plans to do crossover episodes, and none of the "24" cast will appear in "Conspiracy."
"For us," said 20th Century Fox spokesman Chris Alexander, "the biggest advantage is promoting '24' and getting people talking about '24.' It really allows us to enhance the viewer's experience" of the TV show.