CBS Interactive Web Original Studios says that after three stints on Survivor, including taking home $1,000,000 and winner of Survivor: Micronesia Fans vs. Favorites, Parvati Shallow will host the third season of web series, “Around the World for Free,” presented by AT&T.
On 7/8, Parvati takes off on a 100-day adventure with nothing but a backpack and an AT&T-powered smart phone and tablet. Traveling without any money or pre-arranged transportation and lodging, she will rely on the kindness of strangers and the advice of fans who’ll interact with her via Twitter (@ATWFFLive), email and a special interactive map at CBS.com. CBS Interactive Web Original Studios will produce a total of 50 webisodes of to be posted on CBS.com every other day during the odyssey.
It all begins at 2:00 PM, PT after an appearance on CBS’s The Talk at 5PM ET. Fans can immediately begin following Parvati’s adventures at cbs.com/world, where they can read her journey log, watch videos and check out photos of her trip captured via her AT&T smart phone and tablet. Viewers also will be able to contact Parvati in real-time in order to offer tips for attractions to visit, a place to stay, etc.
RBR-TVBR observation: This is a good example of monetizing web-only content – an ongoing problem for networks trying to capitalize on the space with their own in-house dedicated divisions. CBS Interactive secured a high-profile advertiser and immersed it – and its customers — completely into the programming. The entire show revolves around demonstrating AT&T’s technology!
