Yahoo is reportedly considering a move into producing original TV programmes, similar to the successful content developed by online streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon.
Reports revealed Yahoo is keen on making a series comprising of 10 half-hour-long comedies, with budgets ranging from $700,000 to a few million dollars per episode.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the projects would be headed by writers or directors with existing television experience, with one source saying that the company "want to blow it out big time" .
If the reports come true, Yahoo would launching into a very competitve and expensive market, facing direct competition from Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu, with the former’s House of Cards recently winning widespread plaudits.
"(Yahoo is) looking at the same type of shows that Netflix and Amazon are eyeing," another source added.
By exploring high-quality video programming, which might include both original shows and old episodes of existing series, Yahoo is looking to get its customers watching high-price video adverts, intensifying competition with Google’s YouTube video sharing network.
As part of efforts to boost its media offerings, Yahoo is also reportedly considering acquiring online video service News Distribution Network, while hired TV news journalist Katie Couric and ex-New York Times technology columnist David Pogue in 2013.
