Social network game developer Zynga purchased OMGPOP and its smash hit application Draw Something for somewhere in the ballpark of $180 million earlier this year. Now, the company that’s turning Angry Birds into full-length feature film and 52-episode web series is bringing its Pictionary for the Facebook generation to Tinseltown, too.
News broke earlier this week CBS won a bidding war to bring Draw Something to the small screen. The network purchased a pilot produced Ryan Seacrest Productions and Embassy Row, which it will test before deciding whether or not to order a full-fledged series.
The news, of course, will bring to mind another social media sensation picked up by CBS and iterated into a television show. Shi*t My Dad Says starred William Shatner and lasted for 18 episodes before getting cancelled in its first season. (The Twitter account the program is based on, however, is still very much active with over 3 million followers.)
But that’s not the only other example of network or cable television obtaining the rights to turn an application or website with massive online and mainstream media appeal into a TV show. The good people at The Week thought of at least five more:
- CBS’ comedy Friend Me, based on the discount website Groupon scheduled to air later this year.
- The Honey Badger television series based on the Honey Badger Don’t Care viral video.
- Comedy Central picked up Stuff White People Like, but the show never made it to air.
- Fox is in the works on a program based on the website Texts From Last Night.
- CBS’ ordered a script based on the Twitter account Shh Don’t Tell Steve, but never made the program.
Check out the full list and more info at The Week. And let us know what application or website you would love to see turned into a TV show.