Lionsgate and Comic-Con Set to Release New Streaming Platform

Lionsgate and Comic-Con International have teamed up to create a new video-on-demand streaming platform called Comic-Con HQ. 

Last year, they announced that Comic-Con HQ was in the works and yesterday, word came out that a free beta for the streaming service will debut May 7, and the full version will be released sometime in June. The cost of the service is unknown at this time. Hopefully, this will give them enough time to work everything out before the main event in San Diego actually begins in July. 

Here are some definite features the service will provide: original series (scripted and unscripted), with one of those being the series Kings of Con; two roundtable discussion shows, one featuring female perspective of pop culture; and a 1:1 interview series from Adam Sessler (X-Play).

As for coverage of the con, not much has been verified as to what the service will actually host. We do know that the Masquerade and the Eisner Awards will be featured, as will "select" panels, and there will be some convention floor footage.

The service was created in order to appease the overwhelming number of people who make up the Comic-Con community and an attempt to reach out to those unable to attend the actual con. Comic-Con International Vice President Seth Laderman stated:

"There is a demand for Comic-Con. And until now, it was an experience that only lasted five days a year with only so many badges to buy and so much floor space to give. So Comic-Con International and Lionsgate –- two companies who know and respect genre entertainment -– teamed up to launch Comic-Con HQ, because there is a strong need and equal opportunity to provide our community with a premium platform that uniquely and authentically extends everything we love about Comic-Con all year round."

While I agree with his sentiments — I would probably crawl under a blanket and cry for all of July if I missed a year of Comic-Con — I haven't really made up my mind on how I feel about the actual streaming service. Do I think Comic-Con should be enjoyed by everyone? Of course. But do I also think that people will PAY to see the things listed above? Maybe not, unless they start streaming Hall H panels or even the very intimate Nerd HQ panels, I don't think the demand for this service exists. However, if they start streaming those things (including the exclusive footage in the halls), I think I would feel under-appreciated as a fan who battled, Hunger Games-style, to get my badge. 

I'm still very unsure about this, but it will definitely be interesting to see what happens.