Everything You Need To Know About The CW Seed

You probably haven't heard of the CW Seed (don't worry, we kind of hadn't either) but you've definitely heard about the highly-anticipated, kickstarter-funded Veronica Mars movie. Well, the CW Feed is about to shoot onto your radar and fast — the CW announced at the head of their TCA presentation that its digital-only network, otherwise known as the CW Seed, will air a Veronica Mars spin-off show. Yay for more Veronica Mars in 2014 — but what's even more exciting than more of everyone's favorite high school sleuth is the CW's digital-only network.

As far as the spin-off show, the CW has tapped creator and co-writer/director of the original Veronica Mars and its new film reboot, Rob Thomas, to spearhead the project. According to CW president Mark Pedowitz, Thomas will begin working on the spin-off series when he completes the Veronica Mars film as well as iZombie, a drama project he's currently working on at the CW. Other than the details about Thomas, that's all we know about the new series as it's only in a concept-phase right now with no official details locked in. But its debut on the CW's Seed means one thing for sure — the web-network, which is allegedly acting as an "incubator" and launching pad for new series that could transition to TV, might bring Veronica Mars back to primetime.

Here's what you need to know about the CW Seed:

It's A Digital-Only Network

The official description of the CW Seed on its website reads:

CW Seed is The CW’s digital-only network. It’s where we blur the line between television and the web and experiment with high-quality original series in smaller sizes. Basically, it’s where we go digging for what’s next.

Pretty straight-forward — all-digital, high-quality, original programming made by the CW on a smaller scale that will blur the lines between its current TV programming and the new stuff. Which brings us to our second, important detail...

It's A Launching Pad

"Basically, it's where we go digging for what's next," — so your new CW series could be coming off of the Seed, thus creating the "blurring of lines" that they're talking about. With this Veronica Mars announcement, we can only assume that they're expecting a spike in traffic and viewers on the site, which is already boasting five live-action series, one animated series, and a celeb-news channel that will act as a liaison between CW shows and their stars and fans. (Their own version of E! News and Entertainment Tonight?)

They're Collaborating In-House

Just about all of the programming on the Seed, including the new Veronica Mars spin-off (it aired on season on the WB), is the work of an actor or executive that's already affiliated with the CW in some way. There are two series, one created by and both starring Hart of Dixie's Wilson Bethel — L.A. Rangers and Stupid Hype — on the site. There's also a comedy/sci-fi series that's executive produced by Milo Ventimiglia (AKA JESS FROM GILMORE GIRLS) and another series from Buffy the Vampire Slayer executive producer Jane Espenson. The CW is supporting creative efforts of its own and that rocks.

The 5 New Series

Lots of comedy and sci-fi:

Backpackers — In an attempt to get over a serious case of cold feet a recently engaged couple, Ryan and Beth, embark on separate European vacations with the mantra “what happens in Europe, stays in Europe.” But hours into his adventure with his party animal and womanizing best friend, Ryan realizes he’s made a huge mistake and sets off in search of Beth. His one problem? He has no idea where she could be.

Gallery Mallory — Over-educated and bitterly under-employed Mallory, a stylish, acerbic twenty-something, tries to do the bare minimum while working at a snobby Soho art gallery, but the real-life celebrities she encounters don’t make it so easy. (Oh, and LOTS of guest voice stars — including Kat Graham from The Vampire Diaries.)

Husbands — Tabloid darling Cheeks and star athlete Brady accidentally got married after a drunken night in Vegas but they decided to stick it out to support marriage equality. Now, while preparing to re-do the “I do”s they neglected during their first time around, they must contend with their parents and Brady’s ex-fiancee-with-an-agenda.

L.A. Rangers — When boredom strikes, two Los Angeles park rangers use their overactive imaginations to transport themselves into other worlds. Blending genres like sci-fi, western, anime, and fantasy with comedy, it’s a trip you won’t forget.

Stupid Hype — A live-action comedy series created by and starring Wilson Bethel. The show chronicles the (mis)adventures of Hype who, after a tragic breakdancing accident, becomes a rising rap star in 1990. (By the way, Bethel writes original music with his producer brother.)

The P.E.T Squad Files — This show follows the comic misadventures of a ragtag group of ex-community college students turned paranormal investigators. Led by Spencer and Courtney, the team films their forays into the world of ghost-hunting in the hopes of one day landing a reality TV show. But while Courtney is dead serious in his hunt for the undead, Spencer is only seriously dying to be famous.

Pretty atypical compared to the CW's current series and we dig it — especially Wilson Bethel writing original rap songs and playing a 90s rapper.

The Celeb News Channel

This isn't a necessarily new concept — E! News has been around for awhile — but they'll be covering exclusively CW-related celebrity news and be delivering sneak peeks for all of the network's current shows. Pretty damn cool to corner the market, especially since their shows tend to develop strong and hyper-involved fan bases.

Image: The CW