Sony Pictures Television gives webisodes another crack

Crackle, Sony Pictures Television's streaming Web TV service formerly known as Grouper, has announced a new programming lineup that will begin on Monday, December 1.

Six new shows will have an increased emphasis on production values, while retaining the five-minute-or-less webisode timestamp, and will be "aired" at specific times of the week, adopting more of a broadcast television schedule. This moves Crackle even further away from its roots as a viral distribution platform, and more toward the pattern of a traditional broadcast network.

However, Eric Berger, Sony's executive in charge of Crackle, said, "Just because it has higher production values doesn't mean we're trying to mirror movies and TV."

While much of the programming Crackle will be airing is a continuation of established series, the site will be premiering a new shows that rely on the star power of their actors. Unfortunately, Crackle's stars would be best categorized as "C-list" at best. Some of the service's biggest stars currently include David Faustino (Bud from Fox's "Married With Children,") Emmy nominated writer Bob Kushell, and mid '90's teen actor Corin Nemec ("Parker Lewis Can't Lose").