Breaking: NBC and Lorne Michaels Launching SNL Web Comedy Portal

Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels and NBC are reportedly launching a standalone SNL web comedy site according to B&C. The new site will feature deep collection of SNL clips as well as un-aired behind-the-scenes and dress rehearsal footage. Also on the site will be original web comedy series such as Broadway Video’s The Line, from SNL’s Bill Hader and Seth Meyers.

Meyers, head writer on SNL, hinted that the new comedy site was in the works on the October 7 edition of  ESPN columnist Bill Simmons’ podcast The BS Report. Given the recent ratings spike NBC has enjoyed from SNL’s irreverent election satire, including Tina Fey’s spot-on portrayals of Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin, this seems like striking while the iron is hot. NBC-Universal has been late to the web game insofar as building out a standalone site for original web content mixed with a healthy on-demand library. Its investment in Hulu

most likely has something to do with the hesitation, as the SNL clips have been one of the leading draws to the year-old portal. But jumping in with the resurgent SNL franchise headlining, NBC-U could have a real player here.

No word yet on any of the original web series slated to come out through the yet-to-be named site. Check back for more details on that front. For those that missed The Line during its brief summer run on Crackle, here’s a little taste: