• by Wayne Friedman , January 13, 2009

Looking to capitalize on interactive and Internet marketing buzz, CBS and the creators of lonelygirl15 are launching a social networking area for a new mid-season drama--"Harper's Island."

The 13-week mystery will start on April 9. But some weeks before, on March 18, the online social show will debut--produced by EQAL, a social entertainment company that created online video dramas, lonelygirl15 and KateModern, which created substantial social-networking attention.

The site, called www.harpersglobe.com, will feature CBS and EQAL writers producing special online social-media episodes, content and experiences.

The closed-end TV series is about a group of family and friends who travel to a Pacific Northwest island for a destination wedding. One by one, the members of the party are killed.

"Harper's Island" executive producer Jon Turteltaub said in a release: "The multiplatform, interactive elements at harpersglobe.com expand the whole experience of our show.... We have to make our show an Internet event, as well as a broadcast TV event."

Nancy Tellem, president of CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group, said in a release: "Since the pilot phase, the writers have been working with our colleagues at EQAL and CBS Interactive to make Harper's Globe a destination that is a unique yet faithful connection to the television series, while sustaining the curiosity and conversation before and between episodes."

CBS Interactive and EQAL have an ongoing partnership that was struck in May 2008. EQAL also acts as a consulting partner, providing the network with a first look at new multiplatform show concepts developed by the company.