Sony gets first look at Wattpad stories

US studio Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has agreed a deal with Wattpad to develop the web storytelling platform’s content for the small screen.

The deal gives SPT a first look at new Wattpad stories, which the companies will then coproduce as TV series.

Aron Levitz

Wattpad and Sony will work together to identify and develop narratives from among the half-a-billion stories that have been uploaded to Wattpad, bringing diverse and emerging voices to screens around the world. The deal will be overseen by Eric Lehrman, Wattpad’s head of content development and production.

Wattpad says it currently has 70 million monthly users engaging with stories from every genre. It claims its technology can identify promising new IP and writers and provide audience data for the development process.

The deal follows the recent announcement that Wattpad, SPT and LA-based prodco Stampede are developing Death Is My BFF for US cablenet Syfy.

The Death is My BFF series of stories from Katerina E Tonks has clocked up more than 62 million reads on Wattpad. Lindsey Rosin (Cruel Intentions) is slated to write the series.

Aron Levitz, head of Wattpad Studios, said: “Our entertainment partners all over the world have seen the power of our data-backed approach to IP discovery and development. Wattpad stories are some of the most innovative and creative that have ever been written. The stories and diverse voices on Wattpad deserve to be heard all over the world.”

Wattpad already produces Emmy-nominated series Light as a Feather with AwesomenessTV and Grammnet for Hulu.

To date, nearly 1,000 Wattpad stories have been turned into books, TV shows, films or digital projects.