WIGS officially launched on May 14, 2012.[11] The channel's first season includes 100 episodes of short films, series and documentaries.[11] "Jan," written and directed by Jon Avnet, was the first series released by WIGS.[12] While the channel's tagline "Where it gets interesting" does not fully match the acronym WIGS; on their website, the words "Where It Gets . . ." are used to begin to describe each series, and the last word is changed. For example, for the first series, "Jan," the tagline is, "Where It Gets Spicy."
[13]
On February 19, 2013, Fox announced the launch of an event series and multiplatform programming department and a multiyear partnership with WIGS.[14] The multiyear programming, marketing and distribution pact with WIGS was intended to serve as an incubator for original content that can be programmed on Fox or other networks.[15] WIGS will fall under Fox's Shana C. Waterman's purview.[16]
In May 2013, WIGS celebrated its first anniversary and combined viewing figures of over 33 million. The channel was at that point YouTube's number one channel for scripted drama.[17]
Beginning in June 2013, WIGS released seven of its series ("Blue,"[18] "Lauren," "Jan," "Christine," "Ruth & Erica," "Audrey," and "Vanessa & Jan") on Hulu under the FOX banner.[19] The series were recut into fewer, longer episodes for the new medium.
In September 2013, WIGS announced that "Blue" would return for a 3rd season, adding Eric Stoltz and Alexz Johnson to the cast.[20]
Series
The channel features series that follow the lives of different women. The stories include a poker player on a losing streak, a mother with a secret life and one that follows a woman on a series of speed dates. Many of them follow a woman's professional life, romance, war, or family structures.[21]
Blue is a mother with a secret life. She’ll do anything to keep it from her son. But her past has other plans. Written by Rodrigo Garcia and Karen Graci. Directed by Rodrigo Garcia.
A woman's attempt to shed her past and reinvent herself at a speed dating event is thwarted when she runs into her probation officer. Written by Mattie Brickman and directed by Patricia Cardoso.
A post-op nurse experiences the world of the twilight room where painful secrets of her patients under anesthesia are revealed, and the consequences play out. Written by and directed by Jon Avnet.
A bubbly young woman tries to rise up the ranks in the culinary world, but her appetite for both love and haute cuisine complicates her journey. Written by Leah Rachel and directed by Betty Thomas.
A doctor is forced into an uncomfortable decision when her patient turns out to be the daughter of an old friend. Written by and directed by Rodrigo Garcia.
A woman struggles with her mother's reluctance to make the life changes necessary in light of her increasing frailty. Written by and directed by Amy Lippman.
In the near future, a tough job market results in a creative solution for handling dangerous convicted felons. Written and directed by Mykelti Williamson.
An actress vying for the role of Mother Teresa sees a chance to play the part in her real life. Written by Mitch Albom and Jesse Nesser and directed by Mitch Albom.
When a soldier reports an assault, she is forced to choose between what she loves and what's right. Written by Jay Rodan and directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.
A poker player on a short losing streak is invited to a high-stakes home game, but the stakes for her son are what matter most. Written and directed by Ami Canaan Mann.
An aging actress. A forbidden lover. A wife who does 90%. Experience brief moments in the eclectic lives of these characters and more in our series of short films. Written by and directed by Rodrigo Garcia.
Jan handles a camera like a pro. Now if only she can do the same with the seductive actor, her charismatic ex, and her prickly boss. Written by and directed by Jon Avnet.