In short, a webisode is an episode that you watch on the web. Web + episode = webisode. Webisodes create a web series, a series of episodes released via the internet or mobile/cellular devices. A web series is a part of the growing genre of digital entertainment called web television.  Web television shows are short, usually running 2 to 7 minutes in length, episodic, and produced season to season. 

In 2006, a few independent web series started to gain popularity on youtube. Most notable was lonelygirl15, which recently ended on August 1, 2008.

lonelygirl15 focused on a fictional teen named Bree, whose youtube name was lonelygirl15. The show does not reveal that it is fiction to its audience, but it became known to the general public that the show was fiction. After the fictional status was revealed, the show expanded to include more characters and their video blogs.

Social networks sure helped the expansion of web television.  Most notable are youtube and myspace.  Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick, producers of the popular series My So Called Life, created a web series called Quarterlife.  Quarterlife was the first Internet series created alongside a social networking website, quarterlife.com.  In 2007, Quarterlife debuted on Myspace.com and was later distributed on NBC.  The show followed a bunch of twenty-something artists who are breaking out in the digital generation.

Digital media is on the rise is tinsel town. In 2008, online programming became less strange to viewers, and creativity SKY ROCKETED.

In short, ABC created a web series called "Squeegies," NBC created the sci fi series Gemini Division starring Rosario Dawson, and Warner Brothers relaunched the WB as an online network. Web television was on the rise.

2009 saw the formation of the International Academy of Web Television.  The Academy oversees the selection of the annual Streamy Awards.   The Streamy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in digitally produced original shows created for broadband distribution. 

I recommend watching the new web series from MWG Entertainment called My Two Fans. Do you have a best fan? No, I didn't mean friend, I mean fan. F-A-N. FAN. I don't have one, and I sure don't want one. Kate from My Two Fans has a best fan. Actually, she has two best fans, Franklin and Teddy. They're relationship is so random, and I'm not quite sure it's healthy. These two fans follow Kate around like little servant boys and help lead her in the right direction. They're like her very own Jiminny Cricket.

Come to think of it...I do want a best fan! I'd like someone to follow me around all day and make sure that I make the right decisions. Watch Kate on new episodes every Monday and Thursday at www.mytwofans.com and let's see where her fans lead her!