In a reversal of the trend of distributing branded TV programming to the Internet, Comedy Central is bringing original Web programming to late-night television viewers, the cable network said Monday.

Dubbed “Web Shows,” the half-hour weekly series, which will air at 2 a.m. ET/PT and premiere Monday, will include a mix of animation, live-action narrative and comedy programming from Comedy Central’s Web site, Motherload. The network has ordered six episodes.

The programming block will also feature the AtomFilms webisode “The Punk Group: Fat Girls on Bicycles,” marking the first collaboration between the network and the short-film Web destination that its MTV Networks parent acquired in August.

Lou Wallach, senior vp original programming and development at Comedy Central, said the series would be made up of eight or nine 2- to 3-minute shorts. A “rooster” character will provide commentary and tie the content bits together.

While shows featured include the animated “Baxter & McGuire,” the celebrity-mocking “Balloon Heads” and the satire “Golden Age,” AtomFilms said its content also fits the sensibility and style of the show.

copyright © 2007 Reuters. All rights reserved.