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New Media News Every Morning

News Corp., NBC Universal add CNET Networks as strategic content provider and distributor

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cnet.jpgNews Corp. and NBC Universal announced a comprehensive, multi-year content and distribution agreement with CNET Networks for their premium online video joint venture. CNET Networks, which owns popular web properties such as TV.com, GameSpot and CNET.com, will provide thousands of clips to the new destination on a non exclusive basis. In addition, CNET Networks has also agreed to distribute the new site’s library of licensed content, adding its 129 million unique monthly users to the reach of the News Corporation, NBC Universal venture.

“A pioneering online media company, CNET Networks has long understood the value of creating richer, more authentic experiences online,” said George Kliavkoff, Chief Digital Officer, NBC Universal and interim CEO of the joint venture. “We are delighted that they will be joining us as both a content provider and distributor, ensuring that we continue to add to the depth and breadth of premium video available on our site and on our video network. In addition, we further extend the reach of our protected content to their highly engaged user base.”

The announcement represents the second non-equity content agreement for the News Corporation and NBC Universal venture. Recently, Comcast Corporation joined as a non-exclusive content provider and agreed to contribute content from E!, Style, G4, Versus and Golf Channel.

Originally posted on May 9, 2007 @ 6:03 am

Aggrega’s Pandora for Videos

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Aggrega - music video sharing

Aggrega‘s concept is great: a Pandora for music videos (it also has a photos section that I haven’t tried). Unfortunately, while it’s home page looks inviting, and its playlist page is cleanly laid out, it’s “create channel” algorithm is sorely lacking. Pandora’s algorithm shines, being able to offer very relevant suggestions when you specify an artist name or song title. Aggrega’s not there yet.

For example, I entered two artists from the 1980s as “seeds”. (They were not obscure, but I can’t remember what I used.) Aggrega came back with a ginormous list in two very widely separated columns. It was painful trying to checkmark and scroll down, checkmark and scroll down. This is the first thing that has to be fixed, followed by better relevance. This morning, though, I tried “U2, Elvis Costello”, and it produced a list of about 4 artists, including U2 twice. Not sure what that’s about, and there were no recommendations for additional, similar artists. Except that one that I’d never heard of. Surely there are other artists to recommend. I can think of half a dozen British acts that match Costello’s “angry young man” years.

Yes, I know Aggrega’s in beta, and yes, I really think I could love Aggrega, but not just yet. For now, it’s just flirting with me, teasing me with what could be. For the time being, I can produce a more compact visual content using SplashCast and YouTube, building a complete music video channel in a single player, with auto-forward between videos.

However, if Yahoo and Microsoft are on acquistion sprees, to keep up with Google, here’s my suggestion. One of you pull out your wallet and buy both Aggrega and Pandora, then combine their functionality. Do that, and you’ll have one of the coolest applications online. If these video “channels” can be transferred to a portable video device, even better. And if you merge, like the Friday blogospheric buzz indicated, then you can’t lose. Right?

Originally posted on May 7, 2007 @ 1:42 pm

National Banana announces strategic relationship with PodTech Network

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National BananaNational Banana, another in a long line of comedy wannabes trying desperately to succeed on the Internet, today announced a strategic relationship with PodTech. National Banana will become the featured comedy channel on the PodTech Network and PodTech will be a key syndication and distribution partner.

According to Jerry Zucker, National Banana’s founder and chief creative officer, “This is not to embrace some vaguely Marxian mineral determinism – linking nations’ power to natural resources in a way that downplays factors such as religion, nationalism, or charismatic leadership. What seems clear is that fuel has been one of several pivots that have invariably developed related infrastructures of corporate, governmental, and cultural commitment.”

John Furrier, CEO and Founder of PodTech added, “We are pleased that National Banana is joining our network of professional producers. Most people think of us as just the leading online media network for technology and business, but actually we have the funniest, over the top, edgiest, open source, RSS, PGC, viral contextual behavioral media APIs, AJAX, Web 2.0 platform, next generation media mash up, social media optimization, disruptive emerging SEO, CPM, CPA, CPC, CPV, CPX advertising algorithms… and comedy.”

Originally posted on May 8, 2007 @ 6:13 am

Stars get paid in YouTube

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happyslip.jpgYouTube started to share advertising revenues with the creators of some of its more popular channels, including LisaNova, renetto, HappySlip, and some other stars.

According to the YouTube blog, the chosen channels have “built and sustained large, persistent audiences through the creation of engaging videos, their content has become attractive for advertisers, which has helped them earn the opportunity to participate on YouTube as a partner.”

Originally posted on May 4, 2007 @ 7:55 am

Sony late again… but launches video-sharing site anyway

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eyevio.jpgSony Corp. launched a video-sharing site in Japan where users can share videos and blog about them, creating a potential rival to Google Inc.’s YouTube. It’s not a little late for Sony. It’s late.

The eyeVio site allows users to upload video clips, watch those of other members and subscribe to channels featuring content from commercial providers as well as models, designers and writers. Sony said it would carefully monitor the videos uploaded by users. How? It was not explained.

Again, late.

Originally posted on April 27, 2007 @ 8:49 am