DULLES, VA and BURBANK, CA — America Online and Warner Bros. are launching what they say is the “first true broadband television network” with a library of classic TV hits.
Thousands of shows such as Welcome Back, Kotter, Chico & The Man, Alice, Growing Pains, Perfect Strangers, Eight Is Enough, and Lois & Clark will be part of In2TV, which the companies say is the largest collection of free on-demand TV shows on the Web. The shows will be available in their entirety and will include interactive features such as TV trivia games and video games, and “viral” videos.
The episodes will be grouped into six themed channels: Laugh Out Loud (comedies), Dramarama (drama), Toon Topia (animation), Heroes and Horrors (sci-fi and horror), What a Rush TV (action/adventure), and Vintage TV (favourites such as F-Troop and Maverick).
The shows can be watched on Windows Media streaming or with AOL’s new Hi-Q video format, which delivers DVD-quality images.
In2TV will offer instream broadband advertising as well as sponsorships and accompanying banner ads. Video ads, 15-second and 30-second spots, will be limited to a total of 1-2 minutes within each 30-minute episode versus 8 minutes of advertising on broadcast television.
Interactive features include viral short-form videos such as “Starplay,” featuring stars before they were stars; “Punchline” comedy clips; “TV Karaoke” theme song sing-alongs; “Creme de la Classic TV,” the best episodes from a series; “RetroRunway” fashion highlights; and “Pilot Theater,” TV pilot episodes. Online video games will include a Growing Pains memory game called “Mike,” similar to the popular 80s game “Simon” and a Babylon 5-themed game called “Spaceoids,” a throwback to the classic arcade game where the user fires away at space rock and debris.
More shows and features will be added in the coming months.
“In2TV breaks new ground as the first true broadband television network. With the largest collection of full length television programming anywhere on the Web, plus interactive features and viral videos all free and on-demand, In2TV will appeal to existing fans as well as introduce these shows to a whole new generation,” said Kevin Conroy, Executive Vice President, AOL Media Networks. “In2TV is another important milestone in the evolution of video on the Web.”
The venture will make full use of Web technology. “In2TV begins to realize the true potential of Web-based TV by putting the viewer in charge of their own TV schedule online,” said Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. “This opens up new opportunities for platforms and program distributors alike.”
