SAN FRANCISCO – A web portal best known for new technology reviews with top notch help and how-to information, CNET, today announced the launch of CNET TV.
The new video on demand service packages a selection of CNET’s video content for distribution on television and online. CNET TV will launch initially with partners Cox Communications, TiVo, and TVN Entertainment, as well as on CNET in the second half of 2006.
As consumers are increasingly interested in taking advantage of a world that has gone digital, CNET’s videos have grown dramatically in popularity, with over 100% increase in video streams in the last year, says the press release. Videos range from instructional to informative to entertaining, and are integrated throughout CNET’s family of sites, which include CNET.com, News.com, and Download.com, to enhance the user experience.
CNET TV will provide online users and TV viewers a single destination where they can access all of CNET’s original video content. Video content includes CNET’s video franchises such as Insider Secrets, Weekend Project, and First Look from the Labs. For online users, the content will be programmable based on topics of interest, or by selecting a favorite "channel," made up of the CNET franchises. CNET TV will also feature special news reports, coverage of special events such as the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, user-generated videos, and regularly scheduled programming to keep consumers updated on the day’s news and trends.
Interactive tools will let users engage with CNET’s editorial personalities, build custom playlists they can share with friends, and click to buy products or read full reviews.
The VOD partnerships follow a successful trial run with TiVo in which CNET’s videos, offered to TiVo Series2 broadband connected subscribers, were found to be very popular, says the company. Cox Communications, the third largest North American cable operator; TiVo, the PVR pioneer; and TVN Entertainment, which provides leading MSOs and telecommunications companies more than 2500 hours of VOD programming from over 100 content providers, will package CNET TV to fit their own platforms and customers.
"As a digital media company born of the web, we understand how to create original video programming that helps demystify technology and brings users as close to the product as possible without seeing it in-person," said Joe Gillepsie, executive vice-president of CNET. "As a result, we’re finding that in today’s on-demand world, our content is in-demand. Our charter relationship with TiVo is an indicator that consumers and on-demand providers want the kind of specialized content CNET produces. These deals give us another platform to reach today’s most passionate and engaged audiences."
CNET TV launches with Best Buy as a charter sponsor.
