"Nightly News" host Brian Williams' blog--found at dailynightly.msnbc.com--will be featured alongside new and archived news shows, according to Angela Clark, MSNBC.com's deputy editor for creative media. "This is very much an experiment for us, but we intend on accompanying much of the interactive content available along with the news," she said.

Clark said the availability of the "Nightly News" online in no way diminished the potency of the evening newscast when it airs in consumers' local broadcast market. "This only lets us play to the strengths of the Internet, while continuing to make the most of television."

Ads aired with the "Nightly News" on television will not transfer online. But in the future, agencies might be able to purchase ad space on both the TV broadcast and Webcast, an MSNBC.com spokeswoman said. "Online and offline buying will stay two separate buys for a while, but we see that changing," the spokeswoman said.

This news story is important. I recommend that everyone read it.