Current TV To Launch Broadband Channels

In a bid to revive its trailblazing status within the user-generated content movement, Current TV will launch a series of broadband channels, each focusing on a niche topic that appeals to its 18-to-34 target. Current is expected to unveil plans for its major online expansion--believed to be ad-supported--next month.

The channels, which will be programmed by what Current calls "viewer-created content (VC2)," will focus on cars, travel, action sports, health and games.

The Al Gore-fronted network--now in 28 million homes--caused some excitement when it debuted a year ago, promising to give young people a voice by airing a significant amount of user-generated programming. (About one-third of the network's content now comes from viewers, along with some ads and on-air promos.)

But since then, the term "user-generated content" has burst into the public consciousness and propelled the extraordinary growth of Web sites YouTube and MySpace.

Now, Current appears eager to return to the vanguard of the movement. Regarding its new broadband push, the network uses language reminiscent of the media's fascination with YouTube, describing its content as "short, compelling videos that become virtual phenomenons on the Web" and "the type of content millions will want to watch online."

A Current rep said in an e-mail message that she had "no knowledge" of the coming broadband channels, and neither did her contact at the network.

But word of the ambitious broadband play comes from extensive job postings on both Current TV's Web site and other Internet locales. One ad, for example, seeks "production coordinators for new broadband channels on the topics of cars, travel, action sports, health and games." Others seek assistant broadband channel managers in autos, travel and action sports (skating, surfing and snowboarding).

The initiative is described as "specific channels for aficionados of original content, tailor made by and for those who watch it."

Next story loading loading..