• by Wayne Friedman , May 31, 2007

The News Corp. and NBC Universal video venture has added a number of cable networks to its as-yet unnamed business: Fuel TV, Oxygen, Speed, Sundance Channel and TV Guide.

The venture, which will launch later this summer, already has a vast distribution network with over 80% reach on the Web, including deals with the most trafficked sites: AOL, MSN, MySpace, Yahoo, Comcast and CNET.

Three of the new cable partners--Fuel TV, Speed, and Oxygen--will distribute mostly short-form content on the network.

Sundance Channel will deliver a larger array of programming--full-length original series, Webisodes, short films and exclusive original short-form content. The deal will include programming from Sundance Channel's new weekly environmental block, The Green.

TV Guide will supply short-form video content, as well as recommendations for the best shows, movies and music on television, celebrity interviews and highlights from TV Guide Network.

The News Corp./NBC Universal venture has already signed content agreements with CNET and Comcast Corporation, which has agreed to contribute content from E!, Style, G4, Versus and Golf Channel.

News Corp. and NBC say its content deals don't involve equity in the venture as part of the transaction.