• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, June 18, 2007

In a major coup for the aspiring startup, Brightcove has won video-distribution duties for Fox Entertainment Group.

Now, along with helping Fox's network and studio programmers host targeted video, Brightcove will let each unit expand its reach through syndication to select Web site affiliates and through viral promotion's social media features.

The first Fox properties to incorporate Brightcove's video serving technology will be FX Networks, SPEED and Fox Broadcasting Company. Each property is expected to manage its own monetization strategy through Brightcove's Web TV service.

"Brightcove's tools and services enable us to quickly and easily deploy broadband video on our network Web sites while retaining control over the quality, brand experience, and monetization," said David Baron, vice president, Fox Digital Media.

To harness the present boom in consumer-generated media, Brightcove will help Fox's units recruit and review user-submitted videos. Brightcove will then add them to programmed video content featured on the individual Web sites.

Since its launch last year, Brightcove has attracted a number of top-tier publisher partners, including Dow Jones, The New York Times Company and CBS News. Still, Fox represents the company's first major entertainment media deal.

And Brightcove has no plans to stop there, according to Adam Berrey, the company's vice president of marketing and strategy.

"We want to power video for all the big networks online," said Berrey.

In an earlier victory this year, the company scored $59.5 million in investments from the likes of The New York Times Company and top investment manager AllianceBernstein L.P.

Earlier this year, Brightcove chose video ad network Tremor Media as its primary ad sales partner, and agreed to carry Tremor's network of advertisers on its broad content syndication network, which includes thousands of mid-sized Web sites and blogs.

As a video hub, Brightcove's rivals include YouTube, Metacafe and Joost. Its video syndication service, meanwhile, competes against Roo and Broadband Enterprises.