• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, June 28, 2007

Gemstar-TV Guide is set to introduce the TV Guide Online Video Awards, a Web-based contest for professional online video content specifically produced for the Internet. The contest will include voting by TV Guide readers and Web visitors in some categories and TV Guide editors in others. It covers standard categories like comedy, drama, animation, as well as the Web's often brilliant video productions.

Richard Battista, TV Guide CEO, noted that over the last year, "both the quality and the quantity of this Web-only programming have increased exponentially." At the same time, he adds, TV Guide has significantly increased its coverage and use of digital media "to connect with consumers to further strengthen and extend our brand."

Battista says this is a perfect time for the company to "step in and use our significant editorial credibility, cross-platform reach and consumer fan base to recognize the best new programming that the Web has to offer."

TV Guide will cross-promote the new contest on its various platforms, including its print edition. Nominations will be accepted via TVGuide.com and promotions for the contest--including access to the videos being judged--will appear on the TV Guide Network and via TV Guide Mobile. The winners will be recognized with a live event in Los Angeles scheduled for December 2007, and featured in a two-hour TV special to air on the TV Guide Network.