• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, June 1, 2005

The online edition of Sports Illustrated went live Tuesday with a crash-and-burn broadband video segment to complement this week's print feature spotlighting Tony Stewart and the world of dirt-track car racing. Posted on SI.com, one video features magazine author Lars Anderson interviewing Stewart about his experiences racing at the Eldora Speedway, while another includes more rams than an Appalachian mountainside.

This is the first of many such content crossover arrangements Sports Illustrated has planned for the rest of 2005 heading into 2006, said Jeff Price, vice president and chief of marketing at SI.com. "The idea is to play both mediums to their strengths," said Price. "We're looking forward to great online/print opportunities for the editions coming up that will be devoted to college and pro football."

The publication's goal is to continue to increase the content and value of Sports Illustrated subscriptions, so it continues to justify its $50 yearly price tag in an ever more competitive media climate, Price confirmed.

"By my estimation," said Price, "with the print and online components to Anderson's, I can easily see a fan spending 20--and even over 30--minutes on this one story."