• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, January 16, 2006

NBC Universal's Bravo Network announced plans last week to launch a suite of ad-supported broadband sites throughout the coming year. The broadband sites will build on the network's main hub online, BravoTV.com.

Many of the sites are designed to support existing Bravo properties like "Project Runway," as well as pop-culture blogs, viewer-submitted content, and exclusive video. BrilliantButCancelled.com, a site spun from the Trio series of the same name, is expected to launch later in the year. TrioTV.com--NBC Universal's arts and pop culture channel, which recently lost its cable presence--already relies on BravoTV.com for Web traffic.

Networks are making significant investments online--as in the case of MTV's "Overdrive," VH1's "V Spot," and Comedy Central's "MotherLoad." E! Networks is expected to launch its own broadband channel today, "The Vine @ E! Online," with live coverage of the Golden Globe Awards.

Other Bravo properties that can claim a presence online this year include the network's new hour-long reality series titled "Work Out," which chronicles the life of gym owner Jackie Warner; the fourth season of the hair-salon reality show "Blow Out"; the second season of "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List"; and an hour-long reality cooking competition, "Top Chef."