• by Wendy Davis  @wendyndavis, May 1, 2006

Yahoo intends to launch a new video program created for the Web, "Hook Me Up," as part of the launch of its new technological advice site, Yahoo Tech.

The show, which will go live May 15, marks Yahoo's second attempt to create a reality program to support the tech site. The original pilot, "Wow House," which cost an estimated $100,000 to produce, was scrapped after it didn't test well, Scott Moore, vice president of content operations at Yahoo, told reporters last week in New York.

He added that Yahoo Media Group head and former ABC exec Lloyd Braun suggested tapping TV veteran Michael Davies to revamp the show. Davies had been executive producer of ABC's "Wife Swap" and "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?"

Davies entirely reworked the concept from the original "Wow House" premise, which focused on pitting two families in a competition to determine which could do a more successful tech upgrade for $10,000. The family to receive more audience votes would be able to keep the new products, under the original concept.

The new version removes that competition element and focuses more on the personalities of people who request tech makeovers, Moore said. So far, Yahoo has shot two complete "Hook Me Up" shows, each of which is made up of three short, three- to-five-minute clips.

Verizon Wireless is exclusive sponsor for first three months. Logos will be visible on sites throughout the show, and products will be integrated into episodes. For instance, show host--tech broadcaster Becky Worley--will use a Verizon Wireless device to make calls during the course of the episode. But the makeover itself will not be driven by advertising, and manufacturers of products recommended as part of the makeover will not pay for those plugs, Moore said.