• by May 1, 2007

Leveraging the strength of its live performance franchise, Knitting Factory Entertainment is launching a new digital content effort that will offer video content and distribution services to both emerging and established artists.

The Knitting Factory, best known in New York and Los Angeles as a venue for live performance, sees an opportunity to offer musicians and their record labels digital video of their live performances for use on Web and social networking sites, digital radio and other promotional venues.

KFE, which also runs venues in Spokane, Washington and Boise, Idaho, will offer high-definition and SD format video and package performance clips however the artist and label wishes.

The goal is to offer digital video clips and content for as many different platforms as possible--the Web, radio, broadcast, wireless devices and even games. Partners for video distribution include YouTube, AOL Music, Napster, Brightcove, Revver and XM Satellite Radio, among others.

KFE says its approach is to offer content owners turnkey promotional licenses to enable seamless aggregation and distribution of video content.

"Our goal is to build the audience for live music and performance and to connect audiences and bands. It's about sharing live performances," said Jared Hoffman, president and CEO, KFE. He said labels are looking for cost-efficient and quick ways to promote, package and differentiate bands--offering video from live performances is one way of doing that.

"We want to provide promotional services to bands and labels. We'll provide a pool of video content," Hoffman said.

On XM, Knitting Factory has a weekly show "Live from the Knitting Factory on XMU" and is expected to deepen its connection with the satellite radio service and other media partners by creating premium content channels that it will "own" in terms of editorial voice, music selection and video clips.

On Spinner, AOL's music channel for emerging artists, KFE plans to build a branded channel.

Hoffman said there are also plans in the works to launch an online social network where fans can share pre-show buzz and "night-after" show chatter.

KF presents some 5,000 live performances a year. The Knitting Factory in New York celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.