Fox and NBC Universal Shows To Be Placed Online

In a broadside against the rise of video sharing websites, Fox and NBC Universal are set to launch an Internet video distribution network to provide top television and film online.
The site will debut this summer with thousands of hours of full-length programming, movies and clips, representing premium content from at least a dozen networks and two major film studios.
The extensive programming lineup at launch will include top films like 'Borat', 'Little Miss Sunshine', 'Devil Wears Prada', and many hit shows including '24', 'House', 'Heroes', 'My Name Is Earl', 'Saturday Night Live', 'The Simpsons', 'The Tonight Show', and 'Prison Break'.
The new site’s initial distribution partners AOL, MSN, MySpace and Yahoo! will provide users on the Internet with unlimited access to the site’s vast library of content.
This media alliance will offer consumers free video and create a compelling platform for advertisers, targeting the rapidly growing audience of online video consumers.
Also sewn into the deal is advertising from Cadbury, Schweppes, Cisco, Esurance, Intel and General Motors and others.
Peter Chernin, President and Chief Operating Officer of News Corporation: “This is a game changer for Internet video. We’ll have access to just about the entire US Internet audience at launch. And for the first time, consumers will get what they want - professionally produced video delivered on the sites where they live. We’re excited about the potential for this alliance and we’re looking forward to working with any content provider or distributor who wants to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity.”
“Anyone who believes in the value of ubiquitous distribution will find this announcement incredibly exciting,” said Jeff Zucker, President and CEO of NBC Universal. “This venture supercharges our distribution of protected, quality content to fans everywhere. Consumers get a hugely attractive aggregation of a wide range of content, and marketers get a novel way to connect with a large and highly engaged audience.”
Hits from the studios’ vast television back catalogue will be available free on an ad-supported basis.
(SP/JM)