Comcast, the US cable group, became the first media company to conclude a content deal with an online video project being developed by News Corp and NBC Universal. Under the arrangements of the deal, Comcast will supply clips from its E!, Style and Golf Channel networks for distribution on the new venture and in return it will receive a share of associated advertising revenue. As a matter of fact, with this Internet video joint venture the cable giant Comcast will be able to maintain its aggressive drive to create a strong online presence for itself.
The NBC/News Corp. venture has plans to start a video site this summer that will showcase thousands of hours of TV shows and movies. In addition to Comcast, that content will be also distributed by AOL, MSN, Yahoo and News Corp.’s MySpace.com. Speaking over the deal with Comcast, NBC CEO Jeff Zucker said, ‘Comcast’s participation is yet another affirmation of our strategy to place top-quality, protected content in as many places as possible’. Comcast, the leading U.S. cable operator, will also distribute the online video site through Comcast.net and Fancast.com, which is a new entertainment site scheduled to be launched this summer.
Moreover, Comcast’s participation in the joint venture will be wider compared to other portal partners. The cable company will also contribute programming from its various cable networks, such as E! Entertainment Television, Style, G4, Versus and the Golf Channel. Additionally, it will also provide video distribution technology from its thePlatform holding, which it acquired last year.
Announcing the agreement, Comcast Chief Operating Officer Steve Burke has said, ‘We are pleased to have the best of NBC and Fox’s TV content available to our customers on Comcast.net and Fancast.com. Making TV content available on multiple devices will enable our customers to view their favorite shows on television, online and on video-on-demand.’
The deal follows Comcast’s acquisition last week of Fandango, a website that includes film information and ticket sales. The portal will be operated by a new company that will be located in New York and Los Angeles, and that will have its own advertising sales team.
