Yahoo! and Current TV, a pioneer in "viewer created content" (VC2) for television and the Web, have partnered to deliver high-quality video content to one of the largest audience on the Web. The launch of the Yahoo! Current Network combines the best in user submitted videos plus professional, studio-produced content to air side by side in a co-branded environment, leveraging the highly customizable Yahoo! Video platform.
"Current TV empowers young adults to actively participate in creating the television they want to watch, but in a broader sense, we're about giving young adults a voice," states Current TV co-founder and chairman Al Gore. "Current's mission has always been to spark a global conversation among young adults. Partnering with Yahoo! helps us advance this mission."
Yahoo! Current Network's daily video offerings blend pop culture awareness with journalistic sensibilities to offer a smart, irreverent take on trends, news and personalities. Videos created and submitted by users will be featured alongside professionally produced segments narrated by Yahoo! Current Network hosts to inform and entertain enthusiast and mainstream audiences. All Yahoo! Current Network content can be easily found, via a search shortcut, by going to Yahoo.com and searching for "Current."
"Current TV's strengths in producing and programming some of the most creative video content available, combined with Yahoo!'s leadership in online video and user-centered communities creates a unique experience. The new Yahoo! Current Network helps publishers find an audience and be discovered on the biggest network on the planet," said Dan Rosensweig, chief operating officer for Yahoo!. "In addition, the Yahoo! Current Network allows advertisers to reach highly targeted audiences in an engaging environment."
The Yahoo! Current Network debuts with four channels on Yahoo! Video that allow users to view and upload videos, participate in rich communities and share their passions. Each channel will feature a daily selection of the best viewer created video submissions and professionally produced Buzz videos. These featured videos will be programmed into a set of custom branded channels with all content discoverable through Yahoo! Video.
Through user participation features found on Yahoo! Video, including the ability to rate, review and share videos, all viewers can voice their opinions and share their favorite content. Users can personalize their experience by subscribing to channels, grouping videos related by source or topic and making videos viewable from their blogs or Web sites.
Current TV, which launched August 1, 2005, is the first national network created by, for and with an 18-34 year-old audience. The network shows young adults what's going on in their world, in their voice. Current is available in 30 million U.S. homes via Comcast (channel 107 nationwide), Time Warner Cable, and DIRECTV (channel 366 nationwide). For more information, check out www.current.tv.
