The UK’s biggest online-only publisher CNET Networks will next week continue the expansion of its online video offerings with the launch of a standalone on-demand video site aimed at consumers.
CNET TV, which is set for launch on Monday, will initially offer 60 minutes of programming per week, focusing on music, film, video games and technology.
CNET is stressing that high production values are the main selling point for online video and that they have been hiring experienced television journalists.
“Like it or not, web online video is going to be held up to the standard of broadcasting”, said CNET business development manager Geoff Inns, who oversees the company’s video operations.
Each weekly programme on CNET TV will run to between 7 and 15 minutes, and be available online at CNETtv.co.uk. The new programmes include:
- A film programme, Reel Weekend, which has an interview with actor Sienna Miller prepared;
- Music programme Encoded which will focus on reviews of up-and-coming bands; and
- An automotive technology programme, Under the Bonnet, which will lauch with a review of the Toyota Prius hybrid car.
“Many publishiers’ strategy is to distribute video to different locations on the web, but ours is to centralise and become a destination site,” Inns told Press Gazette.
Inns said the service should be profitable within its first year.
HP has signed up as an exclusive sponsor for the first two months of the service and will be running a campaign for its Dragon high-end entertainment laptop.
CNET now has 10 video journalists and is building a second video studio in its new headquarters in Southwark, south London. The video team will work on CNET TV in addition to its existing role in producing video programming for CNET’s established consumer and business websites.
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