AOL, Warner Bros offer classic TV shows over new broadband net
The latest in the new-distribution-platform-for-TV-content craze: Thousands of episodes from some of the most popular TV series will make a comeback exclusively on AOL.com in early 2006, via a revenue-sharing deal with AOL and Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution. The new broadband network, "In2TV," will offer full-length streaming episodes from series such as Welcome Back Kotter, Sisters, Beetlejuice, Lois & Clark, La Femme Nikita and Growing Pains--free and on-demand. Along with full-length episodes, In2TV will also include unique interactive features such as games, quizzes, polls, trivia contests and more.
This programming will serve as a cornerstone of the AOL.com website's commitment to delivering broadband video through AOL Video on Demand (http://www.aol.com/video) and AOL Video Search (http://www.aol.com/videosearch and http://www.aolsearch.com), as well as through AOL Television (http://www.aol.com/television).
"With In2TV, we are enabling Web users to experience and interact with television programming in an entirely new way, and creating a new distribution platform for TV content," said Kevin Conroy, EVP/AOL Media Networks. "This is an exciting new way to experience these shows, allowing Web users to enjoy what they want, when they want it. We view this collaboration as truly transformational and yet another demonstration of our commitment to making our next-generation AOL.com portal the best destination for video on the Web."
In2TV will provide advertisers with in-stream broadband advertising as well as opportunities for sponsorships and accompanying banner ads. Video ads, 15-second and 30-second spots, will be limited to a total of 1-2 minutes within each 30-minute episode as compared to eight minutes of advertising on broadcast television. So far, no announcement about advertisers yet--probably not until launch says AOL. However, they are currently talking to Pepsi (Mountain Dew, specifically) about possible sponsorship.
In2TV site will organize the TV series into six channels
LOL TV: Welcome Back Kotter, Chico and the Man, Perfect Strangers, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and Head of the Class.
Dramarama TV: Sisters, Falcon Crest, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Spenser: For Hire and Eight is Enough.
Toontopia TV: Beetlejuice, Freakazoid, Pinky and the Brain, Histeria! And The New Adventures of Batman.
Heroes and Horrors TV: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Babylon 5, Freddy's Nightmares, The adventures of Wonder, and "V."
Rush TV: La Femme Nikita, Kung Fu, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr, The Fugitive, Dark Justice and more.
Vintage TV: Growing Pains, Alice, F Troop, Maverick, The F.B.I.
Other entertainment streams include:
"Starchives" - Episodes featuring stars before they were stars, including Brad Pitt on Growing Pains, and Jay Leno on Alice
"Punchlines" - Great viral comedy clips
"TV Karaoke" - Sing-alongs with favorite TV show themes
"Classic Creme de la Creme" - Showcase of the most memorable episodes of a given series
"Betcha Didn't Know!: The Ultimate TV Quiz" - Fans can test their TV trivia skills
"RetroRunway" - Fashion from TV series
"StarFavs" - Stars' favorite episodes
"Where Are They Now?" - Find out where your favorite stars are now
AIM interviews with cast members
Month long salutes to specific series, stars, and genres with extensive episodes available online and numerous interactive features. Examples could include "Kotter-thon" and "Teri Hatcher-A-Thon"
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