Meredith says the content will be original home and garden programming “with an attitude”: Meredith Video Studios, its original programming development and production business, will launch an original channel called “Digs” on YouTube in early 2012. Digs will launch with seven original series, with each episode four to five minutes in length. Meredith Video Studios creates network-quality video based on Meredith’s magazine brands. It also produces the Meredith Video Network, which includes including BetterTV.com, Parents TV and MyFirstBaby.com.
“The ‘Digs’ channel launch marks another step in expanding our broad video portfolio, and increases Meredith Video Studios distribution of innovative and engaging content to YouTube’s worldwide audience,” said Paul Karpowicz, President of the Meredith Local Media Group. “Our new YouTube video channel is a nod to our expertise in original programming creation.”
Original series scheduled to launch:
“Jordan in the House” – Jordan Reid is a modern-day domestic queen of decorating and entertaining, and writes every move she makes, even the mishaps, in her hit blog.
“Door Knock Design” – A DIY expert shows up at a viewer’s front door and turns her home design dreams into reality in one day. It’s a crash course in home decorating, and a chance to translate big visions into doable one-day projects.
“Gardens of the Rich and Famous” – Celebrities and the super-rich show viewers gardens, ponds, gazebos and green houses, and give viewers a taste of what life’s like in their backyard.
“Porcelain Thrones” – In each episode, they explore the coolest, wackiest and ritziest bathrooms ever designed, and hear the story behind it.
“Home-Made” – On city sidewalks and in town markets, they meet craftsmen who are making it as vendors of homemade goods. From jewelry to quilts to cowboy boots, they take viewers to their studios where they learn the method and story behind their one-of-a-kind wares.
“Ready, Set, Celebrate!” – Every occasion is a time to party if you have a little creativity and the right team on your side. From the decorations to the caterer to the nanny service, they take viewers inside the party.
“No Man’s Land” – We all know the term “man cave,” but where is the lady’s room? This series takes a look at her answer to the man cave be it a powder room, green house or a scrapbooking room. And viewers learn how to make a room of her own.
RBR-TVBR observation: There’s great cross-promotional potential here with Meredith’s 13 O&O TV stations and their websites as well. It’s interesting, though, that the launch is on YouTube, which is currently spending $100 million to bring professional, high-quality programming to 100 new video channels. It would seem that Meredith and YouTube should be in competition for eyeballs here.
