Channel [V] boards the UGC bandwagon with Channelv2.com

Channel [V] is getting into the User Generated Content space with its interactive video content site Channelv2.com. The site will encourage users to post their videos and share content with the general public. The videos, which will be available for free download, will be reviewed by a panel at channelv2.com before they go public. The channel also intends to reward cash to the producers for their content and even selected videos on the channel.

Commenting on this initiative, Amar K Deb, Head, Channel [V] India, said, “From our two recent initiatives -- Direct your way to [V] and Made by You -- we found out that there are two types of viewers. The audience in a broad manner wants to watch the channel and some also want to participate with the channel.”

The channel plans to upload some of the videos generated from these initiatives on the site along with some vintage promos of Channel [V]. The new site will also have a Creative Commons license that will enable copyright holders to grant some of their rights to the public while retaining others; with Creative Commons the copyright holder retains the flexibility to control the rights to their creative works. This license will allow the sharing of content between web surfers and downloads to registered users without any cost.

Speaking about the revenue model for this project, Deb observed that after the beta phase of the site, the channel is looking at an advertising based revenue model. Also commenting on the promotions involved for the site, he explained, “We will be promoting through the bouquet of channels on the STAR Network and also with virals. We are also using the social networking site ‘Myspace’ to promote it.”