Over-the-Top-TV Specialist, AnySource Media, in Deal to Distribute VOD from 13 Niche Networks

AnySource Media, a company that offers an over-the-top-TV platform, called Connected HDTV, which it says will be embedded in certain new HDTV sets later this year (note: the company has not yet announced any partnerships with TV manufacturers) and will allow viewers to access hundreds of "virtual" on-demand channels, announced Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with affiliate rights aggregator, PathFinder World Video, to distribute video-on-demand content from 13 of the latter's ethnic and niche networks on a free or subscription basis.

PathFinder-represented networks covered by the deal include BBN (programming targeted at African-American and Latino youth), DreamTV (billed as an outlet for independent producers), TCT and Lifesat (religious networks), Juice TV (Caribbean music), Ebru TV (multi-cultural programming), New Tang Dynasty TV (Chinese programming), RTP Internacional (Portuguese programming), Jaam-e-jam and Rang-A-Rang TV (Persian programming), Salaam TV (Arabic programming), Samanyolu TV (Turkish programming), and Ariana Afghanistan Television. "AnySource Media is leading the charge in bringing together industry partners to create the most consumer-friendly VOD experience available on TV's without requiring a separate box," Claire Cowart, AnySource Media's SVP of content business development, said in a prepared statement. "Using a standard TV remote control, the platform provides easy navigation to free ad-supported video and one-click payment functionality for movies, independent films and full episodes of TV shows, as well as the ability to purchase subscriptions or even merchandise."

AnySource bills its Connected HDTV platform as driving incremental users of Web site video, allowing publishers to preserve their online business models, whether paid or ad-supported. The company says that it creates virtual VOD channels, requiring no special editing or transcoding of video, by integrating existing Web video and ads into its Internet Video Navigator platform, and that it uses existing metadata to create a user-friendly menu that can be easily navigated via a standard TV remote control.

Earlier this month, AnySource announced that TheStreet.com, Break.com, Revision3 ("Diggnation" and "Tekzilla"), and Next New Networks had agreed to make free, advertising-supported content available on its Connected TV platform. "In an environment where advertising rates are under tremendous pressure, Internet sites are looking for unique ways to attract incremental users and drive traffic," AnySource's Claire Cowart said in a prepared statement. "Our platform not only enables online video providers to extend their brands to HDTV's and expand their user audience, but also allows them to deliver their own advertising and keep all revenue generated by those ads." Added Next New Networks CEO, Lance Podell (note: the latter company's deal with AnySource will see it offering content from 15 of its broadband video sites, including BarelyPolitical.com and FastLaneDaily.com): "At Next New Networks we're dedicated to harvesting audience relationships via the channels they choose. Our partnership with AnySource Media allows us to extend our reach to new viewers looking for the HDTV experience. Integration with AnySource Media was a smooth, streamlined process that enabled us to place our premium Internet programming on a new kind of screen."