AFI BLOG: Media and Technology

Content Distributor Channeling Online Television - Los Angeles Business Journal

Next.tv under Dave Networks includes videos from CBS and HSN.

Once solely a video distributor, Dave Networks saw revenues grow five times over the past year after its segue into the social networking scene, revamping 20 Web sites for TV shows such as “Price Is Right.”

Now it’s moving into Internet TV.

Called Next.tv, the online platform brings together more than 100 channels of content from media companies such as CBS, Hearst Corp. and Home Shopping Network. It’s now in a test stage, and will be viewable next month. By then, company executives said that the site will contain more licensed content.

Web TV is an emerging hot market, led by companies such as Westwood-based Veoh Networks Inc. Veoh is backed by Goldman Sachs and Tornante Co., former Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Michael Eisner’s media investment company. Recently, competitor site Hulu, a much anticipated joint venture by NBC and Fox, also launched.

Both Veoh and Hulu get high-resolution video-streaming by using what’s known as peer-to-peer technology.

Rex Wong, chief executive of Dave Networks, said Next.tv runs on a similar proprietary streaming technology that allows clearer viewing. “It’s a much nicer viewing experience without the stop and stutter you get on most video sites.”

Next.tv will offer subscription service for ad-free content, but some of the TV shows and movies will be viewable for free with ads. Most of the 6,000 movies available on the site will range in cost from $1.99 to view and $9.99 to buy.

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