V, Vh1 Boost Interactive Content

Music channels, Channel V and MTV's Vh1, are gearing up to boost their interactive content.

Channel V is reportedly, soon going to launch a user-generated Web site, called channelv2.com.
The Web site channelv2.com, which will be similar to YouTube, is going to be an interactive video content site where users can post their video and share content with other users, and in return - earn a couple of extra bucks. To start with, channelv2.com will host episodes on the Big V Concert, which was held last month, and shot by amateur bloggers under "Made by you - the blogumentary" initiative. The episodes will be aired as 30-minute episodes on the channel. The site will have content from Channel V's library, for which its developers are planning on eventually charging users for downloading content.

Talking about this initiative, Saurabh Kanwar, Vice President of Content and Communication, Channel V, said they hope to extend the brand Channel V through the Web site. And while users can download content for free, users who upload their video or audio content will be paid. Users are at liberty to download content, and also make copies of the same sans any security concerns.

In a similar development, MTV Network's international music and lifestyle channel, Vh1, has partnered with Nokia for its user-generated content initiative, 'Shot by you'.

Keertan Adyanthaya, Vice President and General Manager, Vh1, explained that viewers have to log on to the Nokia Web site, and listen to the track, 'Voice' sung by Indian rock band, Pentagram. They would then have to shoot video clips appropriate for the track. The channel will integrate the relevant video clips to create a music video to be aired on the channel anytime this week.