REVVER will begin testing a new ad model. The site currently offers a clickable billboard at the end of videos. However, this month it will experiment with pre- and post-roll video ads for the first time. As with the billboard model, content creators will share ad revenue 50/50 with Revver.
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS has revamped the Charter.net portal, and added a large collection of video from cable programmers. The new site features content — including sneak previews and even some full episodes — from HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, and a host of others. Charter VP of high-speed Internet Himesh Bhise says the site aims to add value to Charter’s 2.5 million broadband subscribers, not to become a destination for all Internet users.
DISNEY is launching the Magical Blu-ray Tour, to educate consumers about Blu-ray technology. The tour will visit 18 malls across the country, offering live presentations, interactive kiosks, and viewing stations giving first-looks at upcoming films in HD. The tour will be sponsored by Panasonic, who manufactures Blu-ray players.
JUPITER MEDIA has acquired Mediabistro.com for $23 million. The site features job listings focused on the media industry, training seminars, and on-demand media-related video. Mediabistro, which began in 1996, grew from a simple job listing site into the “Fishbowl” network of sites focused on individual cities.
COMSCORE reports that 75% of Internet users in the US viewed streaming online video in May, for a cumulative 8.3 Billion Internet video streams. Average minutes viewed per person increased from 151 minutes in January to 158 minutes in May. The average number of streams increased from 59 to 63. Of note — 50% of viewers visited a Google site to watch Internet video.