Buzzwire adds new content to streaming media offering

By Giselle Abramovich

July 2, 2008

Reams of streams

Buzzwire Inc. has added 22 new content partners for its mobile streaming media service, giving its subscribers access to more content while on the go.

The partners include online content providers such as Next New Networks, 60Frames, Rooftop Comedy, Goodnight Burbank, Abigail's Teen Diary, Comedytime.tv, Tubemogul, National Banana, Ocean's 7-11.com, Gagfilms.com, Crossroad Mobile, LoftCity, Cinemarv, Headzup.tv, 5Min.com, The Classic Wines Minute, Political Lunch, 20 Minute Yoga, Somagirls, For Your Imagination, Young Hollywood and Vmbc.tv.

“We have partnerships with wireless carriers Verizon and AT&T,” said John Kelley, chief marketing officer of Buzzwire. “Now their subscribers have access to original content on their mobile phones.”

Buzzwire users can now view the content they like, create their own personalized mobile media channel and share their favorites with family and friends.

Verizon Wireless subscribers get the content for free since it is ad-supported.

AT&T subscribers are charged for the Buzzwire service.

Buzzwire is currently working with mobile ad networks Millennial Media and AdMob for ad support.  

The company plans to offer advertisers mobile video ad opportunites in August.

The strategy behind partnering with the carriers is simple.

Because of the fragmented market, it can be difficult to get distribution with carriers. Buzzwire’s partnerships with carriers makes it easier for content providers to get their material out in front of a mass audience.

The most notable among Buzzwire's new content partners is Next New Networks, which claims to serve more than 25 million video views per month across its distribution network including YouTube, iTunes and TiVo.

Next New Networks will provide networks such as Channel Frederator, Indy Mogul, Fast Lane Daily, Veracifier, VODCars, Viropop, Barely Political and Threadbanger to mobile viewers through Buzzwire.

Buzzwire is a mobile streaming media service that streams just about anything onto a mobile phone. Whether users want their favorite Internet videos, hometown sports scores, news or even the Las Vegas police scanner, Buzzwire streams it to a phone with just one click and no downloads.

“You have a lot of established online brands out there whose next logical move is to move their content to mobile,” Mr. Kelley said. “The problem is they know what they are doing online and don’t know how to approach the mobile Web.

“We address that challenge by helping online content providers not only serve their content via mobile, but also optimize for the mobile user,” he said.