CNN and Buzzfeed have partnered to launch an online video news channel on YouTube.
According to a PC Mag report, the channel is an attempt by the blog to become a news destination for young adults and will feature mash-up video clips hand-picked to be shared over social media networks. The "CNN BuzzFeed" YouTube channel will be based on archival and current content from CNN, and is aimed at a demographic that advertisers are keen to reach through the Web.
"From Web video's infancy to a massive shift to mobile video viewing, the community and ecosystem of YouTube is at the heart of the social Web," said Ze Frank, BuzzFeed's executive VP of video, in a statement. "BuzzFeed's massive audience is hungry for new, interesting video formats; YouTube gets that better than anyone, and we're elated to be working with them."
The first video on the channel - "Amazing Rescue Moments On CNN" - is a compilation of the best rescue scenes in CNN history, with snippets from the Chilean miner rescue, among others. The partnership not only promotes BuzzFeed's attempt to be taken more seriously, but also boosts CNN's efforts to stay relevant among younger audiences.
The initial plan is to create about three videos each week for the channel, according Jon Steinberg, BuzzFeed COO. The channel will be launched sans advertising, which Steinberg believes allows for more freedom. "The more agile way to do it is to launch without letting advertising products dictate editorial content," Steinberg said, hinting that this will not always be the case. "BuzzFeed and CNN will figure out ways to do various ad formats and sponsored content down the road."
According to Steinberg, the launch and development of the platform will set BuzzFeed back a "low eight-digit sum" over the next two years. The popular trend-focused blog already has several dedicated YouTube channels, but the partnership with CNN marks its most comprehensive allegiance with a traditional media company.
Content from the new channel will appear on BuzzFeed's site via a new category called CNNBuzzFeed, and will also be featured on CNN.com.
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