NextNewNetworks - Newest Web TV Startup

Posted by Phil Butler on March 9th, 2007

NNN Next New Networks is a new startup by former MTV and Nickelodeon executives Herb Scannell and Fred Seibert. The cable TV innovators are getting back together to start a series of video web sites that they have dubbed “micro-networks”. The topics of these networks are to be niche topics like fashion, comic books, car racing and cartoons.

According to a story by Brad Stone of the NYT, the company will announce that it has received $8 million in seed capital, partly from the Pilot Group, which was created by Robert W. Pittman the creator of MTV. Jonathan F. Miller, former head of AOL, has also committed investment and will join on the board of directors of the fledgling company. Mr. Miller, who left America Online last October under pressure from his bosses at Time Warner, cited the founders' cable experience as the reason he is backing the company. The press section of NNN's web site has other information available if you are interested, and the site has the look of a fledgling Beta already. We are hoping to get in the door as soon as all the shelves are up!

Next New will blend elements of old and new media in to what they call “hybrid entertainment” that is a cross between YouTube user generated content and traditional TV. The network will be starting with 6 Web sites including:

Fast Lane Daily - Daily news for the auto enthusiast.

Threadbanger - Five minute weekly show discussing homemade clothing and culture.

Channel Frederator - Weekly animation programming.

VOD Cars - A curated collection of video on car culture.

The founders of the new video network believe that the Web will allow for opportunities similar to those at the advent of cable TV. The investors and innovative creators believe that they have found a blank canvas for creative people to draw a new media experience upon.

Even though NNN is only starting with 6 networks, they have aggressive plans to acquire 30 new shows in the next two years. Each of these shows will target a specific hobby community. The company currently has 13 employees, who will be experimenting with what is attractive to users, and who will not hesitate to replace content that is not popular.

We continue to see widespread migration of ideas and money from traditional programming towards Internet based platforms. This is all very exciting and can only lead to improved, innovative and enjoyable viewing experiences for consumers. I am thinking this set of networks might just be the hobby aspect (This Old House, Extreme Makeovers and Pimp My Ride) of the coming Web TV stampede. This is cool stuff!

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