NBC threatened to sue YouTube, inks VMIX deal

NBC’s corporate counsel sent a six-page letter to Google last week, reports the NY Times. The letter threatened to sue the company “if, among other things, Google failed to deploy filtering technology.” Google says it’s working to fine-tune the promised filters, and gave no estimated time to launch. Meanwhile, NBC has inked a deal with user video site VMIX.com to create an “NBC Channel” featuring full-length shows like Heroes, 30 Rock and Scrubs. “Since its inception, VMIX.com has distinguished itself by employing human content screeners to filter inappropriate content and to protect the intellectual property of content, both copyrighted and user-submitted,” reads the VMIX press release, which follows below in its entirety…

PRESS RELEASE — LOS ANGELES, Calif. — March 13, 2007 — VMIX Media, the leading artist-driven interactive media company, today announced the latest addition to its online content lineup, the NBC Channel. This new custom channel, hosted and controlled by NBC Universal Television, is available at VMIX.com and will contain popular content from NBC shows such as “30 Rock,” “Heroes,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Scrubs” and “My Name Is Earl.”

“We are very excited to add the NBC channel to the VMIX.com community and to provide NBC with additional ways to interactively share their content, engage with viewers, and extend their online community,” said Greg Kostello, CEO and founder of VMIX Media. “The addition of the NBC Channel to our fast expanding content lineup further extends our commitment to delivering original and premium content online for everyone.”

In addition to clips from popular programming, the NBC Channel will also contain promotional videos for shows like “Heroes” developed exclusively for online audiences. The latest “Heroes” clip is a parody called “Zeroes” about ordinary people with relatively pointless abilities, available at http://www.vmix.com/channel/2161000/?videoid=2189819.

VMIX.com is a popular online entertainment platform for creative artists and consumers. Since its inception, VMIX.com has distinguished itself by employing human content screeners to filter inappropriate content and to protect the intellectual property of content, both copyrighted and user-submitted. Entertainment companies such as Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Bravo TV, FOX Home Entertainment and now NBC have turned to VMIX.com to host channels featuring their content.

For more great content from VMIX.com and NBC Universal, go to www.vmix.com/nbc .

About VMIX Media, Inc.
VMIX Media is an interactive media company that bridges the gap between content creators, publishers and distributors. VMIX Media markets both consumer facing and white-label solutions, including: VMIX CORE, a technology platform that provides media companies and content producers with customizable tools and solutions to engage consumers through participation, user-generated content and community interaction; VMIX Interactive, a promotional engine for major brands and media companies; and VMIX.com, a popular destination website dedicated to providing original and premium audio and video content.

VMIX Media is the trusted online video partner for news and entertainment companies like FOX Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Bravo TV and Tribune Interactive. VMIX Media, founded by the makers of MP3.com, is based in San Diego, California. For more information, visit www.VMIX.com .