Web-based broadcaster 21e partners for arts content

Email | Print By Milt Capps

04-03-2006 2:15 PM — Updated: 9:30 am CDT
Nashville-based 21e, the eight-year-old web entertainment broadcasting network, announced yesterday it has formed a partnership with Chicago-based Towers Productions. The agreement will allow the two organizations to acquire, develop and distribute broadband content over 21e's web-based television platform, within an e-commerce model.

In a Tuesday morning interview with NashvillePost.com, 21e Executive Founder and CEO Rick Davis confirmed 21e investors include John Ingram, vice chairman, Ingram Industries; U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander; Dr. Robert Frist Jr., who is identified as chairman of the Frist Family Internet Partnership; Crawford Communications (Atlanta); and, Alex Spanos, owner of the San Diego Chargers.

21e-Towers services are set for demonstration this week during the MIP-TV programming event at Cannes, France. Under the agreement with Tower, 21e will create a broadband portal for arts programming that will include films from the Broadway Archive Primetime Specials, a library of Broadway plays works of dramatic literature produced for television during the past 50 years. The 21e platform generates revenue from advertising, e-commerce and merchandising, subscription, and transactional streaming and downloads of video files.

Davis said in yesterday's release, “21e was created to provide the best-in-class television experience for broadband users.” He added, “Enhancing the quality of the web video experience drives revenues from multiple sources. Our goal is to provide users of 21e’s broadband network with great programming, the highest quality of service on the web, and instant access to merchandise and services within an integrated programming experience. At the same time, we ensure our programming partners of robust security and rights management within the broadband environment.”

Towers Productions will produce and source programming for global broadband distribution using 21e’s Web-based television platform in the documentary, music, news and current affairs, fine arts, sports and international and ethnic genres.

Jonathan Towers, president and executive producer of Towers Productions said in yesterday's joint statement, “We want to enable [21e] to get their programming in front of the widest possible audience and to monetize it. Together with 21e, we will help them to optimize the value of their programming assets by providing editorial and technical services, repurposing content for the web, and creating the greatest possible scope for exploiting content across all distribution platforms.”

During the 2000 President Election, 21e mounted "Politically Wired, 2000," ten days of live coverage of the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primaries, produced in collaboration with National Journal magazine and its service for political junkies, "The Hotline." Earlier, 21e webcast Woodstock '99.