CBS plans to make its television content available on over 400 different websites, executives said on Wednesday. CBS Interactive president Quincy Smith said CBS is committed to open, non-exclusive online partnerships. The network has seen traffic on CBS.com grow rapidly since embracing new online partnerships. The number of unique monthly visitors has jumped from 21 million in May to the current 131 million. CBS currently partners with 24 sites, including Brightcove and Comcast’s The Fan.
NIELSEN plans to roll out solo meters this month. The “personal video meters” will plug into the headphone jack on iPods, cellphones, and other video-capable devices. Nielsen is creating the devices as part of its initiative to track mobile media consumption.
NICKELODEON plans to invest heavily in web-based casual gaming. The Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group will spend $100 million in the next two years developing new games and gaming platforms. Games will be both subscription and ad-supported, and will appear across several MTV Networks properties. MTVN has also invested in the adult gaming space with AddictingGames.com.
YOUTUBE has launched customizable players for its video-sharing site. The new feature allows users to create a more channel-like experience, with playlists of their favorite videos. Users can also customize the player color, name, and layout. The enhancement fixes a major limitation of using YouTube for digital distribution, and brings it more in line with Bribghtcove, Veoh, and other online video sites.