Yahoo has joined Current TV, former Vice President Al Gore's media company, to create a new online programming venture that distributes both professional and user-produced content.
The goal is to Webcast “viral” videos that are attractive to advertisers and are introduced with short commercial spots. Yahoo has not previously included commercials with content created by non-professionals.
The deal means that Gore, previously an adviser to Yahoo competitor Google, will be working simultaneously with both high-profile companies.
The new service is called the Yahoo Current Network and launched last week with four channels of programming. Madeleine Smithberg, a former executive producer of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” produces “Current Buzz,” one of the news-related segments. Other channels feature travel, action, sports and cars.
Amateur videographers whose clips are chosen for the Internet service will be paid $100 per clip.