Joost Redux

Posted by: Seth Shapiro

For those who didn’t hear on Monday, Joost has announced its first major deal, with Viacom. Press release bills Joost as “the world’s first online global tv distribution platform” and “the world’s first broadcast-quality Internet television service”. The deal gives the Kazaa/Skpe juggernaut access to MTV (including VH-1 and Comedy Central), Paramount and BET content ? all on a non-exclusive basis I believe. All content will be free to customers. Some excerpts:

Joost will allow users to have free access to thousands of programs and channels not readily available on the Web. Through Joost, viewers can watch programming from many of Viacom’s brands on their computers through a customizable platform with advanced television viewing features such as links that lead to more information or related websites based on the content; and a variety of plug-in applications, such as instant messaging, message boards, and news tickers.

MTV will offer popular shows, both past and present, including Laguna Beach, Beavis & Butthead, Real World, Punk’d and My Super Sweet Sixteen, while COMEDY CENTRAL will feature episodes from Stella, CCP’s and Freak Show. Nickelodeon, CMT: Country Music Television, MTV2, Logo, Spike TV, mtvU, and Gametrailers.com will also provide content. VH1′s offerings will include episodes of Flavor of Love, Surreal Life, and I Love New York. BET’s Networks’ offerings will include some of its biggest shows, including Beef, DMX: Soul of a Man, Comic View and recent smash hit American Gangster. Also, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage and Paramount Classics will be providing full-length feature films from its catalog of classics and recent releases.