Former cable TV host seeks to conquer the Web
WASHINGTON — A controversial right-wing commentator who is leaving cable television at the end of the month plans to take his daily show to the Web and charge a monthly subscription…
WASHINGTON — A controversial right-wing commentator who is leaving cable television at the end of the month plans to take his daily show to the Web and charge a monthly subscription for it in an experimental move.Glenn Beck, who has built up a loyal conservative following during the past two-and-a-half years on Rupert Murdoch's Fox News Channel, announced on Tuesday that his new online venture, GBTV, will launch on September 12.GBTV.com will charge $4.95 a month for access to Beck's two-hour daily show, his New York-based production company, Mercury Radio Arts, said.It will charge $9.95 a month for GBTV Plus, which will include a simulcast of Beck's radio program, documentaries and special events in addition to his daily show.US consumers have become increasingly comfortable paying for entertainment on the Web such as movies through Netflix but it remains to be seen whether Beck can convince them to open their wallets and pay for his show online.Beck, whose "Glenn Beck" show on Fox News Channel attracted up to three million viewers at its peak, believes they will and said in a statement that "GBTV is the future.""The confines of traditional media no longer apply," he said. "GBTV is about getting active in the community, participating in stories, and finding new ways to deliver news, information and entertainment directly to the audience."Christopher Balfe, president of Mercury Radio Arts, said "lots of people are talking about the digital content revolution, but few are willing to risk it all and place a huge bet on the future."With GBTV, Mercury is doing just that," Balfe said.The new show will be live-streamed in high-definition at GBTV.com or available on demand, Mercury Radio Arts said.It will be available on various platforms -- from computers to iPhones to iPads -- and will be streamed live on weekdays for two hours from a set being built in midtown Manhattan.GBTV will rely on support from both subscriptions and advertisers and Beck, speaking on his radio show, said that because his network will no
last modification 2011-06-08 16:00:21
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