TowerOne.com

ITV has joined the Open Media platform, giving free and open access to premium ITV content to the Bebo community of 40 million users worldwide. According to a release on the Bebo site, ITV will have a member profile on Bebo, and the ITV profile will host numerous media channels, each promoting individual programmes. Bebo users will be given the opportunity to become Fans of programmes meaning they will be notified when new content is uploaded to the profiles.

The broadcasters first channel launch will be US acquisition Gossip Girl, ITV2, available at http://www.bebo.com/gossipgirl from today, with other channels planned for rollout later to include, amongst others, ITV2 Comedy shows.

Each channel will be branded with programme-specific skins designed by itv.com. Users may adopt or use the programme skins from ITVs Bebo profiles on their own - potentially creating thousands of mini show posters in the online space. Users will also be able to integrate skins and video content into their own profiles potentially creating thousands of brand champions for ITVs programmes and channels.

The programme channels will draw on the itv.comsBrightcove video player with video content to include teaser clips and interviews. Blogs, galleries, a wall for fans to post comments, polls, forums and links back to the official channel home (itv.com) may also accompany the profiles. Users are able to select clips and embed the ITV Brightcove video player into their profiles, helping to promote clips among their peer groups.

Full Release