WB Television Cozies Up to Joost

Although its launch has had its hiccups, Joost has got people talking and broadcasters thinking about finding new uses for their existing material.

Viacom was the first major broadcaster to ink a deal with Joost, thumbing its nose at YouTube the entire time. Now Warner Bros. Television is getting in on the act with two new channels: WBTV: Sci-Fi Fix will er, air science-fiction shows like Invasion, My Favorite Martian and Max Headroom (don't think this lets you off the hook, WB; I still want a Headroom DVD box set); WBTV: Before They Were Mega Stars will feature old TV shows starring today's celebrities back when they were paying their dues.

I'll admit I'm a little surprised at how quickly a second major media corporation followed Viacom's lead -- I suspect that the lack of the word "download" and the presence of the word "advertisers" had something to do with it. Let's see if anyone else decides they want to play.

A postscript: I've received a few requests for Joost invitations since my post last week. Sure, no problem, but since my inbox is insanely cluttered, I'll ask folks to send their requests to a new address I've created for the occasion: joost@5x5media.com. (Those of you who already e-mailed me, I'll take care of today -- no need to re-send.) In the interest of time management, this offer is only good for the next 48 hours, after which I'll switch off the address and future requests will vanish into nothingness.