LIN TV to Use VMIX Tools for Online User-Generated Content

Providence, R.I.-based station group LIN TV has inked a deal with online video hosting and social networking company VMIX.

Under the agreement, LIN will offer VMIX’s customizable tools and technology to allow user-generated videos, photos, audio, blogs, ratings, polls and other community-based content and features on LIN TV’s station Internet sites, as well as future portals and microsites in planning.

VMIX technology allows users to upload online video, photos and music as well as allow site operators to manage, review, analyze and filter content to protect against copyright infringement and material deemed inappropriate to site sponsors. It also allows online users to post ratings, comments, blogs and forums. LIN TV, which says it is the first station group in the U.S. to launch user-generated content across all of its stations’ Web sites, plans to offer its new capabilities in July.

“The partnership with VMIX enables us to harness the power of our loyal viewer-base and their creativity in user-generated content to deliver breaking news, community information, and entertainment to our growing online audiences and interact with them in an entirely new way,” said Vincent Sadusky, president and chief executive officer of LIN TV. “This is a significant milestone for our company and further advances our strategic vision of leading the industry in the convergence of local broadcast television and digital innovations.”

LIN TV owns and/or operates 29 television stations, reaching approximately 9 percent of U.S. television households.