CNN has entered into two new media partnerships to bring more alternative content to its website, possibly aware that its online readers, having got their daily dose of serious news headlines, soon surf away to entertainment sites. CNN presumably hope that by hosting more alternative feature-based content they can keep readers locked within their web platform for longer.
The first deal is with the sometimes controversial Vibe magazine, or rather Vibe's web TV spin off VBS.TV, which is headed up by quirky director bloke Spike Jonze and Vibe founders Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi. Despite having a reputation for pumping out schlock content, often taking in some sex or violence along the way, the VBS content CNN will tap into initially is of a more serious nature, it being a series of short programmes about the aforementioned Smith's travels through the war-torn Liberia, talking to people who live there who are busy trying to move their lives, communities and country on after a decade of violence.
CNN's other new content partner is Seattle-based record label Sub Pop, who will provide video coverage of some of its bands, kicking off with the Handsome Furs on tour.
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