Meredith launches Better.tv video site

Cory Bergman April 10th, 2007

Meredith took the wraps off its first broadband network, Better.tv, that combines the resources of the company’s magazines, TV stations, books and websites. Better.tv is targeted to women with content ranging across 20 channels, such as food, family, home, style, remodeling and entertainment. “We reach over 75 million women through our media properties, and have a unique understanding of how to deliver service based information to them in a highly engaging way essential in today’s fast paced 360° media environment,” said Meredith Publishing Group President Jack Griffin. The site is comprised of original programming — shot by Meredith’s production arm in the company’s own studios — featuring experts from the group’s magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens and Ladies’ Home Journal. Better.tv video will also be incorporated into BHG.com, which is relaunching later this month. And it’s all powered by Brightcove.

A smart move for Meredith, if you ask me, especially when you consider the distribution and revenue opportunities. Press release follows below with more details…

PRESS RELEASE — April 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –
Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP), one of America’s leading media and
marketing companies, announced today the launch of Better.tv
(http://www.better.tv), its first ever broadband network. Better.tv offers
viewers original video content and programming based on the assets from
Meredith’s extensive portfolio of magazines, television stations, books,
websites, and live events, according to Meredith Publishing Group President
Jack Griffin and Meredith Broadcasting Group President Paul Karpowicz.

Better.tv features over 20 channels of video information covering a
comprehensive range of topics, including food, family, home, style,
remodeling, entertainment, relationships, fitness and health. Programs and
videos featured on Better.tv range in length from 2 to 30 minutes.
Consumers have the ability to enhance their viewing experience with tools
that allow them to customize and share their ideas, insights and
user-generated video content.

Better.tv’s original programming is created at studios in New York, Des
Moines, and Portland, OR, by Meredith Video Solutions, the company’s
in-house production unit. It features experts from across Meredith’s
well-known and highly trusted magazine brands such as Better Homes and
Gardens, Ladies’ Home Journal, More, Family Circle, Parents and Fitness, as
well as talent from Meredith’s television stations, book division and
exclusive on-air talent. Better.tv will also film on location. Among the
first video content airings is an exclusive “behind the scenes” look at the
Family Circle Cup women’s tennis tournament, featuring player profiles and
interviews with many of today’s top professional women’s tennis players.

“One of the great strengths of Meredith is our rich and diverse
assets,” says Griffin. “We reach over 75 million women through our media
properties, and have a unique understanding of how to deliver service based
information to them in a highly engaging way essential in today’s fast
paced 360° media environment.”

In addition to the stand-alone Better.tv Internet site, Better.tv is
also available on BHG.com, Meredith’s flagship website. BHG.com is
relaunching this month with an enhanced array of Web 2.0 features including
video, recipe wikis and blogs from over 25 editorial contributors. Led by
BHG.com, Meredith’s existing websites currently reach 10 million unique
users, enabling Better.tv to launch with an audience comparable to many
more established broadcast media properties.

“We have a proven ability to work seamlessly across our assets to reach
consumers and find new platforms that help our marketing partners connect
with them,” says Karpowicz. “We are confident that Better.tv on the web –
along with a companion Better.tv program that will air on Meredith
Broadcasting’s stations — will set the industry standard for cross media
content delivery and interaction.”

Better.tv further strengthens Meredith’s ability to expand its reach
with younger women, according to Meredith President and Chief Executive
Officer Steve Lacy.

“One of our key strategies is to find new ways to reach the next
generation of Meredith consumers — the daughters of Baby Boomer women,”
says Lacy. “The creation of Better.tv — paired with the re-launch of
BHG.com — significantly increases our ability to connect younger women
with our trusted brands. It also enables us to expand our digital assets
and offerings to marketers eager to reach the wide band of women we serve.”

The customized technology for Better.tv will be supported by
Brightcove, an industry leading provider of technology for broadband media.