AOL Rolls With Video

Time Warner's (TWX Quote) AOL unit is planning to launch a pay-for-download video service by the end of the year, as people grow more accustomed to watching content on the Web.

AOL, which already has one of the largest video libraries on the Internet, is in discussions with broadcast and cable networks about allowing their content on its site, says Kevin Conroy, AOL's executive in charge of video strategy. He wouldn't elaborate further. AOL will allow downloads to personal computers and would like to enable people to use its service to interact with Apple Computer's (AAPL Quote) popular iTunes site if Apple will permit it, he says.

Pricing details for the service are still being worked out and Conroy wouldn't divulge the names of any of the companies that are in discussions with AOL. He said content providers won't limit their Web distribution to AOL.

 AOL and its partners produced more than two dozen original shows last year and will create even more this year, he says, declining to elaborate further. AOL's broadcast of the Live 8 concerts last summer is considered by advertisers to have been a watershed moment that demonstrated the Web's potential for mass entertainment. AOL's offering was praised by critics and fans who panned how the concerts were shown on television.

The video push underscores the rationale behind AOL's decision last year to put content that had been solely available to its subscribers onto its public portal aol.com. AOL sees the download service as a complement to its existing video offerings.

"We have been very focused on online programming and creating a truly distinctive programming lineup for a long time," Conroy says in an email. He adds that "we're thrilled that the introduction of AOL.com has brought our programming onto the open Web" and says, "As a result, your content is now showing up in the results of each of the most popular search engines, which was not possible when it was behind the subscription wall."

To view Jonathan Berr's video take of this article, click here.