Clicker.com Aims To Become Internet Video Usher

MICHAEL LIEDTKE

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Web surfing is becoming more like channel surfing as television shows, movies and music videos pour onto the Internet.

That's why pointing people to their favorite TV episodes and flicks could emerge as next big opportunity in Web navigation. Former online search executive Jim Lanzone is hoping to lead the way with Clicker.com, a free service debuting Thursday.

"We are trying to build the ultimate programming guide for the coming age of Internet TV," said Lanzone, who ran IAC/InterActiveCorp's Ask.com until last year.

After two months of invitation-only testing, Clicker is welcoming all comers to peruse an index that includes 400,000 TV episodes, 50,000 music videos and roughly 30,000 movies that are part of Netflix's streaming library or Amazon.com's video store.

Streaming from Netflix requires a subscription while Amazon.com sells or rents video downloads. Most of the other material in Clicker's database is shown for free.

The selections range from television staples such as "Seinfeld" to Web-only productions such as "The Basketball Jones."