Back in March, NBC Universal and News Corp. announced a joint venture that will license video content to Web sites. A sort of broadcast media answer to YouTube. ABC and CBS choose not to join in believing their fortunes lied elsewhere.

Yesterday, CNET Networks said it has secured a multi-year content and distribution deal with that joint venture. Under the nonexclusive deal, CNET will contribute video clips from its Web properties, including CNET.com, TV.com and GameSpot.com. They will not, however, become partial owners in the joint venture.

The un-named joint venture is expected to launch this summer. It represents the most proactive response yet by any major TV network to the popularity of YouTube. It will feature full-length TV programs, movies and other content from almost 20 networks and two top movie studios.

The JV's distribution partners include MySpace, Yahoo, AOL, which is owned by time warner, and Microsoft's MSN.