Here is another example of a cable network experimenting with Internet Television.

Nickelodeon has launched a new broadband internet channel called TurboNick. The "channel" will contain 20 hours of original programming including SpongeBob SquarePants. Unlike NICK the cable network, viewers can watch TurboNick on their own time schedule.

The only bad thing I saw was that I had to fire up Internet Explorer because Nickelodeon is oblivious to the fact all the cool kids use Firefox. After finding my IE icon, I can confirm the video quality on TurboNick is TV quality.

Advertisers are showing interest. Nickelodeon has commitments from Topps, General Mills, Kellogg's, Activision and Sony Pictures. TurboNick is using Nick's existing sales force to sell the advertising, consisting of pre-roll :15 and :30 spots appearing no more than once within a five-minute period.




Nick Jr., a Nickelodeon channel targeted at pre-schoolers, is launching a new version of its "Nick Jr. Video" Web-based VOD service. According to Nickelodeon, the new version features improved video quality and more content.

Both long- and short-form programs are available on the service, and all offerings can be viewed in full-screen mode. Other content available at launch includes full-length episodes of the shows, "Dora the Explorer," "Blue's Clues," "Little Bill," "Oswald," and "Gullah Gullah Island," as well as around 70 other videos.

Programming will be refreshed on a bi-weekly basis. Among other things, the new service features playlists, and a host who helps preschoolers navigate through the site via interstitials.