Gore's Current TV enlists Web users to shape news

By Eric Auchard

SAN FRANCISCO, California (Reuters) - Current, the television network backed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore, is embarking on a new Internet strategy to enlist viewers in submitting video and commentary to create broadcast TV news.

The network, which already lets professional videographers submit video news segments, is going several step further on Monday by soliciting user feedback over the Web and converting submissions into online news as well as pieces for broadcast.

Its network programming runs on cable and satellite broadcasters in select U.S. markets, Britain and Ireland.

Current has embraced several of the most popular Internet trends in reconstituting its own site. Users, once they sign up, are encouraged to enhance Web pages devoted to specific topics, similar to the anyone-can-edit Wikipedia encyclopedia.

In introducing a new site for viewers and contributors at Current.com, the company claims it has created the first fully integrated online and television network that allows users to create and vote what news and information is relevant to them.

"For years, the attempt to unite television and the Internet has basically been one of duplication of the content on another medium," said Current Chief Executive Joel Hyatt, a successful entrepreneur who co-founded the company with Gore.

In early tests, the company has encouraged users to create postings on topics, then upload photos, animation, embedded YouTube videos, cartoons, text comments and Webcam responses.

The 24-hour network is based in San Francisco's digital media district, home to Wired magazine and also new offices of leading Internet companies Google, MySpace and Yahoo.