TVKnob Offers Web TV With Social Forums

YouTube-like web service, TVknob.com claims to take Internet broadcasting to the next step, by combining TV broadcast service, interactive web portal communities (like social networking sites) and original programming.

TVKnob Video and Audio Players, designed by web innovator Doug Watkins, allow Internet users to access music and videos by independent broadcasters, and choose from an array of online television and radio stations with multiple channels.

Watkins, founder of TVKnob said "YouTube just woke the public up to the possibilities. Our concept offers broadcast technology solutions to reach vast new markets of broadcasting, pod-casting and personal entertainment. There are serious issues facing the future of independent arts and the way it all works. This technology puts in motion a television and radio station network that anyone with the talent and the equipment can take an idea and then turn it into a personalized yet global TV or Radio Channel. It puts the power where it should be — in the hands of the broadcaster rather than the distributor. We would like to see it become the catalyst that bridges the Internet to the TV in the home."

Web users are required to register themselves for the free service, but broadcasters are required to pay $99 per month, for a channel of their own. Members also have an option of uploading their short films for the TVKnob film festival, free of charge.