Anheuser-Busch has announced it will launch a new online entertainment network on February 4, Super Bowl Sunday called Bud.TV The site will feature content similar to late night TV. They have also teamed with Aristotle Inc., based in Washington, D.C. to implement an age verificication system for the online network.
In April the age verification system will be running on all of the company’s Web sites. “We chose Aristotle because of its experience in implementing cutting-edge identity verification systems that work quickly,” said Tony Ponturo, vice president of Global Media and Sports Marketing, Anheuser-Busch Inc. “Aristotle’s Integrity system will enhance our ability to admit only those adults of legal drinking age to our beer-branded Web sites.”
The site will have both live and on demand programming and will have up to seven channels. It will feature branded content for Anheuser-Busch products along with independent programming including celebrity interviews, comedy, user generated content and sports. Music downloads will also be available.
Visitors to the site will be required to provide their first and last name, date of birth, and zip code. Aristotle will attempt to validate the information while searching its database of public records in real time. Users who are of legal drinking age will then be allowed to enter the site.
“Going the extra mile to do the right thing is the very definition of good corporate citizenship. And Anheuser-Busch’s use of robust age-verification technology in this manner is further proof of the company’s commitment to corporate responsibility,” said John Phillips, chief executive of Aristotle, Inc.
Anheuser-Busch seems to be more concerned with the age verification system than they do the actual launch of Bud.TV. In the litigious society we live in it’s easy to understand their concern.
The question remains if Bud.TV will be the king of online content or just another YouTube lite.
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Mike is a staff writer for murdok. Visit murdok for the latest ebusiness news.
