A New Paradigm in Video Content

NPBN, the New Paradigm Broadcast Network, is a new, innovative, and cutting edge television and internet broadcast network dedicated to delivering entertainment for the nation’s ever-changing African-American and Latino audiences. Focusing on entertaining, empowering, and compelling content for these communities, NPBN is attempting to present a new and hopeful vision for entertainment that establishes an entirely new paradigm for what a broadcast network can be.

“The New Paradigm Broadcast Network isn’t just redefining the traditional media mold-it’s breaking it entirely,” said NPBN Founder, President and CEO Landon Taylor. “NPBN will deliver refreshing reality, instead of the same tired stereotypes that have been all too common on America’s airwaves. We’re bringing new energy to the airwaves and the Internet by re-imagining entertainment as uplifting, educational, and reflective of the real world in which millions of us live today.”

“NPBN.com expands the possibilities of interactive media, allowing viewers to connect meaningfully, not only with each other, but also with the network itself,” said NPBN Vice President for Business Development, Casandra Moreno. “We have every confidence that our network will resonate with its target audiences because that’s who we’re counting on to help us build it.”

In addition, NPBN presents a revolutionary program geared to nurture young creative’s in developing challenging and prosperous careers within the entertainment industry. “The groundbreaking Digital Media Academy at NPBN.com gives young artists and filmmakers the opportunity to not just share their work, but to discuss it constructively and thoughtfully with an engaged and supportive community,” said Rolando Nichols, CEO of Centro TV and an NPBN Digital Media Academy Partner. “I decided to partner with NPBN in support of the DMA to ensure that America’s next generation of filmmakers is not only diverse, but also competitive with the top talent worldwide, expansive in their thinking, creative in their execution, and forward-thinking in their outlook.”

A privately funded company, NPBN.com will continue to grow, evolve, and expand its capabilities throughout the summer which will lead-up to NPBN’s broadcast launch in multiple markets for the 2009 – 2010 broadcast season.  NPBN has also put together an impressive team as well.  Vanessa Rodriguez-Spencer, Senior Manager of the Programming team, began her career in casting and has worked for some of Hollywoods hottest shows including HBO’s Entourage and The Sopranos.  Throughout her work she’s noticed there were few roles for people of color and is “interested in content that truly represents us, versus people who are just deciding on who we are and what we are.”

NPBN plans to rely specifically on the Internet to build community with users and allow them to “build the series.” Via Internet broadcasting, the aim to build a community that will utilize the web to engage the viewers while also offering users an opportunity to vote on submitted content. The overall content strategy will start with the internet, move to television, and lastly be accessible and distributed through mobile.  The goal is to make the programming interactive and “for the people, by the people.”

From a licensing standpoint, the DMA is not fully developed, but NPBN plans to offer completed material provided by content producers who are interested in licensing. Growth strategies in terms of content include plans to build out content during the first year, filling out 2 hours of block programming based on online feedback.

NPBN revealed its partnership with Success Magazine exclusively to Black Web 2.0, called ‘Success Corner’ which will include a series of webisodes that will air. Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine, will be influential in developing wealth building tools and resources for the program.

When NPBN launches as a broadcast network for the 2009 – 2010 season, it will seamlessly integrate with www.npbn.com to create a truly 21st century media company that reflects the modern reality of African-Americans and Latinos. Despite the challenges that may arise, CEO Landon Taylor remains  optimistic. In his words, “We realize we are in a David vs Goliath competition, it wont be because of me, my team, or capital, it will be because of the power of the idea and the people who want it to happen.”

Category: Digital Media, Strategy, web 2.0 | Tags: Digital Media, npbn, online video, video content