Online

Comcast’s user-generated site Ziddio is partnering with Endemol and HBO for video submission contests. The winner of the "Ten Day Take" contest with Endemol will earn a chance to have their video produced in Hollywood, with both the pilot and the shoot itself available at ziddio.com and through Comcast’s on demand service. The "No Talent Nation" search for comic talent offers winners the chance to perform live at HBO’s US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, CO. — NBCU, Viacom and News Corp may soon announce an online video venture to distribute their TV clips, according to the New York Times. Slated to compete head-on with YouTube, the venture still needs to address possible incompatibilities between various contracts and entities owned by the 3 media giants. — CinemaNow will beginning this month offer downloadable TV content from Showtime and A&E at cinemanow.com. Included will be series from The History Channel and The Biography Channel, and Showtime’s "The L Word." CinemaNow will also offer for free the premier ep of Showtime’s "Sleeper Cell: American Terror." — Azureus struck a partnership with BBC Worldwide to offer British comedies such as "Red Dwarf" and "Coupling" through its broadband service at zudeo.com. The service will be available to US customers beginning early next year.