Babelgum Web TV poised for US expansion

The company said Wednesday it has hired two executives based in New York who aim to increase Babelgum's advertising revenue and sign new content deals.

"The U.S. is a strategically important market for Babelgum," CEO Valerio Zingarelli said in a news release. "Its size and regional business hubs require on the ground presence. We intend to emerge as one of the leading Internet TV platforms, especially in independent programming."

Babelgum registered 210,000 unique users in the United States in April, according to the most recent figures available from ComScore, which studies Internet use.

Ethan Podell, a TV executive with more than 30 years experience who founded the Orbis Communications startup and also worked for HBO and CBS, is the new president of Babelgum US. Michael Rosen, formerly of Bloomberg, News Corporation's New Digital Media Group and Showtime Networks, is executive vice president in charge of global advertising sales.

Babelgum, founded with a $13 million investment by Fastweb founder Silvio Scaglia, launched its service last year, streaming free internet into home computers over broadband connections. It competes with Joost, a similar venture by the founders of Skype.

Babelbum programing is supported by advertising and offered free to viewers. Its main content areas are independent film, travel, nature, adventure sports and music.

Content providers include The Associated Press, PBS, BBC, 3DD, Shine Limited, Gong Anime, IMG, Off the Fence and international film festivals such as Seattle, DC Independent and Encounters.

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