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Bebo to run competition to find child presenters for Current TV

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 04-Jul-07, 17:00

LONDON - Social networking website Bebo has agreed a deal with Current TV, the independent media company co-founded by former vice president Al Gore, to hold a viewer competition to find a new presenter for the channel.

The competition, which is called 'The Your Shout! Weekend', is part of a host of initiatives between Bebo and Current TV that will aim to increase the channel's popularity among young adults and teens.

The channel, which is a viewer-generated content broadcaster specialising in programmes for young adults, is inviting Bebo users to upload a video of their own production of a programme from Current TV's schedule to the Bebo website, in exchange for the chance to become a presenter on Current TV for a day.

Five winners will be selected by Current TV and Bebo to visit Current TV's studios in London, where they will learn how to present a programme and film their own segments for broadcast. The results will be screened on the channel for 'The Your Shout! Weekend'.

Joanna Shields, president international at Bebo, said: "This relationship with Current TV is our first strategic partnership with a TV network and delivers the most appropriate international television platform.

"Current's fresh and different perspective is a perfect match for the Bebo ethos, as they provide the means for young people to share their passion and creativity."

The channel, which was founded by Gore and Joel Hyatt in August 2005, debuted on Sky and Virgin Media in March this year, and has an hourly updated popular web search service, Google Current.