Why would companies want to start using Internet TV for their business? Maybe because Internet TV offers one of the most compelling, yet untapped channels (no pun intended) for marketers. Maybe because it offers endless opportunities for a company to promote its products, services *and* culture. Maybe because it engages audiences and creates viral opportunities unmatched by other content options -- online or offline. Maybe because businesses don't want to feel the same loss about .tv as they did about .com 10 years ago when they failed to understand its value.

Many businesses today are wandering around the ether trying to understand the best way to create, publish and distribute rich content. The good news is several great companies are working hard behind the scenes to build on-demand, Internet TV platforms. Let's take a closer look at what it would take to build a new channel for our business using the Brightcove platform.

I begin by creating an account. It's easy enough as I provide some basic information and work my way into the console. I am even more impressed as I half expect my phone to start ringing with an eager Brightcove representative on the other end looking to solicit my business -- my phone doesn't ring.

As I look for the big red easy button, I notice that Brightcove offers a new publishpod. This is a desktop application that allows me to encode and upload numerous types of video assets. I find a quicktime of one of the company's principles (who better) and I watch Tom go from my desktop to my asset area -- fully encoded! There are also some great features in the Asset area that allow me to capture and crop images right from my video for use in publishing. 

Next, it's onto "Titles" as I combine my video with some of the images I created in the "Assets" area. Moving from one area to another is simple as the interface offers a tabular-based, RIA workflow that allows me to polish my video creation. I skip "Lineups" (a great way to organize videos by genre for use in a multi-player experience) and head right to "Players." This is where the fun really begins. I can promote my player through search engines and video portals, choose a player template, apply a style, preview, and than determine if I want it to play through a Brightcove URL or one of my own.  

Finally, I configure my syndication settings allowing other sites to play my video. The video is ready for streaming and the results of my efforts are below. As you play the video, notice the player features that are available including email, get link and menu!

Life through a browser has never been better. Build a channel today!