Viewer Submitted Content on Television Created by You

I recently came across a cable channel called Current TV. This fascinating channel features short programs called "Pods" and they are mainly created by everyday Viewers and aspiring Journalists. These content generating users are called VC² producers.

The channel was co created by Al Gore with the financial backing of Joel Hyatt, a savvy businessman with an eye for the legal side of things. Together they launched a user created sensation that has given many Underdogs a shot at catapulting their careers in Journalism and Savvy Reporting.

Spawned by the idea from MTV's popular series called Unfiltered; where the popular music channel gave their viewers each their own cameras so they could report on subjects that they thought had an impact on Society or what they deemed may be important.

Since 2005, the 24 hour channel has been a huge success! With topics ranging everywhere from the frontline of war torn Iraq to Eco Friendly vehicles and everything in between. The user generated pods attract a vast array of viewers from all walks of life.

Another fun attraction to Current TV is the VCAM's or Viewer Created Ad Messages. Current TV airs promotions where they take a product such as Mountain Dew and then the viewers have an opportunity to make their own commercial geared around the product. Creativity is key to be able to win the spot that lands the commercial break of their dreams. Plus they are typically offered a nice payment in exchange for all of their hard work, not to mention a ton of exposure!

Registered users on the website vote for their favorite Viewer Created Ad Messages or VCAM's through a process of voting called "Greenlighting". This helps create a even distribution of material in which other viewers voice an opinion on what they want to see and hear about.

One of my favorite Pods on Current is called "Greasel". It is narrated and reported on by a young man who runs his Mercedes Benz off of pure Vegetable Oil waste from fast food restaurants. He spends several hours a day obtaining and cleaning the oil to then put in his car and drive for practically free. He accentuates on how this helps save the environment and also save money. He did a wonderful job putting the Pod together and creating a report that was easy to understand and also interesting. Viewers can go online and leave comments about his pod and also rate the story.

Another exciting tool on this channel is the Google Current. Google current gives the viewers at home hourly updates on the most popular web searches in real time. This is a beneficial and priceless tool for anyone looking to write or produce a story or news article and have the most up to date information that people are looking for.

Current TV also offers intriguing interviews reported by VC² Producers and Users. These Producers seem to be fearless and at times offer a raw and no holds barred look at real life situations and current news events from a sideline perspective. Think of the journalist that got turned down to report the top news story at 6, then sneaks behind the scenes and lands the interview that catapults their career.

Young, raw, hip and trendy. Current TV is a must watch for latest beat in Lifestyles and User Created entertainment.