FreeCast.com wrapping up deal with Facebook on Web TV program guide

FreeCast.com, provider of a web-based program guide for Internet video, is “wrapping up” a deal to allow Facebook users to watch TV from their Facebook page, Freecast.com CEO Bill Mobley told Connected Planet this week. The deal could give a significant boost to the recently launched offering.

The FreeCast offering is essentially a search engine for web video content, locating and categorizing 1.5 million new videos each day. Users pay nothing to use the FreeCast offering and much of the content is available for free. When users find content they want to watch, they click on a link to the content provider’s page.

“The source is the program provider but the guide allows [users] to go right to it,” explained Mobley.

A role for service providers

Content available through the FreeCast site comes from around the world and includes popular content sites such as You Tube. Users have the option of receiving instantaneous alerts when new content that might interest them becomes available.

“Our crawler is grabbing everything as it is put up,” Mobley said.

FreeCast has a revenue sharing agreement with at least one content provider. But the company expects to rely largely on display advertising. “You can be a sponsor of a featured channel,” said Mobley.

FreeCast is hoping to persuade manufacturers of Internet TV-connected TVs, game consoles and the like to ship products with an icon or shortcut to FreeCast in the menu selection. In addition, the company sees an opportunity to work with broadband service providers, who could offer a similar icon or shortcut. Service provider partners also would have the opportunity to sell display ads on FreeCast.com and share in the revenues.