radarscreen: Current TV and Slamdance

In this time of Web supremacy, user generated content is nearly king. Current TV, a San Fran-based news and entertainment channel, has taken that idea and run with it. Encouraging submissions from indies and first-time filmmakers, Current's agenda is to acquire factual and news programming aimed at, and mostly created by, a young market. Many of the submissions they receive become daily content for their website, but they take the idea of UGC beyond the Web and onto their cable and satellite TV network. They seek out stories told by people who are affected by the events or are part of the community they are reporting on, and then airs them as quick, few minute-long segments they call 'Pods.'