BuzzFeed And CNN Team Up For New YouTube Channel

By Elena Zanone

Earlier this week viral content site BuzzFeed and CNN launched a joint YouTube channel which is slated to feature videos from CNN’s archival footage along with current content, all designed to be shared via social media.

According to The Wall Street Journal, BuzzFeed, which sees 18 million monthly unique visitors, aims to add more news content to its already contagiously popular pop-culture website, while CNN which reportedly sees 60 million monthly unique visitors, will cash in on BuzzFeed’s sweet spot of 18 to 34-year-old readers.

BuzzFeed already maintains a considerable presence in the digital video realm through a half-dozen dedicated YouTube channels, but the new partnership with CNN is its most comprehensive so far with a traditional media company.

“There has been a massive cultural shift in how people, particularly young people, consume news and entertainment and Ze [Frank] and his team are tapping into the next generation of video production and consumption,” said BuzzFeed president and COO Jon Steinberg.

Initially, the new platform will be ad-free but that will eventually change.

“The more agile way to do it is to launch without letting advertising products dictate editorial content. BuzzFeed and CNN will figure out ways to do various ad formats and sponsored content down the road,” said Steinberg.

For Buzzfeed, the new partnership means more expansion. The company plans to hire 30 more employees to work in a new Los Angeles, CA studio.

Below is the first video on the channel, which is a mash up of famous rescue moments originally broadcast on CNN.