Link TV to Launch ViewChange.org -- a Digital-Media Hub to Spark Progress on Global Development

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Link TV announced it will soon launch ViewChange.org, a new digital initiative that uses films to help raise public awareness of global development successes and encourage policymakers to support development efforts. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ViewChange.org will aggregate documentaries and film shorts focusing on global development and will offer visitors cutting-edge search and engagement Web tools. Visitors will be able to easily search and share video content on the global issues they are most passionate about to encourage and inspire others working to eliminate hunger, poverty and disease in the developing world.

Actor and humanitarian Danny Glover announced the new initiative via e-mail and in a Web video posted on LinkTV.org.

"ViewChange.org is built on the premise that stories are powerful – especially those told through images and sound," said Glover. "They have the power to influence how we think and act. Unfortunately, when it comes to stories about foreign aid or global development, far too often the moral of the story is focused on dependency, corruption and crisis."

He continued, "We want to create a hub where global development organizations and citizen activists can harness the power of storytelling to inspire action to eradicate poverty, hunger and disease in developing nations."

Glover, a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, is a board member for Link TV.

ViewChange.org will feature Link TV's vast library of documentaries and film shorts as well as newly acquired videos on people and projects that are making a positive difference in developing nations around the globe.

The digital-media hub will also include a powerful new search tool – the LinkTV Player – which will enable visitors to search and instantly link to extensive information and other videos on countless global development topics.

Visitors can post films from ViewChange.org to their Facebook page or organizational Web site. Those inspired by ViewChange.org stories can also take action through links on the digital-media hub to communicate directly with policymakers about the issues they feel most passionate about.

Kim Spencer, president of Link TV, underlined the potential power of ViewChange.org: "Imagine if you combined the video sharing power of YouTube with the open information of Wikipedia and the mission of your favorite advocacy Web site. That's Link TV's ViewChange.org."

Spencer added, "The Internet has revolutionized our ability to communicate powerful ideas almost instantly. Link TV has taken that one step further.  Using the latest search and engagement tools, we are harnessing the power of storytelling to change the world."

Link TV's ViewChange.org is expected to launch in the summer of 2010.

"Smart, innovative investments in international development are helping people in the developing world lift themselves out of hunger and poverty, and lead healthy, productive lives," said Mark Suzman, director of Global Development Policy and Advocacy at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "ViewChange.org will showcase inspirational stories of people who have benefitted from these investments, showing that these programs are delivering real results by giving them the tools to change their lives for the better, and that progress is possible on a large scale."

Link TV is the nation's largest independent television broadcaster and is devoted to providing diverse global perspectives on news, current events and world culture not typically available on other U.S. networks.  Link TV regularly airs a robust selection of award-winning films and documentaries that explore the human condition from diverse multi-cultural perspectives. Link TV is available as basic service on DIRECTV channel 375 and DISH Network channel 9410 and on more than 50 urban cable systems, reaching a total of more than 47 million U.S. Homes.  For complete background information, program schedule, and internet streaming of Link TV's original programs, music videos, documentary clips and artist interviews, visit http://www.linktv.org.

SOURCE Link TV