3pointD.com

Virtual-world services company Rivers Run Red will today launch its virtuallife.tv, a television network for Second Life, at the MIPTV digital content market in Cannes. This was originally slated to launch back in November, of course, so we’ll see what this launch consists of. But new details of the service have emerged, so it seems an infrastructure has been built out for the in-world television network, which is now awaiting content, some of which Rivers will try to gather at MIPTV. (NOTE: This is not to be confused with Virtualive.tv, a project of Morpheus Media, which will stream concerts live to Second Life.]

According to Rivers Run Red, users of the virtual world of Second Life will be able to watch this new in-world television network in a variety of formats, from handheld screens to huge cinematic displays. Branded accessories will also be available, and it there’s even a hint that programming may be linked to the real-world ambient display technology Rivers recently licensed from Philips.

It sounds like Rivers’ main purpose at MIPTV is to find content providers to fill out the network, although there are still plans to include content produced by the community as well. Premium content and pay-per-view options will also be phased in over time. The Sci-Fi Channel and Channel 4 in the U.K. had been reported as having signed up to provide content for virtuallife.tv, but it doesn’t seem this has materialized yet — or else I can’t find it in the SL interface. Either way, it’s a potentially interesting project. It would be nice to see it get off the ground.