Apple Adds New Channels to QuickTime TV

Talk about good timing. Apple (http://www.apple.com) introduced five new independent film and music channels to its QuickTime TV (QTV) just as the Sundance Film Festival was getting underway in Utah.

The new QuickTime TV channels are: AtomFilms, a distributor ofshort-form films; The New Venue, an online showcase for movies made specifically for the Internet; D.FILM, an online showcase of digital films; V2 Records, an independent music label; and brandnewmusic.com, an online showcase for unsigned musical talent.

"In just seven months, QuickTime TV has established itself as the sourcefor both premium, brand-name content and the best in original, innovativecontent," said Phil Schiller, Apple's vice president of Worldwide ProductMarketing. "The new QTV channels will give new talent an incredible reach toan international audience."

"We chose QuickTime because it alone provides the highest quality audioover the Internet at any connection speed," said James Toledano,brandnewmusic.com's CEO. "We look forward to using QuickTime TV to help newartists get their big break."

The new channels join QTV's existing lineup that includes ABCNEWS.com, BBC WORLD, Bloomberg, CNN.com, Disney.com, ESPN.com, Financial Times, FOXNews.com, FOXSports.com, HBO, MTV, RollingStone.com, VH1, Virgin Radio, The Weather Channel and more.

Apple also released minor updates for the QuickTime player software.