Blip.tv is a video user generated content site that recently garnered some attention for hosting Michael Moore’s latest movie, Slacker Uprising. Blip.tv has raised their second round of funding, led by Bain Capital Ventures. Blip’s first round was led by Ambient Sound Investments, a VC firm started by the 4 founding Skype engineers.
Blip plans on using the new round of funding to grow their team. Blip is also planning on using the funding to increase their tools and better their interface. Blip will also be increasing their attention to advertising sales.
This month, Blip.tv also served 51 million video views and hosts 37,000 shows. These shows release about 3 episodes per month.
Michael Moore has created a new documentary. Unlike past films like Sicko, Fahrenheit 9/11, and Bowling For Columbine, this documentary will be available free. “This is being done entirely as a gift to my fans. The only return any of us are hoping for is the largest turnout of young voters ever at the polls in November,” states Moore on SlackerUprising.com. The movie is available for streaming on Blip.TV after entering a valid e-mail address.
“It is a watershed moment that a film by a major American filmmaker is being put in wide release on the Web – not in theaters, not on television, and not on DVD,” stated Blip.tv CEO Mike Hudack. “The Web is quickly becoming a legitimate means of distribution, and it no longer plays second fiddle to theatres and television. Web-based distribution puts artists in control and prevents any single studio or network boss from giving thumbs up or down to particular productions. Now the market can decide.”
The movie is about inspiring slackers to get up from their couches and vote. Guest appearances include Eddie Vedder, Tom Morello, Steve Earle, Joan Baez, R.E.M., Viggo Mortensen, and Roseanne Barr. Making the film costed about $2 million. The DVDs of the movie will be available via Netflix and Amazon.com.
Flint, Michigan native and Academy Award-winner Michael Moore has released three top documentaries: Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, and Sicko. Moore is set to release another documentary, but he is making it available for free online as a gift to his fans.
Moore’s new movie, Slacker Uprising is about getting slackers up from their couches and vote. The movie also features guest appearances by Eddie Vedder, Tom Morello, Steve Earle, Joan Baez, R.E.M., Viggo Mortensen, and Roseanne Barr. The movie will be free to download on September 23 and will be available for streaming on Blip.TV.
Below is a trailer of the movie:
“This is being done entirely as a gift to my fans,” stated Moore. “The only return any of us are hoping for is the largest turnout of young voters ever at the polls in November. I think Slacker Uprising will inspire (millions) to get off the couch and give voting a chance.”
The film costed about $2 million to put together. DVDs of the movie will be available on Amazon.com and NetFlix.
