"Current TV empowers young adults to actively participate in creating the television they want to watch, but in a broader sense, we're about giving young adults a voice," said Gore, who chairs the San Francisco-based company.
"Current's mission has always been to spark a global conversation among young adults. Partnering with Yahoo helps us advance this mission."
While people have been able to submit video creations or sample offerings at a Current TV Website, the collaboration with Yahoo marked the first online programming by Current TV.
"The new Yahoo Current Network helps publishers find an audience and be discovered on the biggest network on the planet," said Yahoo chief executive Dan Rosensweig.
"Current TV's strengths in producing and programming some of the most creative video content available, combined with Yahoo's leadership in online video and user-centered communities, creates a unique experience."
Current TV, a national cable and satellite network, was launched in August 2005.
Yahoo Current Network debuted with four "channels" on the Yahoo Video Website. Within the first eight hours, videos on the channel had registered hundreds of thousands of viewings, Yahoo general manager of social media Jason Zajac said.
A Current "Traveler" channel video shot by the Irish rock group U2's frontman Bono and billed as a day in the life of bandmate The Edge had registered nearly 200,000 views by afternoon, according to the Yahoo Website.
"Yahoo is the biggest stage on the Internet," Zajac said. "Everyone is buzzing about how The Edge starts his day."
Current TV was launched last year as a national network featuring professionally edited content created by and for audiences ages 18 to 34.
Approximately a third of the videos aired by the network are "viewer created," according to Current. Programming ranged from environmental, political, financial, and spiritual issues to fashion, music, and videogames.
"Current Network's unique video offerings blend pop-culture awareness with journalistic sensibilities to offer a smart, irreverent take on trends, news, and personalities," Yahoo said.
"It combines the best in user-submitted videos plus professional, studio-produced content to air side by side."
Original content will be made for the Yahoo Current Network and the companies will divide advertising revenue, Zajac said. Programs voted most popular online by Yahoo users will be featured on Current TV.
"Before anyone, Current got both the potential for user content and a need for a professional filter," Zajac said. "They were a great partner regarding production values and understand the new wave of user participation and the short topical video on the Web."
The partnership fits Yahoo's vision of being a platform for creative spirits to achieve their "15 minutes of fame," Zajac said.
© 2006 Agence France-Presse
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