Pentagon Channel Adds Video Podcasting to Product Line

"We work hard to communicate with the men and women of the department around the world," Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld said. "I am pleased that we are using video casting and other increasingly important technologies to reach our global audience with all the news and information available on the Pentagon Channel."

The channel's video podcasting line-up includes:

• "Around the Services in Brief," the daily military news and information show;
• "RECON," an in-depth look at real-world military operations, missions and events; and
• "Around the Services Reloaded," a weekly round-up of news and information important to servicemembers stationed around the world.

In addition to its new video podcasts, the Pentagon Channel will continue to audio podcast and stream a live webcast of the channel at pentagonchannel.mil.

"Leveraging technologies like video and audio podcasting allows us to communicate relevant and timely military news and information to our men and women of the U.S. military, anywhere, anytime - it's a great capability," said Brian Natwick, general manager of the Pentagon Channel. Video podcasting is a method of publishing video broadcasts via the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed of new files. There is no cost to subscribe, and broadcasts are delivered straight to the subscriber's computer desktop. Files can be viewed either on a PC or on a mobile video device, such as a video-enabled iPod.

The Pentagon Channel broadcasts military news and information for and about the 2.6 million members of the U.S. armed forces -- active duty, National Guard and Reserve. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Pentagon Channel helps ensure that U.S. forces remain the best informed in the world.

Today, the Pentagon Channel is available on-base to the more than 1 million service members who live and work on the 312 military bases, camps and installations in the United States that currently receive it. Also, the channel is available to the 700,000 servicemembers and their families serving overseas in 177 countries via the American Forces Radio and Television Service.

The Pentagon Channel also reaches more than 12 million households through commercial distribution on satellite and cable systems nationwide. DISH Network, Verizon FiOS and divisions of Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Charter, Mediacom, RCN, Armstrong, Midcontinent, Knology, GCI, and a number of smaller cable companies and local access channels in communities around the country carry the Pentagon Channel.

For more information on video podcasting, as well as to view the Pentagon Channel streamed live, visit www.pentagonchannel.mil.