MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN has announced the launch of six online video podcasts, regularly updated newscasts and programming produced specifically for digital video players.

The video podcasts, in addition to CNN's audio podcasting products, are available for free at www.CNN.com/podcasting and at iTunes.

CNN.com senior VP, GM David Payne says, "For the most part, the podcasting audience skews much younger than CNN's television viewers and, perhaps surprisingly, somewhat younger than even users of CNN.com. They were raised during the age of the Internet, not that of the 6 o'clock news. They don't necessarily want to see polished newscasts, but they want to see the action and make judgments for themselves. So we have produced original podcasts in a format that appeals to their fast-paced lifestyles and varied interests."

CNN producers designed each of the podcasts specifically for the small digital video player screen, although they may also be played on personal computers and other devices. The format also allowed CNN.com to offer programming with more raw footage, high-impact video, edgy humor and experimental content.

CNN's video podcasts include All Access – Backstage Pass. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how CNN journalists get their stories. The launch of video podcasting marks the latest digital product from CNN. In June 2005, CNN.com began offering free video to all of its users. In December 2005, the site launched CNN Pipeline, an on-demand broadband video service that puts users in control of multiple live video streams, CNN's video archives and on-demand news clips from CNN's unmatched newsgathering operation around the world.