LivePlanet is launching Virtual Worlds Productions, a media organization that covers virtual world news in Second Life and World of Warcraft, much like CNN does the real world. Are the residents of Second Life ready for their own version of CNN? I wonder if the SL version of Jerry Springer and Heraldo are next.

LivePlanet, the multiplatform production company behind HBO’s “Project Greenlight” and MSN’s “Fan Club: Reality Baseball,” is launching Virtual Worlds Prods., a media organization that will cover the burgeoning space of virtual worlds.

Two of the biggest online environments, Second Life and World of Warcraft, will get their own branded news services. Their respective publications, Gridworldnews.com and Azerothwn.com, also will serve as beachheads for launching other virtual-only entertainment and community offerings.

The goal is to position LivePlanet as the dominant media force in virtual worlds the way Time Warner or News Corp. approach the real world, LivePlanet president and CEO Larry Tanz said. Source: LivePlanet makes virtual worlds news

There will be a total of 30 journalists embedded in Second Life and World of Warcraft, creating serious and tongue in cheek coverage of the many residents who live there. James Root, a former business development manager with Microsoft Corp.’s digital media division, will lead the organization and Tina Courtney, a former Walt Disney Internet Group producer, will serve as editor in chief. More news at 10.

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