CanWest Global Communications’ just-launched new media division will move on three fronts: developing its own new media products and services, investing in other Web-based companies, and teaming up on joint ventures in Internet services.

Gary Maavara, who is heading the new media division, says that within the next six months, Global Television New Media will have and launch its own Internet sites related to broadcasting operations.

CanWest’s plan is to leverage its strength as an international broadcaster into success online. ‘The new media division is a new platform of CanWest Global’s existing production and broadcasting operations,’ says Maavara. ‘All new media companies want eyeballs, and through the broadcasting division, we can deliver eyeballs – the new media division will lever off of that.’

The new media division is also a means for CanWest Global to facilitate its transition into digital interactive tv, says Maavara.

The new media division’s first acquisitions are a 20% stake in Internet Broadcasting Systems of Minneapolis and LifeServ Corporation of Chicago. The two separate transactions had a combined price tag of $22 million.

Leonard Asper, CanWest’s ceo, describes the acquisitions as a way to leverage CanWest’s existing broadcasting strengths to increase traffic and profits.

ibs has a five-year track record as a developer of specialized websites for tv stations, including cbs.

LifeServ develops content and planning tools for life events, such as planning weddings and buying homes. Maavara says the planning tool, the quality of the database and the depth of content in LifeServ’s projects make its sites popular with over 300,000 registered users.

Both companies offer CanWest a platform to cross-promote and create a television presence for these types of services and advertisers they appeal to, adds Asper.

Global Television New Media plans to make further investments in new media companies. Maavara says he is looking at Canadian and international companies that are complementary to CanWest’s existing operations, those that deliver content to generate advertising or marketing revenue.

Joint ventures with other Internet services are further down the road, says Maavara. ‘If someone has an interesting Internet service and can’t promote it, we may take an equity position in exchange for promotion.’