Anheuser-Busch's new web-based TV "network," to launch after the Super Bowl with the promise of full-screen DVD-quality streams, hopes to prevent criticism regarding underage viewers.

A-B's Bud.tv effort is likely to be closely watched within the industry to see whether a major television marketer can successfully snare consumers by bypassing traditional TV outlets and reaching consumers directly online.

To avoid criticism about marketing to underage drinkers, Bud.tv will use an age-verification system to help ensure that visitors hoping to view the live and on-demand content are of drinking age, writes MediaPost (via MediaBuyerPlanner).

The system, provided by Aristotle Inc., conducts real-time verification checks of a visitor's ages via a search of public databases. Users enter first and last names, date of birth and zip code; if approved, they can create a password for site access.