Spread, a Mania offering

After its September '04 launch, ManiaTV — the first 24-hour online TV site — is finally turning a profit.

Blue-chip advertisers, including Honda and Wrigley, are also expressing interest in the online network's five million 18- to 34-year-old viewers.

Mania won that viewership, not merely by feeding them fashion trends, hip musicians and cool gadgets, but also by giving them a voice on the live-streaming shows, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

On The Daily Indie, users can chat with host Christy Kruzick to request songs and ask questions during the show.

Advertising also represents "content" for the network. For the launch of Pink, Victoria's Secret's line of pajamas and sweats, Mania hosted a show dubbed the World's Largest Pajama Party and broadcast live with DJ AM and Fergie.

This type of integrated, "professional" content is also part of Mania's draw. CEO Peter Hoskins says the site stopped experimenting with user-generated content early on, finding it demanding to police and expensive to retain.

The interest of fawning advertisers aside, Mania is currently negotiating with several Hollywood producers to create 30 new programs.