CNET seems to be taking a big Web 2.0 step forward in allowing publishers to distribute their content across the Web. Their new Open Content Platform is an automated feature where publishers can select up to five different channels to post on their sites through widgets. The content includes text and video and is free, supported by CNET advertisers who come along with the widgets. Publishers get free content and a value add for users, CNET gets a new advertising outlet and advertisers get relevant ads placed next to CNET content (seemingly avoiding the problem of advertising next to inappropriate material).

Available feeds from CNET include BNET (business and management content), Chow (recipes, cooking tips), Gamespot (gaming reviews,etc.), TV.com (yep - all about TV) and CNET itself (tech reviews and news).

“It’s an import export relationship with no strings attached,” explained CNET CEO Neil Ashe. “And this way, we can avoid those business development, syndication nightmare meetings with a lot of lawyers in the room.”

Clearly CNET is feeling the heat of the open Web and is making a proactive choice to stay ahead of the curve. And they don't seem the least bit concerned about turning over their content to other websites. “No widget could contain the entire CNET experience,” said Ashe. “This is the risk we have got to take.”