Social Video and Oprah

In an article written last Thursday on Tech Radar, I was surprised to see that in addition to Hulu one of the sites that is gaining the most ground is Facebook in terms of online video content. Youtube, which receives an amazing 1 billion views a day, could soon be losing some of that staggering statistic as social network sites continue to develop more ways to incorporate video content with their services. The trend reminded me of the trend predicted in class a few weeks ago of the future of Internet search content. There it was discussed that perhaps in a few years, people will be searching sites like facebook and myspace for restaurant recommendations from their friends etc. rather than random strangers on the internet. Perhaps video content is heading down a similar path.

Secondly, I was surprised to see online video being brought into a media business conversation where you normally wouldn’t see it. In a recent Reuters article discussing Oprah’s imminent departure from her daytime television throne, ABC’s Sweeney discussed Disney’s various moves to push into developing content for various platforms and target specific audiences with that content. I also find it interesting that she forced her Daughter to have a television in her room. If only I had a TV executive as a parent growing up.

Bing and News Corp

It’s interesting that this interview done about a month ago was so right in predicting the current intrigue going on between Microsoft and News Corporation. Basically, Jason Calacanis laid out his theory that one way to finally break Google’s hold on the search market was to partner with various news organizations, pay them for their content, and get them to exclusively let that content be accessed by a search engine like Bing.

The New York Times published a piece today on the negotiations that News Corp is currently in with Microsoft to do exactly that. Basically, Microsoft would pay them for the opportunity to exclusively index it’s content and News Corp would then completely remove all of it’s content from Google. This is an interesting idea that would obviously largely affect consumer’s access to all of the online video content of News’ Corp’s publications. Additionally, it could largely affect the business model of future media endeavors on the Internet from the current model to something similar to the “cable” model that we’ve been studying in class.

Is this a good business decision? Wired thinks not.

YouTube Direct

Here is a really fascinating piece, published by the New York Times last week, which describes the new Youtube technology that various news organizations are beginning to take advantage of, and incorporating into their business models. “Youtube Direct” is a service that outlets such as The Huffington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and NPR are using to manage user-generated video content for their sites.

This is exciting because it provides an easier way for a sense of communication to be established through video content on MSM channels. For example, a publication such as the Rocky Mountain News could ask for funny or interesting video on local Colorado news, people could submit it through this service, and it would then find a new home of the outlet’s site. This could be an effective business model not only as a result of driving people to a site, but also a new model on online video citizen journalism.

Mad Men Promotional Video

I thought I'd offer this as a direct contrast to the Nook video. Here's a simple and elegant way for a promo to live online, stand on it's own as worthwhile content, and also promote the larger product/content being advertised.

Nook Promotional Video

If you're going to string together some interviews in an online video to advertise your product, I think a good rule of thumb would be to make it a little less annoying than this:

NPR Reports On Future Of Web Video

On yesterday's All Things Considered, Omar Gallaga discussed the future business models and technology that may support the viewing of web video content on HD televisions. In addition to various companies and technology that I've previously discussed on this blog such as Boxee, Gallaga also brought up some really interesting new ventures that I had not been previously aware of.

First of all, The New York Times reported earlier this week on the new company "Clicker." Clicker hopes to be a "TV Guide for the web." It seems to be an appropriate company to bring up this week since we've been discussing the importance of search for the future of media. Clicker hopes to act as a sort of "search" for online video. Where you may be able to easily find some select network's shows on sites such as Hulu, Clicker will be able to point you to content as far-ranging as TED talks to video from NYTimes.com!! Exciting! If this takes off, the focus and importance placed on legally uploaded footage from established media companies could be great for those businesses.

Telegraph Arts Videos

I'm in love with this video, and a lot of the other videos on The Telegraph's website. I think that they are doing a great job of creating captivating online video content that can stand alone on their own merits. I think this piece does just that. First of all, the video content in the piece really centers around strong sound bites. The reporter was sent to Georgia to document the way that women live there, and framed his journey as a search to “find the most beautiful woman” in Georgia. Through the interview with the older man and later the conversation in the car, the treatment of women in the country is explored in interesting ways. Also, the clip of the women singing is fascinating, even if it adds less to the story.