Hollywood Names Slated to Bring Original Shows to the Web
Sure, we’re use to seeing all kids of video on the web. We’ve even seen some of the tradition broadcast networks start their own “channels” on YouTube. Now there’s word of some major Hollywood players that will offer original content on the web too.
This latest news may show us where things are finally headed, especially when you look at how it relates to recent announcements by TV manufacturers and a study on TV viewers.
Google’s announcement
Starting in September Google will exclusively air “Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy” on the internet. You may know Seth MacFarlane from his shows “Family Guy” and “American Dad” or his work on “Johnny Bravo,” “Cow and Chicken,” and “Dexter’s Lab.”
“Cavalcade” is another animated show that will air in 50 two minute episodes. This will not only bring another big name creating original content for the web, but most likely be the most expensive productions ever created for the web. The show will be distributed through the Google Content Network; so instead of a Google ad on a web site you will see MacFarlane’s show. The New York Times reports that traditional commercials will appear in the show and banners ads around the show will also be sold. “For a more substantial fee, Mr. MacFarlane has been working with advertisers to animate original commercials,” the Times also reported.
An Internet Miniseries Event from the Creator of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
As if the announcement of “Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy” wasn’t enough (or the name long enough), next comes an announcement from Writer/Producer/Director Joss Whedon. Possibly best know for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Whedon says on his web site that basically they were really bored during the writers strike and “I finally decided to do something very ambitious, very exciting, very mid-life-crisisy. Aided only by everyone I had worked with, was related to or had ever met, I single-handedly created this unique little epic. A supervillain musical, of which, as we all know, there are far too few.”
Whedon’s show is called “Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Bolg” and will stream free in mid July. The first act will be posted on July 15th, with the second and third acts going up on the 17th and 19th. At midnight on the 20th he will pull them off his site and you will be able to buy it via download and DVD. The trailer does look funny. (View the trailer here)
Viewers and the Web
We’ve seen growing numbers of video viewers on the web, but according to new research conducted by The Nielsen Company for the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM), “most adults (94%) who subscribe to cable or satellite television services prefer to watch television on traditional TV sets.”
For “adults” those numbers aren’t a huge surprise, younger viewers would be more likely to watch videos on a computer. Then there’s the television experience; the idea of huddling around a computer screen isn’t as pleasant as being on the couch watching a big flat screen TV.
Changes are in the works though. Manufactures have announced add-on modules that will allow you to watch internet video on your big screen without a computer. For example, Sony’s Bravia Internet Video Link sells for $300, will let you watch video including high-definition from providers such as AOL, Crackle, Yahoo! and YouTube.
Now we have a way to get “the TV experience” with our web video and it looks like quality content is finally headed our way… we might actually be able to find something to watch.
More Info:
New York Time article here
Joss Whedon’s “Master Plan”
CTMA Viewer Study here
Move Over Katie, YouTube Has Citizen News
We’ve already seen it happen in several instances; events happen and the first video from that event isn’t from a network news sources, but from people who are there experiencing it and want to show the rest of the world. We’ve seen this when video has been posted to YouTube of rioting in Tibet or from disasters anywhere in the world.
The change that is occurring in some of these “reports” is that they are no longer just random video that’s posted, but something that looks much more like a “news package.” A stand-up is given by a “reporter” or even someone at a desk is giving a their version of a newscast – to make sure the world knows this information, to show their passion for subject, or to give notice that a subject is under-reported.
YouTube has taken notice and announced that they have pulled together a channel for this information called Citizen News. In a rather roughly presented introduction to the channel the new News Manager at YouTube, Olivia M. (Sorry I couldn’t make out the last name.), tells us about some of the people contributing content. Her first business expense does need to be a better video editing program, even if the amateur look of it is to make people feel anyone can do it. YouTube’s Olivia congratulates the “citizen journalists” and asks viewers to help them shape the Citizen News channel.
Now sure there will be a percentage of this material that many of us won’t want to pay attention to because it doesn’t concern us… and at times it will be a large percentage of the material. But think about what’s at the root of all of this; someone feeling socially responsible and wants to share what they feel is important. This is not a bad thing. So often the apathy just seems to be everywhere and we know when people are motivated like this it invokes change and sometimes even a sort of enlightenment. Also, we know it works when we see governments blocking internet access to this information.
In March at the Digital News Affairs conference in Brussels, Chris Press of CNN was announcing their new iReport.com site and said, “In many ways it’s a lot like YouTube, but with a focus on personal reporting.” Well Mr. Press, I believe YouTube heard you.
See the channel:
Scripps Networks Takes Their Shows to YouTube
YouTube has been posting rising numbers every quarter, but people still want to know how they plan to make money from those numbers. Well, an agreement between Scripps Networks and YouTube may start to show us how that money will be made.
Scripps Networks has announced that it will have “lifestyle” channels on YouTube that will carry clips from its television properties such as Food Network, DIY Network, HGTV and Fine Living Network.
President of the interactive group at Scripps Networks, Deanna Brown, said “Having Scripps Networks channels available on YouTube offers our brand enthusiasts another touch-point with HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network and Fine Living Network; while also giving those new to the brands a chance to sample our content.”
Brown knows this area well; she had been general manager of Yahoo’s Media Group’s Lifestyles business unit before joining Scripps Networks.
This would definitely bring higher quality video to YouTube but the question will be whether these “lifestyle” channels fit the YouTube viewers.
Read More:
See the Scripps Networks channels YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/foodnetworktv
Two Approaches to Comedy on the Web
If you spend time on any of the comedy web sites like The Onion, JibJab, Comedy Central or Funny or Die, there is a basic idea that things need to be fresh and things need to happen fast. Sure you can have a culling of what’s the most popular, but the best sites are going to have new material.
The old media networks seem to be having the hardest time with the web. Some have gone back and forth with the idea of whether clips of their shows should be on YouTube, some have tried to start their own video web sites and others aren’t sure what to do at all.
Case in point, look at two press releases/stories about comedy on the web that have come out in the last week and you may get an idea of who understands what it takes.
The first comes from The Second City troupe announcing that they have teamed up with an LA media company and by the end of the year will launch “The Second City’s Quarantine.” The site will “feature original performances from The Second City’s current roster of talent, as well as members of its extensive alumni network.”
Sounds great. I can’t wait t see what they turn out especially having seen their live performances and their recent YouTube spoof of John McCain.
Now here’s the other Press Release about another new comedy site. Broadcasting Cable is reporting that Saturday Night Live has “launched a web site dedicated to politics.” It then goes on to say its “new,” well that it’s sort of new. It calls it “the souped-up subsection of SNL’s main site, serves as something of a storehouse for SNL’s political satire.” Wow, that makes me want to run away from it.
It goes on to say the site has a bracket like tournament where you can vote for your favorite impersonators and has ecards, games and a political message board. Oh Joy! But what, no social network? The Blog on the site does let you know how you are supposed to phrase things about candidates you don’t like. So get it right or you won’t be allowed to play there.
The idea that we are this far into the primaries and SNL just decides to break off some pages for politics tells me that the networks just aren’t cut out to be on the web.
Read the Second City Press Release here.
Read the Chicago Tribune Article here.
Read the Broadcast Cable article here.
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