Monday, December 24, 2007
NBC 'Wrestling' to Fill Strike Schedule
Has the changing entertainment landscape sunk this low...wresting. Are we back to the 1960s and Gorgeous George wrestling? I hope not! The new digital landscape is meant to enhance more creativity, not less. And the old adage of what is old is new again simply means that if you don't learn from history you are bound to repeat it. Hence the writers strike in the late 80's and the lessons that were supposed to be learned, weren't. And here we go again. Are viewers flocking to the web, of course. Cause nothing good is on TV anymore and the old classics can be found on hulu and funny clips on you tube. Get us more creativity on TV again and the viewer will return! I for one am not watching wrestling.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Writers making Deals with the Web
Worldwide Biggies, a start up internet site devoted to online video, and started by a former MTV/Viacom exec Albie Hecht, smells opportunity from this writers strike. His company has just announced that they have signed three writers to produce a new web series titled "The Void", and obviously has offered them revenue sharing from this new media venture. "Observers have speculated that the striking talent could move to the Web in the case of a prolonged strike. This week, former News Corp. executive Ross Levinsohn expressed interest in funding the writers through Velocity Interactive Group, a new-media funding company he founded along with former AOL CEO Jonathan Miller and partners from the now-defunct venture capital group ComVentures."
NBC, with nothing to offer their viewers but reruns, reality, and news, has signed a deal to bring a series, Quarterlife, to the network. FYI, this was a show originally rejected by the networks. When you are scrambling for content, I imagine anything will do.
Jack Myers recently wrote that the advertiser community should consider getting involved in settling this strike by offering a tax to support the writers share. The issue remains how much will it take and how many groups will want a piece of that share - WGA, SAG, DGA, etc. Still an interesting idea. The advertising community are also feeling the heat of this strike, especially when NBC and the CW are returning ad dollars instead of make goods. They are involved and should be pushing both parties to re-enter negotiations and find a settlement.
NBC, with nothing to offer their viewers but reruns, reality, and news, has signed a deal to bring a series, Quarterlife, to the network. FYI, this was a show originally rejected by the networks. When you are scrambling for content, I imagine anything will do.
Jack Myers recently wrote that the advertiser community should consider getting involved in settling this strike by offering a tax to support the writers share. The issue remains how much will it take and how many groups will want a piece of that share - WGA, SAG, DGA, etc. Still an interesting idea. The advertising community are also feeling the heat of this strike, especially when NBC and the CW are returning ad dollars instead of make goods. They are involved and should be pushing both parties to re-enter negotiations and find a settlement.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Top Hulu Videos
Valleywag has just shared the top viewed clips on HULU and not surprisingly sexy type content leads the list. Top two include Wear A Bra from 30 Rock and Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Even more interesting, Saturday Night Live clips also lead the list, with 7 of the following 8 clips listed. SNL is one of the best examples of TV content that can be repurposed and utilized across the other screens - mobile and broadband. For a show 30 years old, it is most forward in its potential.
The web augments the value of the TV product; it encourages viewers to tie back to the full shows they love. And while Hulu also shows full length videos, when given the choice, consumners would opt to watch these shows and clips on the big screen. broadband allows for mobility; TV allows for a sit back experience. My advice, duplicate Hulu as VOD!
The web augments the value of the TV product; it encourages viewers to tie back to the full shows they love. And while Hulu also shows full length videos, when given the choice, consumners would opt to watch these shows and clips on the big screen. broadband allows for mobility; TV allows for a sit back experience. My advice, duplicate Hulu as VOD!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
FCC Adopts 30% Cable Ownership Cap
The FCC is certainly baring its teeth against the cable industry. It sees no problem with allowing a media company to own multiple newspapers, TV and radio stations in the same market, but cap cable company ownership to no more than 30% of the market. Whether this is intended against all cable or primarily against Comcast, who currently reaches 27% of the market, is anyone's guess. Still it makes one wonder the intentions behind these decisions. You can own the bias of the news in the market but not how it is distributed.
Comcast is certainly a powerhouse at 27% so while they may not be to hurt in the short term, competing effectively with telcos and satellite, which have a more national footprint, may be problematic. At the end of the day, let free market rule or turn cable into a utility. Competition has never been more active in the market, among cable, telco and satellite. All have occurred without the FCC imposing their weight in the market. Why a cap now is unclear, other than to make a point, a spiteful one at that. Not talked about is whether the idea of Direct TV and Echostar merging would be allowed. While those discussions are no longer active, this decision by the FCC would seem to indicate that it would not be possible.
Could a denial to merge for Sirius and XM Satellite be far behind?
Comcast is certainly a powerhouse at 27% so while they may not be to hurt in the short term, competing effectively with telcos and satellite, which have a more national footprint, may be problematic. At the end of the day, let free market rule or turn cable into a utility. Competition has never been more active in the market, among cable, telco and satellite. All have occurred without the FCC imposing their weight in the market. Why a cap now is unclear, other than to make a point, a spiteful one at that. Not talked about is whether the idea of Direct TV and Echostar merging would be allowed. While those discussions are no longer active, this decision by the FCC would seem to indicate that it would not be possible.
Could a denial to merge for Sirius and XM Satellite be far behind?
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Tivo, Wii, PS3, XBox - Should we bring back the console
Just a few thoughts. Does anyone remember the stereo console. We didn't buy components like a receiver, cassette player, tuner, etc; rather, we bought the all-in-one player that could do anything in one box.
So I am wondering, is it time for some of the above devices to combine and morph into something bigger. How many plugs can you put into the back of your tv set before you have to manually keep switching from pulling out the DVD plugs to insert the Wii. Should Tivo incorporate a Wii into its device and offer video and game downloads? Should the device also be your cable box, too capable of getting all your digital channels and VOD? Would you rather have one real expensive box or multiple less expensive ones? It seems that some combination of the right boxes might make for a very marketable next generation box. As each of these boxes individually become more interactive, they become duplicative. And those tangle of cords in the back of the set will get problematic. The combination of technologies may lead to an even better consumer experience.
So I am wondering, is it time for some of the above devices to combine and morph into something bigger. How many plugs can you put into the back of your tv set before you have to manually keep switching from pulling out the DVD plugs to insert the Wii. Should Tivo incorporate a Wii into its device and offer video and game downloads? Should the device also be your cable box, too capable of getting all your digital channels and VOD? Would you rather have one real expensive box or multiple less expensive ones? It seems that some combination of the right boxes might make for a very marketable next generation box. As each of these boxes individually become more interactive, they become duplicative. And those tangle of cords in the back of the set will get problematic. The combination of technologies may lead to an even better consumer experience.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Striking writers in talks to launch Web start-ups
The writers strike is destined to forever change the broadcast model. The death of the upfronts, TCA, season premieres in the Fall, will all go away. And once they end, it is unlikely to see them return.
What the writers may have learned is that the new medium of digital downloads and streaming may have lowered the barriers to entry. Combine their creativity with the financial support of venture capitalists, and mix in a consumer's insatiable desire for well produced, original content, and finally share the pot amongst the players, and the writers may find that the strike has created more potential opportunities. And if the broadcaster wants to play, they will have to change their way of thinking.
Notice how the network schedules are dominated by game shows, reality series, and news. Movie hours will become more the norm in broadcast again; do you remember the Tuesday and Wednesday Movies of the Week. With so many different needs, it is unlikely that all the unique companies that make up AMPTP can ever agree. Writers will create independent production companies, like Letterman learned to do with Worldwide Pants, and negotiate more carefully the kind of rights they allow. By being independent, they will retain control.
So this writers strike will change the business and if venture capitalists are smart, they will embrace the chance to own content and perhaps prove that you can bypass networks and sell to independent cable companies and directly to the web. And then watch the ad dollars follow!
What the writers may have learned is that the new medium of digital downloads and streaming may have lowered the barriers to entry. Combine their creativity with the financial support of venture capitalists, and mix in a consumer's insatiable desire for well produced, original content, and finally share the pot amongst the players, and the writers may find that the strike has created more potential opportunities. And if the broadcaster wants to play, they will have to change their way of thinking.
Notice how the network schedules are dominated by game shows, reality series, and news. Movie hours will become more the norm in broadcast again; do you remember the Tuesday and Wednesday Movies of the Week. With so many different needs, it is unlikely that all the unique companies that make up AMPTP can ever agree. Writers will create independent production companies, like Letterman learned to do with Worldwide Pants, and negotiate more carefully the kind of rights they allow. By being independent, they will retain control.
So this writers strike will change the business and if venture capitalists are smart, they will embrace the chance to own content and perhaps prove that you can bypass networks and sell to independent cable companies and directly to the web. And then watch the ad dollars follow!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Letterman Seeks Deal With Writers’ Union
A brilliant move by David Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants, as an independent agent, to negotiate its own deal to return The Late Show and The Late, Late Show to air. While the other late night shows must deal with ownership issues from the broadcasters, Letterman can negotiate his own interim agreement and return live to the air. Competitively, that will give those shows a big edge. In fact, ratings last week showed ABC's news program Nightline beating the repeat runs of Leno and Letterman. Viewers want to watch original shows, not repeats.
Perhaps the lesson learned for the WGA, should an agreement be reached with Worldwide pants, is that you can't slay an 8 headed dragon at one time. Work on individual deals/heads and keep your demands reasonable. The more you succeed, the more the others will have to follow.
Perhaps the lesson learned for the WGA, should an agreement be reached with Worldwide pants, is that you can't slay an 8 headed dragon at one time. Work on individual deals/heads and keep your demands reasonable. The more you succeed, the more the others will have to follow.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Hollywood warned 'writers will move online'
Timing. That is the secret of comedy. (Wait for it).........Tiiiimiiiing. Timing!
An interesting perspective by the writers and quickly countered by Rupert Murdoch in an interview with Cavuto. But truth be told, Fox, the internet is already changing the face of television and the writers strike is simply hastening the speed for which people seek alternative content. Look at niche networks delivering original content to the web audience, from humor on Funny or Die, to financial info on Wallstrip, to an aggregate site of unique niches on NextNewNetworks. The world of entertainment and distribution is changing rapidly.
What determines the speed of change still relies on technology. Apple TV tried to bring web content to the TV screen, but has not proved effective. Tivo ties in to Amazon to download content, as does Vudu. The writers point will be seen as true only if the technology improves and the consumer rushes out to purchase. The success of the Wii and the rush to the store indicates that a good product gets purchased.
The writers threat is not just to the producers, but may prove bone chilling to the distribution model as well. Cable companies and telco have a stake in this writers strike too. Consumers will downgrade their service to basic broadcast only or drop all together and upgrade their broadband speed to improve the quality. News weather, sports, entertainment only from streaming; the broadcast model turned upside down.
So while Murdoch may not take the writers threat of going straight to the web seriously, he should be cautious. Barriers to entry are coming down and content in the hands of professionals may take the web to a whole new level. Don't believe me, just watch some of the videos the writers have created to stress their point. They have the tools to succeed. Now if only technology follows.
An interesting perspective by the writers and quickly countered by Rupert Murdoch in an interview with Cavuto. But truth be told, Fox, the internet is already changing the face of television and the writers strike is simply hastening the speed for which people seek alternative content. Look at niche networks delivering original content to the web audience, from humor on Funny or Die, to financial info on Wallstrip, to an aggregate site of unique niches on NextNewNetworks. The world of entertainment and distribution is changing rapidly.
What determines the speed of change still relies on technology. Apple TV tried to bring web content to the TV screen, but has not proved effective. Tivo ties in to Amazon to download content, as does Vudu. The writers point will be seen as true only if the technology improves and the consumer rushes out to purchase. The success of the Wii and the rush to the store indicates that a good product gets purchased.
The writers threat is not just to the producers, but may prove bone chilling to the distribution model as well. Cable companies and telco have a stake in this writers strike too. Consumers will downgrade their service to basic broadcast only or drop all together and upgrade their broadband speed to improve the quality. News weather, sports, entertainment only from streaming; the broadcast model turned upside down.
So while Murdoch may not take the writers threat of going straight to the web seriously, he should be cautious. Barriers to entry are coming down and content in the hands of professionals may take the web to a whole new level. Don't believe me, just watch some of the videos the writers have created to stress their point. They have the tools to succeed. Now if only technology follows.
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