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Review of FCC's National Broadband Plan Begins; Questions on Set-Top Box Language Should be Asked
The FCC's new "National Broadband Plan" is now beginning the process of congressional review, which may result in a number of changes. According to this B&C article, Republicans have concerns with proposed revisions to the
Universal Service Fund and the FCC's proposed mechanism for reclaiming up to 500 megahertz of broadcasters' spectrum over the next 10 years. Separately, Republicans also object to the FCC's net neutrality proposals.
In my "first look" analysis of the Broadband Plan a couple of weeks ago, one thing I didn't take note of was a small provision in the plan to "change rules to ensure a competitive and innovative video set-top box market" Several VideoNuze readers brought that provision to my attention, wondering what it really means. I'm not 100% sure myself, but it would seem to benefit Google's new "Google TV" Android-based set-top box, which I wrote about earlier this week. Congress should be sure to question the FCC closely about its set-top goals.
What do you think? Post a comment now (no sign-in required).Categories: Broadband ISPs, Broadcasters, Regulation
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Avaak Lands $10 Million Series B Round, Provides Another Example of Video's Value
While my focus at VideoNuze is strongly on media/entertainment and consumer apps, I'm always on the lookout for other interesting broadband video applications. A perfect example is Avaak, which makes the Vue Personal Video Network, a system for remote video monitoring of your home or business. This week Avaak announced a new $10 million series B round, led by Qualcomm.
Vue is a dead simple system which includes a gateway and 2 tiny wireless
video cameras. The gateway connects to your router and you mount the camera wherever you want, adjusting them with an ingenious peel-and-stick magnetic mounts. You then monitor the video feeds through a personal dashboard. You can record the video, share it with others, add more cameras and even see the video through a new iPhone app. The system costs $299, with additional cameras running $99 each. Vue is a very clever and simple system that addresses a widespread security issue.
What do you think? Post a comment now (no sign-in required).Categories: Miscellaneous
Topics: Avaak, InterWest Partners, Leapfrog Ventures, Qualcomm, Trinity Ventures
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NY Times' New "TimesCast" is a Home Run for Its Audience
I continue to believe that among newspapers pursuing online video initiatives, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal are the clear leaders. Both totally get how strategic video is to evolving their brands, engaging their audiences and generating new ad revenue.
Just last month I wrote about the Journal's newly unveiled companion video series to its "Digits" blog; now this week the Times announced its daily "TimesCast" program which is a 1-hour daily insiders' view of what and how the Times chooses to cover what it covers that runs from 1-2pm each day. In the episodes I watched - exclusively sponsored by FedEx - the cameras visited the daily "Page One" editorial meeting and featured Times journalists interviewing each other to gain more color on selected stories of the day. The pace of the videos was fast and engaging, with snappy sequencing music in the background.
I'll readily admit this type of content isn't for everyone. However if you're a news junkie and regular Times reader like me, it's a home run - and that's what really matters. TimesCast makes viewers feel like they're "in the know," strengthening their bond with the Times brand and deepening their understanding of the news. Plus, it lets the Times showcase their journalists in a way that goes far beyond their bylined articles. A larger point: in print space is finite, on the web its infinite. Brands that learn to "super-serve" their audiences with these kinds of behind-the-scenes initiatives will win.
What do you think? Post a comment now (no sign-in required).Categories: Newspapers
Topics: NY Times, Wall Street Journal
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VideoNuze Report Podcast #54 - March 26, 2010
Daisy Whitney and I are pleased to present the 54th edition of the VideoNuze Report podcast, for March 26, 2010.
This week Daisy starts us off by reviewing new research on the iPad's appeal as an ebook reader. Daisy also reviews sobering forecasts suggesting that the iPad is unlikely to change people's willingness to pay for content (regarding video specifically, Daisy and I agreed a while back that for now its impact for video specifically is likely to negligible). I'm not convinced the iPad will trigger a wave of people willing to pay for content, but I do believe any iPad research is still very preliminary. It's only when users get their hands on the device that we'll really start to learn how impactful it is. The iPad is of already available for pre-order and is set to debut in stores late next week.
We then shift topics and discuss my post from earlier this week, "Here's How Google TV Will Work - And What It Might Mean," in which I described Google's new set-top box and the company's strategy for entering the market. Google's move is likely to set off a fascinating negotiating dynamic with incumbent video service providers, and Daisy and I get into some more of the details.
(Note, Daisy's mic isn't working that well on this podcast, so please be patient)
Click here to listen to the podcast (14 minutes, 13 seconds)
Click here for previous podcasts
The VideoNuze Report is available in iTunes...subscribe today!
Categories: Cable TV Operators, Devices, Podcasts
Topics: Amazon, Apple, Google, iPad, Podcast
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blip.tv Doubles Video Views, Scores with New Ad Formats
blip.tv, the online video network for independent producers, has shared with me that in Feb '10 it generated 85 million video views, double the amount from Feb '09, and that by its estimates, approximately 85% of those views
are sufficiently high-quality to accept ads from major brands. In addition, blip is getting strong results from several new ad formats it launched recently, another sign that online video advertising is delivering for both content providers and advertisers. In separate conversations over the last week, Mike Hudack, CEO and Evan Gotlib, VP of Ad Sales, brought me up to speed.
The new ad unit that's performing best is called an "interactive pre-roll," which allows viewers to select which product in an assortment they want to see video about. For example, in this ad for Chevy, which started running in December, viewers click on the Malibu, Equinox or Traverse. And in this new ad for Starbucks introducing its "Bold" line of coffees, users choose one of eight new blends to learn more about. The goal of these ads is to allow users to self-customize their experience (something Hulu has been doing as well), to drive higher engagement. Evan reported that the ads are driving a 6-14% click-through rate, and in the case of Chevy, a 22% subsequent click-through rate to the Chevy site.
Another new ad that's performing well is the "share unit." In this example for Samsung's Omni phone, about 2 minutes into the video's play, a bug appears in the upper right corner of the video window for 15-30 seconds, which when clicked, opens up an image of the Samsung Omni phone. There the user sees prompts to share the underlying video on Facebook or Twitter, or via email, text or embed. Evan said that this unit is driving a 4% click-through rate, and that 10% of people who click on the ad go on to share the video in one way or another.
Lastly, the "overlay with custom video creation" unit is a new way blip is differentiating itself through branded entertainment. In this example for the Samsung Behold II smartphone, the user is first exposed to an overlay ad, with a call to action to "watch how the Behold II can make you a super hero" (this is Samsung's hook for the phone). The user is then exposed to 3 videos of about 1 minute each, featuring "Behold II Man" and his 2 female sidekicks. The videos are campy but clever, weaving in promotion for the Behold II's specific features.
Evan said the videos were created by blip for about $15K, which is a fraction of what an agency would have charged. For blip, creating videos is a means to an end: throwing a few short videos into the mix is a way of gaining a higher fraction of the brand's media spend and standing apart from typical pre-rolls. This new campaign for Chili's is another great example - clearly low-cost production, but, especially for its target audience, catchy and impactful.
blip's success with these ads and brands are part of a far larger story that is playing out in the entertainment and advertising industries. As I wrote in January and numerous times before, there is a ton of innovation happening in online video advertising, which is driving up campaign ROIs and in turn enticing more brands to increase their spending on online video. A key part of the story here is that video advertising is getting both more targeted and more customizable by viewers, leading to better results and improved satisfaction. I've always been a believer that viewers don't hate ads so much as they hate irrelevant ads. That's what's so exciting about online video - it combines the relevance and targeting of Internet advertising with the emotional impact of TV advertising.
This is a really rich area which we'll be exploring both in the complimentary April 8th webinar, "Demystifying Free vs. Paid Online Video," and then at the April 26th VideoSchmooze in NYC, "Money Talks: Is Online Video Shifting to the Paid Model?" (early bird tickets now available). Please join us for both of these exciting events if you want to learn more about monetizing online video!
What do you think? Post a comment now (no sign-in required). -
Here's How Google TV Will Work - And What It Might Mean
Last week, the NY Times shared some details of "Google TV," the new set-top box Google is developing in partnership with Intel and Sony. The article provided a good outline, and now, based on additional information I've gathered, I'm able to provide new details on the box and also explain what it might mean.
The first and most important thing to know about Google TV is that it is not being positioned to induce users to "cut the cord" on their subscriptions to
existing multichannel video programming distributors' ("MVPDs" like cable, satellite or telco) services. Or at least that's Google's initial positioning; whether it's genuine or really just a Trojan Horse game plan is another whole matter. For now anyway, Google is taking a "friend of the industry" approach, telling MVPDs that it's briefing that it is looking to complement their businesses by bringing the full Internet to the TV (this follows the same convergence theme as the new Kylo browser).
Google is contemplating an entirely novel strategy for its set-top box, seeking to insert it alongside the existing MVPD's set-top box by daisy chaining them together via HDMI connections. In other words, the MVPD's set-top's HDMI output would be connected to the Google TV set-top's HDMI input, and then its HDMI output would be connected to the TV. The authorized TV channels would still be delivered, but Google TV would collect data from the MVPD's set-top and introduce an entirely new UI for users to control their TV experience, to include searching and browsing channels. It would also add a host of new interactive web-type capabilities around the content.
Since the Google TV box would have a full browser and connect to the Internet via the user's WiFi or wired access, it would also bring all of the rest of the Internet to the TV as well, including the full breadth of online video (yes, that would mean one more thing for Hulu to block). My understanding is that on the whole, the Google TV experience is extremely impressive and well conceived. In short, it will get the attention of any MVPD executive who has a look at it and will certainly get them to thinking about how able - or unable - they are to deliver a similar experience themselves to their subscribers.
A key reason that Google is planning to insert its box this way is because it believes that in order to deliver a compelling Internet experience on TV requires a new web-based, and open platform. For Google that of course means Android, which it is vigorously proliferating on smartphones as well. Throw in Google's Chrome browser that it is promoting for online usage and you get a glimpse of how Google's multi-platform strategy comes together. While Sony would be making the box, you have to believe it will have Google branding on it, a first for the company in the living room too.
Categories: Cable TV Operators, Devices, Satellite, Telcos
Topics: Comcast, DISH Network, Google, Google TV, Intel, Sony
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Complimentary Webinar on Monday, April 8th: "Demystifying Free vs. Paid Online Video"
Please join Colin Dixon, senior partner at The Diffusion Group and me for a complimentary webinar on Thursday, April 8th at 11 am PT/2pm ET titled "Demystifying Free vs. Paid Online Video." We will be joined by two special guests, Chris Wagner, EVP, Marketplace Strategy of NeuLion, a leading provider of technology and services to content owners and aggregators, and Jason Krebs, EVP of ScanScout, a leading video ad network.
Learn more and register now for this complimentary webinar
In this webinar we will examine all sides of the debate including the effectiveness of online subscription models, how well online video advertising is taking advantage of the Internet's unique interactivity/engagement, the pending influence of "TV Everywhere" rollouts and much more. Chris and Jason will share best practices and insights based on their companies' experiences. Colin and I will ask them questions and then open up the webinar for plenty of audience Q&A. If you're trying to get your head around online video business models, then this webinar will be a high-impact educational opportunity.
The webinar will also be a terrific lead-in session for many of the issues we will drill into 2 1/2 weeks later at the "VideoSchmooze" Broadband Video Leadership Evening in NYC on Monday, April 26th. The title for the panel at VideoSchmooze is "Money Talks: Is Online Video Shifting to a Paid Model?" Early bird discounted tickets are now available and I hope you'll be able to join us for both the webinar and VideoSchmooze.
This webinar is the 2nd of 6 in the "Demystifying" series that TDG and VideoNuze are presenting in 2010, sponsored exclusively by ActiveVideo Networks.
Categories: Events
Topics: NeuLion, ScanScout, TDG, VideoSchmooze, Webinar
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Is Hulu Now Blocking Access for Kylo Users? Yes, It Is.
No sooner did I post "With New Kylo Browser Convergence is Another Step Closer" this morning, than I've come to understand that Hulu programs are now not accessible through the Kylo browser. Hulu worked completely fine for me yesterday, but now when I go to watch a program on Hulu, I'm getting the text message, "Unfortunately this video is not available on your platform. We apologize for any inconvenience." Huh, what's going on here? Is Hulu blocking Kylo users' access to its programs? I've asked Hulu for a comment.
If Hulu is indeed doing this, it's a PR fiasco in the making for the site. Blocking access to its content would mean that Hulu is putting itself on the wrong side of convergence and risking turning off its users (not to mention censoring as if this were China). The episode recalls February, 2009, when Hulu demanded that boxee turn off access to Hulu at the request of its content partners. That tempest highlighted the artificially made quagmire that Hulu's owners find themselves in - eager to have Hulu boost their programs' viewership, so long as it remains on the computer and not on the TV.
With Kylo, Hulu will once again be called upon to justify how it's making decisions. For example, if I'm using Kylo on my computer, how is watching Hulu content any different than if I were using IE, Firefox, Safari, etc? And if I choose to connect my computer to a TV screen, how is that any different than if I connected it to a large monitor? In short, this is a hairball for Hulu.
Update: Hillcrest Labs, the company behind the new Kylo browser, has confirmed that Hulu is indeed preventing its content from being shown. The statement from Hillcrest's CEO Dan Simpkins:
"We have confirmed with Hulu that they are preventing the Kylo browser from playing Hulu videos. Prior to our formal launch, Hulu videos would play within the Kylo browser. Like Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari, the Kylo browser is simply a Web browser that enables consumers to visit any site on the Web. We have tremendous respect for Hulu, and we hope that a continued dialog might influence their thinking."
Meanwhile Hulu seems to be in a bunker. I haven't heard back from them, nor has anyone else it appears. I have confirmed from ABC (one of Hulu's owners) that it found out about Hulu's action when everyone else did, which means that ABC is not the instigator here. Much more on this story as it unfolds.
Update 2: Now Tuesday morning and still no word back from Hulu. Nobody else seems to have heard from them either. It looks like their PR strategy is avoidance. That's a bad move because going mum just means that story continues to live (just ask Tiger).
Hulu's decision to block Kylo users is all about preventing Hulu viewership from migrating to TVs, which would undermine broadcast network economics. That's because Hulu, with its light ad load, still hasn't been able to prove its business model. The problem for Hulu - and the networks - is bigger than Kylo though as the push toward convergence between online video delivery and TV is going to be relentless (lots more on this tomorrow). Hulu is facing an escalating "Whac-a-mole" problem which will only lead to huge user frustration and increasingly tortured justifications.
What do you think? Post a comment now (no sign-in required).Categories: Aggregators, Technology
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