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YouTube's Content Head Kyncl at CES: The Niches Rule
Yesterday, Robert Kyncl, YouTube's VP of Global Content Partnerships, delivered a keynote address at CES with one overriding message: the future of video is all about the niches. Whether highlighting the success of Michelle Phan, a YouTube star that outdraws the Style Network on cable, the virtues of a forthcoming dedicated "Yoga Channel" for 17 million enthusiasts, or noting that the top 5 YouTube partners today all have audiences big enough to rank them among the top 20 TV networks, Kyncl made clear that YouTube is staking its future on the video industry fracturing into highly-specialized viewing segments.
Categories: Advertising, Aggregators, Indie Video
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Hollywood's A-Listers Embrace Online Video, Upending the Status Quo
Tom Hanks. Louis C.K. Lisa Kudrow. Kevin Spacey. David Fincher. Bill Maher. Jennifer Lopez. Judy Greer. Steven Van Zandt. Anthony Zuiker. Morgan Spurlock. Ed Begley, Jr. Heidi Klum. What do these Hollywood A-Listers (or near A-Listers) and other stars all have in common? They're all involved in original online video projects which are helping upend the Hollywood ecosystem, legitimize the online medium and further fragment audiences. Each no doubt has his/her own reasons for getting involved, and taken together they're creating momentum that is going to draw in even more talent.
Of course, the big news this week was Tom Hanks partnering with Yahoo for the animated series "Electric City." Hanks, one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, said he was drawn by the opportunity to make "ambiguous attractive" which feels like another way of saying he's searching for greater creative freedom. While creativity may be motivating Hanks, in Louis C.K.'s case, it seems more about tweaking the System and proving that when presented with a compelling offer (in this case a $5 DRM-free download of his "Live at the Beacon Theater" special), people will behave properly (i.e. pay rather than steal).
Categories: Aggregators, Devices, Indie Video
Topics: AOL, Netflix, Tom Hanks, Yahoo, YouTube
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Blockbuster Adds Streaming Content, But Still Only Available to Dish Subscribers
Dish Network made a series of announcements today (enhanced HBO on demand access, whole-home DVR, bundled satellite broadband with ViaSat, expanded Univision distribution), but the one that caught my eye focused on increased video selection for its "Blockbuster@Home" online service, a new brand name which looks like it will replace the "Blockbuster Movie Pass" brand that Dish unveiled back in September. Specifically, Dish said it has added 3,000 titles targeted to kids ages 3-13 with partners Vivendi Entertainment, Cookie Jar, Lions Gate and Scholastic Media.
Categories: Aggregators, Satellite
Topics: Blockbuster, DISH
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VideoNuze Report Podcast #115 - Video Viewing Goes Multiplatform
I'm pleased to be joined once again by Colin Dixon, senior partner at The Diffusion Group, for the 115th edition of the VideoNuze Report podcast, for Jan. 6, 2012. In today's podcast Colin and I discuss several new data points around multi-platform video adoption. Colin cites a U.K. report that says 36% of people are watching TV via a PC, laptop or tablet device and discusses the impactions of changing viewer behaviors, just latest in a string of research showing changing viewing patterns.
Categories: Aggregators, Podcasts
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Netflix's 2 Billion Streaming Hours in Q4 Blows Away Competitors
Netflix subscribers appear to be spending far more time viewing the service's streaming content than do users of any other online video destination.
According to new data Netflix released today, its 20 million subscribers consumed 2 billion hours of streaming TV shows and movies in Q4 '11. Using simple averages, that would mean each subscriber streamed 100 hours during the quarter, or approximately 2,000 minutes per month (about 33 hours). That's roughly 4 1/2 times the level of YouTube's time spent/viewer. According to comScore, YouTube, which dominates total monthly volume of online video, had approximately 151 million U.S. users in November, 2011, who viewed 444.5 minutes each, on average.
Categories: Aggregators
Topics: comScore, Hulu, Netflix, YouTube
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Globally, YouTube's Market Share is 20 Times Its Nearest Competitor's
I've often said that YouTube is the 800-pound gorilla of online video, but I was always basing that on its share of the U.S. market. Now, with comScore's first-ever release of global data from its Video Metrix service, it's clear that YouTube is in fact planet earth's 800-pound gorilla of online video.
As seen in the chart below, in October YouTube delivered almost 44% of the 201 billion videos viewed globally, nearly 20 times as much as China's Youku, which was in second place with 2.3%, and nearly 7 times as much as the #2-5 players. Since the global market is so fragmented, based on some assumptions I've made, it's quite possible that YouTube has more market share globally than the top 100 video sites, combined. Wow.
Categories: Aggregators
Topics: comScore, Google, YouTube
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Verizon Won't Easily Snag Netflix
Verizon is getting its full turn in the rumor mill. Last week, word had it that Verizon is looking to launch an OTT subscription service. Next, Verizon was teaming up with Redbox. And the latest rumor yesterday is that Verizon isplanning a bid to acquire Netflix, which sent Netflix's beleaguered stock up by 6%, and more today. As always, you can never be sure what to believe. But let's assume for a moment that Verizon is sniffing around Netflix. While the combination makes a certain amount of sense, Verizon's big challenge will be that if Netflix is truly in play, unlike others, I would expect pretty healthy bidding competition.
Categories: Aggregators, Deals & Financings
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VideoNuze Report Podcast #113 - Verizon and the OTT Market
I'm pleased to be joined once again by Colin Dixon, senior partner at The Diffusion Group, for the 113th edition of the VideoNuze Report podcast, for Dec. 9, 2011. In today's podcast Colin and I discuss this week's rumors of Verizon potentially launching an OTT subscription video service outside its market areas. As I wrote earlier this week, I'm skeptical of their ability to succeed, but Colin is more sanguine.
Adding to this week's intrigue was a separate report suggesting that Verizon intends to team up with Redbox on the initiative. Meanwhile Verizon isn't willing to talk about any of this, and these days you can't be sure what to believe. Beyond Verizon, in the podcast we also discuss other players' role in the OTT space such as YouTube, Dish, Amazon and Vudu, and how they're each positioned. Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (16 minutes, 27 seconds)
Click here for previous podcasts
The VideoNuze Report is available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Aggregators, Podcasts, Telcos
Topics: Amazon, DISH, Podcast, Verizon, VUDU, YouTube
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Netflix's Xbox Upgrade Brings a Chorus of Boos
Netflix announced its new Xbox experience this morning, but if the company was hoping for an enthusiastic reaction, it's instead getting a rousing chorusof boos from dozens of Xbox users. Nearly all of the comments on Netflix's blog post on the upgrade are negative, with some characterizing it as more of a downgrade and asking if or how they can restore the old Netflix experience.
Categories: Aggregators, Devices, Games
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Verizon Needs to Bring More than a Knife to the OTT Gunfight
Late yesterday Reuters reported that Verizon is looking at launching an online-only subscription service for streaming movies and TV shows outside its geographical footprint. While
such a move initially seems disruptive to incumbents like Netflix and others, the folks at Verizon better remember the old adage about not bringing a knife to a gunfight; if they really want to compete, significant investments in content and promotions are going to be required. Even then, it's not yet clear to me how Verizon succeeds in this highly competitive space.
Categories: Aggregators, Telcos
Topics: Amazon, CBS, EPIX, HBO, Netflix, Starz, Time Warner, UltraViolet, Verizon, VUDU, YouTube
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YouTube's Redesign: The Long-Term Siege on Pay-TV Begins
Yesterday YouTube launched its most significant redesign yet, with a strong emphasis on channelizing the site, deeply personalizing the experience, and integrating social interaction throughout. As the introductory blog post says, the redesign is all about helping users "discover a broader range of entertainment on YouTube." And though YouTube would never admit it, I think the redesign marks the start of a long-term siege on the traditional pay-TV model. YouTube is squarely focused on would-be cord-cutters and especially the younger generation of "cord-nevers" for whom the web has already become a bona fide alternative to expensive pay-TV services.
Categories: Aggregators, Cable Networks, Cable TV Operators, Satellite, Telcos
Topics: YouTube
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With New Disney Deal, Is YouTube Poised to Disrupt Online Movie Rentals?
Last Wednesday, just before the Thanksgiving break, YouTube announced a deal with Walt Disney Studios which will make hundreds of new and classic
movies from Disney, Pixar and DreamWorks available for rental. The Disney deal adds to the online movie rentals (or "iVOD" as this category is also known) initiative YouTube announced last May. Between the breadth of movies soon to be available, its aggressive pricing - including $.99 rentals on recently-released blockbusters, its integration in numerous connected devices and of course, its status as the online video market's 800-pound gorilla, YouTube may just have what it takes to disrupt the iVOD market, impacting the broader Hollywood and movie distribution industries.
Categories: Aggregators, FIlms, Studios, Video On Demand
Topics: Amazon, Apple, Disney, iTunes, Netflix, YouTube
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Netflix Raises $200 Million From TCV, Board Member's Investment Firm
Talk about keeping it all in the family: Netflix's newly issued $200 million convertible debt (part of a $400 million financing announced yesterday) was bought by Technology Crossover Ventures, an investment firm that wasco-founded by Netflix board of directors member Jay Hoag, and where Netflix's former CFO Barry McCarthy is now a venture partner. There's nothing untoward about the move and TCV is a long-time Netflix investor. In fact, given the pair's intimate understanding of Netflix's operations, the move could actually be interpreted as a real vote of confidence in the company's future. Or, on the other hand, it could be seen as a sort of hard-luck loan as the company struggles to regain its footing in the wake of massive recent missteps and aggressive expansion plans.
Categories: Aggregators, Deals & Financings
Topics: Netflix, Technology Crossover Ventures
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VideoNuze Report Podcast #110 - OTT Distributors' Strategies
Daisy Whitney and I are pleased to present the 110th edition of the VideoNuze Report podcast, for Nov. 4, 2011. This week, Daisy and I discuss major over-the-top (OTT) distributors' content strategies and how these companies are each trying to position themselves in the market. As I wrote earlier this week, while Netflix has recently gained a lot of attention, Hulu, Amazon, YouTube and others have been plenty busy as well. Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (15 minutes, 5 seconds)
Click here for previous podcasts
The VideoNuze Report is available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Aggregators, Podcasts
Topics: Podcast
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With Recent Deals, OTT Distributors' Content Strategies Are Crystallizing
Amid the drama and headlines surrounding OTT distributors (e.g. Netflix price increases and Qwikster decision, on-again/off-again Hulu sale, etc.), these companies' content strategies actually seem to be crystallizing, with each trying to stake out a somewhat distinct value proposition for their users. True, there is still plenty of blurriness between them, and each appears reluctant to be pigeon-holed, but recent deals suggest how each OTT distributor is positioning itself.
Below is a summary of the content strategies of most of the major OTT distributors (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, YouTube, Walmart/VUDU, iTunes and Blockbuster) with a catchphrase that best describes their approach:
Categories: Aggregators
Topics: Amazon, Blockbuster, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, VUDU, YouTube
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VideoNuze Report Podcast #109 - Netflix Q3 Results - Oct. 28, 2011
Daisy Whitney and I are pleased to present the 109th edition of the VideoNuze Report podcast, for Oct. 28, 2011.
In this week's podcast, Daisy and I discuss Netflix's Q3 '11 results which it reported earlier this week. There's been a lot of coverage of Netflix's 800K subscriber loss in the U.S. in Q3, plus its dismal Q4 forecast, and we try to get behind the numbers to assess what they mean and where Netflix goes from here. Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (16 minutes, 33 seconds)
Click here for previous podcasts
The VideoNuze Report is available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Aggregators, Podcasts
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Netflix Dodges Qwikster's Bullet in Q3, But Pricing Changes to Kill Q4 Results
Netflix's Q3 earnings are in, with the company reporting it lost just over 800K U.S. subscribers to end the quarter at approximately 23.8 million subscribers. Although it's a dreadful performance compared with Q3 '10 when it gained 1.8 million subscribers, the reality is it could have been much, much worse. As I wrote earlier today, Netflix had lowered its Q3 U.S. target by 1 million to 24 million, on September 15th. But the Qwikster split-off was only announced 3 days later, unleashing a fury of negative sentiment. The big question was just how that sentiment would translate into subscriber losses. The answer turns out to be "just" another 200K vs. the reforecast.
Categories: Aggregators
Topics: Netflix
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What To Look For In Netflix's Q3 Results Later Today
After the market closes today Netflix will release its highly anticipated Q3 results, which will lay bare the full consequences of the company's decision to raise its rates, spin off the DVD operation as Qwikster, and then reverse itself, all of which happened during the chaotic quarter. The key thing to look at is how all of this affected U.S. subscribers - how many new ones were acquired during the quarter, how many churned out and of course what the ending total is. After all the ink that's been spilled speculating on management's decision-making, these metrics - plus its Q4 guidance - will reveal just how severe the impact of all these decisions really was.
Categories: Aggregators
Topics: Netflix
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As Viacom-Google Appeal Begins, Question Remains Why Can't They Make a Deal?
Remember Viacom's $1 billion copyright infringement suit against YouTube initiated 4 1/2 years ago, which was decided in Google's favor last June? Well, it's alive and well, and this morning the parties will appear for short oral arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York, as Viacom begins its appeal of the decision. Of course Viacom has every right to keep pursuing the matter, but what I've wondered about from the beginning of this case is why haven't the parties been able to make a mutually beneficial business deal so that they can put the litigation aside. As the online video market has matured over the past 4 1/2 years, with the potential dollars up for grabs growing, it's become an even bigger mystery to me.
Categories: Aggregators, Cable Networks
Topics: Google, Viacom, YouTube
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No Surprise, No Deal for Hulu. Here's What Changed.
Last evening, Hulu's owners announced in a short statement that the company will not be sold after all. The news came as no surprise to me. VideoNuze readers will recall that back on June 22, when the first rumors of Hulu potentially being up for sale surfaced, I posted, "Here's Why Any Deal for Hulu is Unlikely."
In that post I explained how Hulu's primary asset - next-day distribution rights to ABC/Fox/NBC programs - would be at the heart of its valuation. The
big challenge with selling Hulu was that its owners would have to pass these rights (albeit likely reformulated) to an unaffiliated and uncontrollable 3rd-party, at the same time as online video delivery has injected massive uncertainty into their businesses. This issue, rather than lower-than-expected bids as some have tritely suggested, is why Hulu's owners ultimately decided to pull Hulu off the block.
Though this was always the central issue in any Hulu deal, I believe 3 things happened in the past 4 months that crystallized the importance for Hulu's owners of maintaining full control of their distribution rights:
Categories: Aggregators, Deals & Financings
Topics: Comcast, Disney, Hulu, News Corp.
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