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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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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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3 Video Predictions for 2012: YouTube's Suzie Reider
Following are 3 video predictions for 2012 from Suzie Reider, head of ad sales for YouTube and Google Display.
Categories: Predictions
Topics: Predictions, 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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3 Video Predictions for 2012: Jim Louderback, CEO, Revision3
Jim Louderback, CEO of Revision3, an independent special interest video network, kicks of VideoNuze's year-end feature of posting the top 3 video predictions for 2012 from executives around the industry.
Categories: Predictions
Topics: Amazon, Apple, Google, Kinect, Microsoft, Revision3, Siri, YouTube
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Twitvid Launches Social Video Network
Twitvid is broadening its mission today, from being a way to share mobile videos to Twitter, to becoming an "open social video network" that allows users to subscribe to particular channels or video feeds that interest them. The channels could be based on topics, people or brands, and consist of videos sourced from YouTube, Vimeo and Twitvid itself initially, with others to follow. Twitvid's CEO Mo Adham explained to me last week that because users are prone to view video from multiple sources, the new initiative helps simplify the overall video experience. When selecting a particular channel, all the new videos that have been added to it auto-play. Channels can be private or public and shared via social networks with friends and followers.
Categories: Social Media
Topics: Facebook, Twitvid, YouTube
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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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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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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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With New Channels On Deck, YouTube Plays "Strategic Catalyst" Role in Online Video Industry
Yesterday the WSJ reported that YouTube may unveil a batch of new original content "channels" as early as next week. YouTube is reportedly investing $100 million in the initiative, with potential content partners including Electus, ShineReveille, FremantleMedia, Tony Hawk, and CSI's Anthony Zuiker. While it's too early to know exactly how all of this will work, I think it is evidence of YouTube playing an important "strategic catalyst" role for the online video industry.
I initially explained this concept last April, comparing YouTube's investment in online-only programming to how cable operators invested in and nurturedearly cable TV networks several decades ago. It's increasingly difficult to recall these networks' humble origins in the midst of current high-profile original entertainment programming and sports broadcasts, not to mention ratings wins, but the reality is that in their fledgling days, distributors were cable networks' lifeblood. Cable operators provided cable networks with distribution, promotion and importantly a business model (monthly affiliate fees and eventually advertising), all of which would expand in the ensuing years. YouTube is now laying the groundwork to do exactly the same thing for online-only programming.
Categories: Advertising, Indie Video
Topics: YouTube
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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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Google Rolls Out AdWords for Video, Driving Performance-Based Video Ad Model
Google is announcing AdWords for Video in beta this morning, which radically simplifies the process of creating and running video ad campaigns that reach Google/YouTube's vast audiences. The new initiative also bolsters YouTube's "True View" performance-based approach as Google tries to move the market away from the traditional impressions-based spending.
AdWords for Video creates a dedicated video campaign management capability in the standard AdWords dashboard so that advertisers can efficiently allocate their spending and monitor results. AdWords for Video will benefit from YouTube's status as the biggest video destination, and Google's as the number 1 search engine.
Categories: Advertising
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Winners and Losers Due to Netflix's Decision to Split DVDs
Netflix's bizarre decision to separate its DVD business from its streaming business will have significant ramifications for the video ecosystem. Below are some of the clear winners, potential winners and clear losers.
Categories: Aggregators
Topics: Amazon, Apple, Blockbuster, DISH, Facebook, Google, Hulu, Netflix, Redbox, VUDU, YouTube
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MOVIECLIPS.com Partners With YouTube, Raises $7 Million
MOVIECLIPS.com has struck a deal with YouTube so that 20,000+ licensed HD movie clips will now become available in the "Movie Extras" section of
YouTube movies, as well as on the MOVIECLIPS YouTube channel. In addition, MOVIECLIPS is announcing a $7 million Series B financing led by MK Capital and including prior investors.
The YouTube distribution deal is significant in giving MOVIECLIPS' library broader exposure and monetization potential than it has had. MOVIECLIPS has struck licensing deals with six Hollywood studios. MOVIECLIPS uses its technology to generate up to 1,000 points of metadata, so that users can quickly find the best of Hollywood's most memorable moments.
Categories: Aggregators, Deals & Financings, FIlms
Topics: MOVIECLIPS.com, YouTube
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YouTube Delivers 1 Billion "Promoted Videos" Ads
More evidence of YouTube's ability to monetize its massive user base: the company has announced that it has delivered 1 billion views of its "Promoted Videos" ads since launching the program less than 3 years ago. Promoted Videos are an extension of Google's AdWords model, allowing advertisers to upload short video spots, specify keyword results against which Promoted Videos should be highlighted and then set a campaign spending limit.
Categories: Advertising
Topics: YouTube
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Old Spice Nails It Again; Generates 22 Million Views for Last Week's Fabio "Challenge"
P&G's Old Spice is quickly becoming the poster child for branded entertainment success, as its latest campaign, featuring a challenge from "New Old Spice Guy Fabio" against Old Spice Guy Isaiah Mustafa generated 22 million views on YouTube last week according to YouTube Trends. In the challenge, dubbed "Mano a Mano En El Bano," viewers were asked to vote on a series of videos of Fabio and Mustafa (which Mustafa won).
Categories: Branded Entertainment
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VideoNuze Report Podcast #105 - Coldwell Banker's On Location - July 22, 2011
Daisy Whitney and I are pleased to present the 105th edition of the VideoNuze Report podcast, for July 22, 2011.
In this week's podcast, Daisy and I broaden our focus beyond how media companies are using online video by discussing Coldwell Banker's "On Location" YouTube channel, which I wrote about earlier this week. The customized mapping unit in On Location allows home buyers to easily find and play videos about homes that meet their criteria as a starting point in their search process. Daisy notes that On Location is another example of how consumers are able to take better control and use online tools to educate themselves. Smart companies like Coldwell Banker are using online video to reinvent the way they do business and stay relevant in the changing digital world.
Click here to listen to the podcast (11 minutes, 56 seconds)
Click here for previous podcasts
The VideoNuze Report is available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Brand Marketing, Podcasts
Topics: Coldwell Banker, Podcast, YouTube
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