Amazon is the latest streaming media company to pledge its desire to begin producing its own original content. I can’t help feeling this is the start of something big, something that will forever change the way we view television and movies.

A Small Revolution

As we have discussed many times here on WebTVWire there is a small revolution happening in terms of the production of original video content. After years of merely licensing classic television programming, some streaming companies are getting into the game themselves.

We have already seen YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, Yahoo, and others entering into the production side of things. And now Amazon is joining them, with Amazon Studios putting the call out for writers and filmmakers to pitch ideas that could get turned into series. The shows will be exclusive to Amazon Instant Video, the online retailer’s streaming business.

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Although online television companies have been primarily purveyors of traditional TV content to this point, that is changing. original programming is becoming a legitimate proposition, and Hulu is leading the way.

Original Programming

The Internet is changing the way we all consumer content, be it music, movies, games, or television. The networks and cable companies aren’t too happy about this, but it’s happening with or without them.

Not only are there now a multitude of online options for those looking to cut the cord, the companies serving up these new ways of viewing are expanding their remits to include original programming.

Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube are responsible for original content, from Web shorts to professional, network-quality shows. And it’s a trend that is showing no sign of slowing down or disappearing.

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YouTube Live looks set to take off in a big way thanks to the introduction of monetization options. Content owners will now be able to make money from live-streaming content via pay-per-view or in-stream advertising.

YouTube Live

YouTube began experimenting with live-streaming several years ago. In 2008 co-founder Steve Chen signaled it was on its way, and over the next few years carefully controlled live-streaming events such as Indian Premier League cricket matches and a U2 concert were staged to test the technology.

In September 2010 testing began on the live platform with selected partners. A full launch then occurred in April 2011, but the number of partners was limited, with many content owners put off by the lack of monetization options open to them. But no longer.

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The BBC could soon be selling shows – both old and new – to the British public who originally funded the making of this content in the first place. A good idea, but not a wholly moral one.

BBC & The iPlayer

The BBC is responsible for some of the best television content on the planet. Shows such as Doctor Who and Top Gear have millions of fans around the world. And with the iPlayer it also provides one of the best catch-up TV services on the planet too.

However, there is an opportunity being missed here; to sell content to the public after transmission. According to paidContent, the BBC is now developing plans to rectify that situation.

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The world is changing, and the Internet is playing a more-important role in our daily lives than ever before. That isn’t going to change, and the more forward-thinking websites are already looking to a future in which they can dominate.

YouTube Revenues

Up to this point YouTube has struggled to make ends meet. Google, which has owned YouTube since November 2006, has monetized the site with all kinds of different adverts, but the site has hefty costs associated with it which means it’s likely only breaking even. Despite racking up 4 billion views per day.

However, YouTube is now ubiquitous, to the point at which we all YouTube a video in the same way we Google a search term. And that gives YouTube incredible power as the world transitions from old media to Internet-powered new media.

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Web video is maturing, with original programming coming to online content companies. Following hot on the heels of the likes of Netflix, Yahoo! is getting into the original programming game with Electric City.

Electric City

Tom Hanks has had a series in mind for many years, but he’s been waiting for the right opportunity to get it out to the public. That opportunity has now arrived thanks to the Internet.

According to the Associated Press, Electric City will premiere on Yahoo! in the spring. There will be 20 episodes, each 3- to 4-minutes long, of the animated series which taps into social issues.

Gary Goetzman, co-founder of Playtone, Hanks’ production company, said, “It was always our intent to have this project live and breathe online, and we felt Yahoo! would be the perfect home.”

Yahoo! has been upping its original content, but Electric City represents its first foray into scripted programming.

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YouTube remains the premier destination to watch online video. It’s now ubiquitous to the point at which I doubt it will ever lose its place at the top of the market share leader-board. But which were the biggest video hits on YouTube in 2011?

YouTube Rewind 2011

The make-up of videos which appear on YouTube is constantly changing. But two things appear to be constant: 1. Music videos are insanely popular and 2. To score a hit a video must warrant repeat viewing, sharing, and commenting.

YouTube recently revealed what we watched on YouTube over the past 12 months with its YouTube Rewind 2011. The video embedded below acts as an introductions and is presented by one Rebecca Black, whoever she may be.

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