4 People Are Speaking Their Mind

1. gijsbregt Says:

   July 1st, 2007 at 7:02 am

   None of the channels will broadcast outside the US. That leaves a YouTube aggregator of some sort.

2. VeohTV Simplifies Internet Video | Major Content Providers not Convinced » Web TV Wire Says:

   July 15th, 2007 at 9:31 am

   […] VeohTV Simplifies Internet Video | Major Content Providers not Convinced Posted in: News, Broadband Video Companies, Video Distribution, Internet TV Software & Tools and Veoh by Clayton Moulynox Veoh.com say it’s just making online video easier for users to access. But major content providers, such as NBC and Fox, aren’t convinced that VeohTV is a fair and equitable way for its TV shows to be screened to the masses. It’s an interesting dilemma. VeohTV, by its own definition, is a “virtual television network”. Basically it collates third party video content and re-transmits the shows within its own branded web browser-like software application – all with the genuine intent of making web TV more accessible. (Check out this post for an excellent description). The VeohTV software, which is still in a beta testing phase not available to the public, currently has 114 easy to navigate channels. The contentious issue is that most, if not all, of the content on these channels is showcased without the permission of the content provider. The Argument For and Against Dmitry Shapiro, Veoh Network’s CEO, is convincing with his spin that VeohTV is benefiting the content providers through exposing them to a new audience. The content is freely available already on the internet after all, he argues. He also raises the point that the content is shown exactly as it appears at the source – including any advertisements. Large networks like NBC aren’t buying it though (or selling it, incidentally!). Even though users would be watching the same content, VeohTV would reduce the number of visitors to NBC.com, figures NBC. This means advertising placed on NBC’s website, which would usually be seen by viewers, could miss out on exposure. Less advertising exposure equals less advertising revenue. Advertising revenue is what keeps many websites alive. The bottom line is online video and the right to screen it is a valuable commodity. Is it right that a third party can “replay” free content without the provider’s permission? Only time will tell - watch this space. […]

3. Crackle - Online Video Talent Showcase | Grouper.com Crackles Under YouTube’s Dominance » Web TV Wire Says:

   July 16th, 2007 at 10:14 am

   […] Crackle - Online Video Talent Showcase | Grouper.com Crackles Under YouTube’s Dominance Posted in: News, Web TV Stations, Video Sharing & Video Clips, Broadband Video Companies, Video Distribution and Internet Video Producers by Clayton Moulynox Grouper Networks has announced it’s pulling out of the user-generated video sharing game, citing overcrowding and the dominance of YouTube and MySpace as major reasons. Grouper, which was last year purchased by Sony Corp for $65 million, has already re-branded itself as Crackle and re-launched as a “streaming entertainment network” dedicated to finding and screening the latest online talent. Crackle will feature content supplied from Sony, its many subsidiaries and other exclusive partners. Some content will certainly be funded for production by Crackle, and funded videos that prove popular will be granted additional money to be produced in episodes. The Evolution of Online Video Sean Carey, senior executive vice president of Sony Pictures, says this is the “evolution of online video”. He may well be right. Crackle isn’t simply rebroadcasting programs made for TV, nor is it supporting mass uploading of homemade amateur clips. What it’s doing is sourcing talent and producing content exclusively for online video. Commercially this makes sense – quality programming attracts quality advertisers and quality viewers. Grouper founder, Josh Felser, amusingly points out that “advertisers don’t want their content next to a video of someone jumping off a roof and falling on their head.” As a further incentive to attract professionally produced content, popular video creators may get the chance to pitch ideas for TV shows and feature films to Sony’s media production companies. There’s every possibility for someone to rise from anonymous online video creator to Hollywood superstar. Crackle have coined one of the best tag lines I’ve seen so far: “We’re the best content not on television”. Competition Driving Innovation YouTube’s monolithic presence on the internet is also beginning to compel other video sharing websites to reinvent themselves. Recently Veoh Networks announced its main focus would become its VeohTV software package, although there is some doubt over the longevity of its business plan. Ultimately, the overcrowding of this particular online genre is driving some great innovation from smaller companies forced to come up with a more commercially viable strategy. This can only be healthy for users, content providers and advertisers alike - and shows that the web is still an ever evolving sphere of opportunity. […]

4. Veoh Hires Mitgang as CEO » Web TV Wire Says:

   July 26th, 2007 at 8:12 pm

   […] Online video company Veoh Networks Inc has announced the hiring of Steve Mitgang, formerly of Yahoo!, as its new CEO, replacing Dmitry Shapiro, who is now the Chief Innovation Officer. […]

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