Daily Marauder

WHO, WHAT, WHERE: ONLINE VIDEO DISTRIBUTION

The dominant players in online video distribution seem to be the purveyors of free content over linear TV air: the broadcast networks. Being the most avant-garde players in the space, I decided to investigate deeper on the what, where and by whom in this case focusing on the big four: ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox. I did not list every platform instead opting for the more dominant players in the space. I invite any and all comments and critique in the hopes of continuing to improve upon the original.

BROADCAST/CABLE

Google, which has been running its TV Ads service for certain advertisers on invitation only, will in the next few weeks allow anyone with a broadband connection to buy ad time. The service, delivered via Dish, includes 94 channels, including ESPN, CNN, Bravo and MTV. (Multichannel News 4/13)

Google TV Ads Demo

The corporate fate of Time Warner Cable could be known April 30. That’s when parent Time Warner has scheduled its next earnings call and new Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bewkes has said a determination would be made on whether to spin off the country’s No. 2 cable company. Such a move would free up Time Warner Cable to determine its own strategic future. (Multichannel News 4/12)

Rather than hosting a traditional upfront presentation as planned, The CW will throw a cocktail party the evening of May 13 instead, reported Variety. Originally, The CW was going to have its regular upfront presentation May 15 at Madison Square Garden, the same day FOX will present. Now The CW party has moved to a tent near Lincoln Center and will start at 530p with the programming presentation beginning at 630p. ABC’s upfront will be earlier that afternoon. (Cynopsis 4/14)

CBS’ Survivor 17, which premieres this fall, will be the first reality show to be produced in hi-def for the network and will join only a few other reality shows produced in this more costly format.  Three other reality competition shows, all studio-based, are produced in hi-def: ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, FOX’s American Idol and NBC’s American Gladiators. (Cynopsis 4/14)

A partnership has formed between History Channel and The Library of Congress for the purpose of sharing The Library of Congress’ collections via the various History brands: The History Channel, History International, History En Espanol, Military History Channel and history.com. This arrangement, which gives users a variety of formats to access the information, will encompass original documentaries and specials on the History channel to co-branded content on history.com and more. (Cynopsis 4/14, http://www.insidebrandedentertainment.com/bep/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003789028 4/13)

Viewers of African-American-centric cable net BET are 21% more likely to respond favorably to ads on that channel than they would on others, according to a study from Simmons Market Research Bureau.  BET executives plan to use the study in their upfront presentations to show marketers that BET understands black consumers. (Broadcasting & Cable 4/13)

FOX ordered a two-hour sci-fi pilot called Virtuality from Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica) and produced by Universal Media Studios.  Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun along with Ronald and Michael Taylor are executive producers. The plot is about 12 astronauts on a ten-year journey aboard the Earth’s first starship called the Phaeton. (Cynopsis 4/14)

ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA

Revision3 is trying out a new clickable web video interface powered by VideoClix, allowing users to click on objects with the video for additional info including product information or background info about the host. (Cynopsis 4/14)

VideoClix Demo: Entourage

TitanTV debuts two new shows today starring VH1 comedian and Glamour columnist Michael Somerville. “Lunch Break with Somerville” offers a rundown on pop culture and current events. “Love, Somerville” is an advice magazine for the lovelorn, co-starring TitanTV personalities Grace Randolph and Liza de Guia. (Cynopsis 4/14)

The funniest thing about this show is the opening song.  I’m recommending a quality control system for online video.  We have one for meat products.  I think it’s time someone devotes some energy to maintaining some level of quality on the internet.  Stop the insanity!!

AOL is expected to announce today that it has entered an advertising deal with telecommunications company Verizon. Under the deal, AOL will manage online ad sales for Verizon through its Platform A division. (MSN Money/Reuters 4/14)

Meanwhile Microsoft dealt with the privacy hot potato by proposing its own 5-tiered structure for self-regulation. The plan outlines practices pertaining to collection data about site visitors, delivering ads on unrelated sites, behavioral advertising practices, use of personally identifiable information and use of sensitive personal data. (Cynopsis 4/14)

Despite the apparent elegance of a single, unified search ad system, advertising executives worry that a combined Google and Yahoo search product would drive cost-per-click marketing prices higher by eliminating all competition in the marketplace, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.  Media buyers are also concerned about glitches caused by integrating the two systems. (Cynopsis 4/14)

YouTube is planning to create an ad-free political portal lawmakers can use to reach constituents without violating House rules. Current regulations, set in the 18th century by the Franking Commission, frown on links between campaigns and commerce-related entities - making embedding YouTube videos on representatives’ sites technically illegal, according to The Washington Post. (Cynopsis 4/14)

The creators of the hit interactive drama Kate Modern have announced their latest project. MySpace will commission sixty 4-5 minute webisodes of I love Chieftown debuting in the fall, following aspiring filmmaker Jamie around east London as she documents an up-and-coming band. It sounds like a perfect way to promote MySpace’s planned online music store as well as test the company’s new distribution deal with Elizabeth Murdorch’s ShineReveille. (Cynopsis 4/14)

TECHNOLOGY

(Below) Who ARE these people buying analog TV’s in 2007?  My grandfather didn’t even buy an analog television 4 years ago.  The FCC should probably go ahead and fine these consumers for failing to innovate. . .even a little bit.

The FCC is handing out over $3.9 million in proposed fines to retailers including Wal-Mart, Target and Sears for failing to inform consumers the analog TVs they sold in 2007 won’t be able to receive digital signals without a separate tuner after Feb. 17, 2009. Manufactures such as LG and Vizio are also being fined for labeling violations. (Cynopsis 4/14)

MISC

Blockbuster said it made an offer in February to acquire Circuit City stores for more than $1 billion, but is still withholding a definitive proposal until Circuit City provides due diligence. Blockbuster said it planned an all-cash offer of $6 to $8 a share, but Circuit City questions the financing of the deal. (ClipSyndicate/Bloomberg 4/14, The Wall Street Journal 4/14, The Washington Post/Reuters 4/14, Bloomberg 4/14)