Sukhjit,

Not sure what the timing is on the conference but I'd be very interested to know, if it hasn't taken place yet, whether folks are generally excited by the convergence of media because of (a) the more immersive experience it offers, or (b) because of the advertising opportunities it provides. My high-tech clients are of two minds about this. Most see it as a future wave, but many say the idea of making "TV on my computer" possible is technically challenging, but just isn't very interesting.

Best,

David

Hi David, I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I think you would have liked NewTeeVee. I feel pretty excited about the future of content online... and I think your clients should be too! Viewing habits are changing and the web is where more people are headed.

The folks at NTV seem to be excited and hopeful too. Web speeds are fast, hardware is gets better and better and as a viewer you can find all kinds of content online. And its a good experience, not like 10 years ago when the it was painful to watch video on the web. In addition, broadcast television can be great, but can also be very formulaic and boring. Now you can go to Hulu and find premium content and watch just what you want... I catch up on Lost and Heroes online, I only go to the TV for Project Runway so I hardly ever see commercials.

For content creators, it's easier than ever to produce and share. You can be as specific as you want and find an audience that's interested in that niche. What I think is the most exciting thing about video and the web is the opportunity to interact and engage. Jesse Alexander did a great job talking about what he's done with Heroes and the unique experience he is creating with the Heroes website. It's not about "making TV on the computer", it's about creating a really rich experience & having a chance to connect with your audience. You can't do that with TV but you can with the web. Social media is a great example... it's interaction that creates community and fans... you can't do that with television. Anyone that thinks online video content "isn't very interesting" might miss the boat! The opportunities are fantastic.

I have so much more to say about this, David! I did a vlog and post on after the conference too: http://www.sukhjit.me/post/what-i-learned-at-ne... If you have a minute check out Phil Baumann's video comment. Oh and before I forget, the answer to your question is a & b, people are excited about the experience and the opportunities!

Thank you for posting your question here. It's interesting to hear a different perspective on it all... and I always appreciate the opportunity to talk about the future of the television and the web. I'm curious how your clients would use web video. Would it be for advertising or for internal use?

Hi Sukhjit,

I realized after the post that NewTeeVee was done and gone, so thanks for the detailed reply. I'll check out Phil's video comment, too.

I don't know how clients will use this technology--and they don't, either--so these are really interesting times. Some surprisingly sophisticated tech clients are as behind the curve on this as on blogging, social media, tweeting, and so on, that I wonder if there isn't a generational blindness. (I don't imagine I need to tell you that most of them are male, senior in their roles, and over 50.)

But there are so many potentially interesting and useful applications! On the internal side, I work with so many global organizations who lament that it's difficult to create true engagement when employees and managers are remote, and who speak glowingly of the benefits of bringing everyone together for a team meeting in a single location. Well, it's not quite like being there, but oovoo, seesmic, even google's video mail, get you a whole lot closer than a phone call. And on the external side, just as youtube has turned traditional media on its head with user-generated brand-driving content, I think the potential for truly immersive, user-generated brand experiences is incredible.

But here's the thing: nobody's doing it or thinking about it yet. So, huge opportunity for the folks that can unpack the WIIFM? for these guys.

Thanks again,

David

NewTeeVee is awesome. I have a few questions, I'll get back to you shortly on a few of them :)

Seesmic video reply from Disqus.

Two minutes is nothing! I'm going to have to answer your question in a bit. RIght now I'm listening to a panel on online video treads... doesn't seem like they are interested in investing in content producers... tell you more later. (AND BTW thank you for posting a comment!)

2:40 Second keynote is with Reed Hastings of Netflix.

Lunch time at NewTeeVee

11:45 I'm missing Workshop on "Is Linear TV Dead" to listen to David Verklin, CEO, Canoe Ventures. TV as a platform.

He says TV is not dead and these new future features are why:
Voting & polling functionality. use your remote to connect with you Television. Interact with shows like American Idol or the evening news by voting in polls using your remote.
RFI: Request for information. Click on and add and get something. Like a recipe while watching Emiril or a coupon while watching a commercial.
T commerce: Buy things immediately with your remote instead of going to your computer. He says it will be easier and more useful then going to your computer. Why? Because most people bail out of buying because they don't want to fill out the fields. Cable company already knows everything about you!
Telescoping: I missed what he said about this. Sorry.
Addressability: Targeting viewers by interest. For instance dog lovers will get ads about dog food. "Get rid of irrelevant content".
Where is this going to happen and where? Business model? It will vary just like the web. Pay per performance or pay for click. The set top box should be considered the "computer" of your television. It has information about you and all the features above are enabled by it, he says. The set top box is scaring me even though Dave says the information it's collecting about you is somehow anonymos.

Oh man! I didn't even hear about that one until now. :( Looks like a good one. I look forward to hearing from you how it went. :)

Keep it coming Sukhjit! Since I can't be there, I look forward to your posts on the conference!

Thanks for the encouragement Friend! I'm trying my best to keep up. There is so much great discussion all around. BTW there are a whole bunch of TechTv Alum here. It's cool. Talk to you soon. Oh, on more thing... try the video comment tool. I think you'll like it.

10:00 Jason Kilar from Hulu says that media is an impulse business. Comparing Hulu to Starbucks. Find and enjoy premium content. He said something about 12.6 billion streamed videos last month. I want to work for Hulu after listening to him speak. Sounds like a great company with fantastic leadership.

9:50 Jay Smooth is chatting about his Hip Hop show online at Illdoctrine.com. @renato You would like this guy! He is talking about how this video became successful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Ti-gkJiXc. His theory is "encourage conversation" through his online video. He has made money via sponsorships, but it doesn't sound like he does it for the money. In fact he just said "don't come in to this thinking about money." "There are probably more efficient ways of doing it." LOVE that quote. I believe he does it cause he loves it.

Jay says although YouTube has a reputation for having the lowest common denominator in therms of comments, he has found it is an invaluable place to start conversations.

Social media, he says, helps a small voice become a big voice.

9:45 listening to Ben Ling, Director of Platforms and Syndication, YouTube. He just announced YouTube Monetized embeds. This will help partners monetize via embed using an overlay advert. New embeded player looks really cool. It has a search function. He'll be on a panel this afternoon... I might have to check that one out.

9:30 AM Listening to Michael Buckley from "What the Buck" on YouTube. He says he worked on his online show for a year and a half and didn't make any money. When he discovered his high ranking on YouTube subscriptions he got competitive and then he got noticed. He's now got a deal with HBO Labs, but he says YouTube is the end all be all for him. Michael says sharing his real life is what made him popular. I love that.
Strategic marketing tips: He does the same heartfelt marketing as a "star" that he did as an unknown.

Great quote from Michael, "I'm making more money than I ever thought possible." He also says you have to brand your online pages and participate with your community. He actively promotes his content everywhere, Twitter, Facebook, etc. YouTube seems to be paying him well. He's happy.

http://www.youtube.com/user/WHATTHEBUCKSHOW

Seesmic video reply from Disqus.

@renato How do you monetize ugc?

Looks like it will be very useful and exciting! Have a good time. I'll try to come up with some q's.

Hi Sukhjit - Cool idea... sending a few Qs your way!

Wow Ornit, You weren't kidding! I have your list of questions in hand and will do my best to get them answered. I like that you are pushing me to talk to some of the big players in the conference. I promise to do my best.

hahah... I've spent the last couple of months talking to so many big players.... got a few more on my short list. Glad you are in + thanks in advance! Oh, and have fun!

Enjoy the conference. Looking forward to the responses you get and the questions people ask!

Shailesh! Great to see you leave a comment here. I really appreciate it. I think the transition from TV to web is exciting and I feel like we are just at the beginning. Coming from traditional media, I'm sometimes surprised at how gratifying it is to vlog. It goes against so many traditional models, but the truth is the expression and ability to connect with people interested in MY content is incredible. Vlogging has helped me love production again. Wow! Sorry to go on and on! Hope things are well with you... how's the family!? You also have some exciting days ahead.

hey looks great! - have a good time. I've got a few questions you can fire at jesse for me! :)

Phil! Great to see you here. I've got some questions for Mr Alexander myself, like... "Why is Heroe's so confusing this season!". If you tell me your questions I promise to chase him down. Thanks for stopping by.

So, i'm really interested in what i put on my blog - if you can ask jesse the question around the topic i was talking about - http://me.dm/blog/2008/11/are-we-losing-our-sup...