Networks’ answer to YouTube getting plug pulled?
Steve Safran December 20th, 2006
Good scoop at B&C: The networks were considering joining together and coming up with their own answer to YouTube. It was going to feature content from NBC Universal, News Corp., CBS, and Viacom, as well as user-generated stuff. But try getting corporations to agree. Broadcasting and Cable reports that Viacom is walking away from the plan. And that could end this enterprise before it even begins. I spoke with Variety’s Scott Kirsner about the plan earlier today, before this development. (Good timing on that story.) Networks getting together to start an online concern? Way too difficult. Rupert and Sumner are not going to get on the same page, which is a shame since the nets have such a deep catalogue of content we’d all love to see if it were online. Again I wonder: When will traditional media actually pioneer a great new form of technology instead of bickering over it?
6 Comments Add your own
1. Charlie Sierra | December 19th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
Two points:
1) The obsession with YouTube.com clearly highlights their real problem which is lack of attention or even respect for their audience, you know the customers.
2) WRT to your last question, the answer is never. Thats not how the business game is played.
Very quickly: There are only 3 real strategies in business, 1) Innovation, 2) Immitation and 3) Frustration. Big companies can only manage 2 and 3, cuz a big company that could do 1, would close the door to the real innovators in this world, ie. entreprenuers, and that would suck.
Its just one of God’s little checks and balances thingies. tic.
2. Dan | December 19th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
Steve, you want these guys to get together?
That is insane. Why is it good for even less
creativity and even less risks between companies?
I don’t get your comments at all.
This is clearly not good for anyone for there to be LESS
voices. Take your corporate hat off dude.
Think like a writer or producer or director for a second.
You want all of us to have to go through ONE owner
to get something out there?
Dan
3. Safran | December 19th, 2006 at 10:18 pm
I believe I may not have explained myself well enough if that’s your takeaway. I wrote that they would have a very hard time pulling this off, and indeed that was so. There could have been a market for their content if they had done what we’ve espoused all along: opened their content wide, and given us all the ability to embed and share the way YouTube does.
I don’t disapprove of the nets getting together to do this - if they do it right. And I see no hidrance to creativity online. Creativity is boundless now. However it was clear that this was an unlikely venture.
I’ve never been accused of wearing the corporate hat, though. New one for me.
4. Dan | December 20th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
I take it back, the corporate hat part,
spirit of the holidays and all.
Dan
5. thedetroitchannel | December 20th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
why take it back?
he was seen wearing a tall top hat only a few weeks ago.
so the corporate hat is a distinct possibility.
6. Liey | January 18th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Wow, thanks for the excellent information!
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