IMF Group

Media, New Media: Convergence - is misleading

I wrote a paper about this - if you like I could post it here - convergence as a term with Media & New Media is misleading - TV and the mass media models will never be replaced by the Internet as they are effectively two separate markets - TV, Newspapers and cable including satellite are true mass media technologies whereas the Internet is not - and with the current pipes and technology it is not going to be - I am not saying here that the Internet will not have a effect on the media (old media if u like) because it will - any use of the Internet for access to entertainment or even other purposes whatever that might be – will effectively take away part of the market from Broadcasters – but not in the way that most people postulate – there are new technologies in place Using the next generation of interactive video technology and services, through the global adoption of the Real Time Content Media Platforms – this will allow potentially companies that I work with in New York and San Francisco to use their technologies and enterprise platforms for the formation of personalised TV channels on the Internet - targeted directly to you and hence paid for by targeted advertising.

I keep saying this – Old media needs to use the facilities of the Internet – for forming communities – to involve all viewers into supporters of a particular show or network – sort if you like like the old fan web sites – but in this case to actually involve them and listen to what they have to say.

Hard copy versions of Old Media, Newspapers, magazines will be hit fairly hard in the long term – but it will not obliterate the media – what may be the death knell for Newspapers as we know them, primarily me thinks due to the costs of distribution via costs of production and transport, printing costs and the long term backlash for sustainability in all media.

Have a look here for the download of my original paper..however my views have changed from earlier this year as well - now I don't consider the impact will be as profound.

Tags: Convergence+is+misleading

Internet Content - There is no one in charge..

Further to my previous blog entry – here

One day the content producers will start treating the Internet as an ally and not the enemy. Life is about change and the Internet is and has been challenging the old business models of the Multi-national content producers – the thing is the Internet cannot be controlled or governed.  Forgot the old ideas that you have to control all avenues of distribution – work with – and eliminate the problem.

The trouble with and at the same time the beauty of the Internet is that no one is in charge and therefore no one is responsible, so no one to sue. So in this case Viacom in their hunt for income – they say they are loosing – how they can quantify this I don’t know, so the content producers are going after the portal itself.  Which is owned by Google – sounds like it will be easy - a walk in the park - No I don't think so.

The Internet is all about forming communities and the provision of information, normally free, we pay for this in our connection charges to our ISP & Telco’s for access, and the corporate world reaps its income through the results of paid online advertising

Viacom obviously does own the content and yes they have a right to control its presentation by licensing in the Media whether it be the old Cinema or monopolistic media, or by download via the Internet. But you cannot win this fight - does this mean you will attempt to take to court every single portal accessing the internet that uses content such as video, audio or even script.

What they should consider – is to use the Internet and provide all of their content at give away prices, or funded by say advertising either within the content or via a YouTube type of control (where you cannot download). 

Some ideas…

For instance, what if you said to your audience on the Internet, I will give you the content for free on the basis that you sign up an account where I can target you with relevant advertising for you interests. This is TV on the net, I know that there are several companies that provide this type of technology for such a portal now.  There are a number of other business models as well.

What about digital control – where someone can download the content from the original providers site – and get to view it for say 30 days – after that it would no longer play – and they pay a  nominal amount to re-activate it or why not have advertising built into the downloaded content and you can get rid of the advertising by again paying a nominal fee. You could encrypt a license into the video content itself – therefore if someone then uploaded the content as above – you would have someone to hold accountable.  But whatever you decide to do,keep the operations and admin, automatic and the biggest of all - KEEP IT SIMPLE $%%^$#. Administration on-line would be a breeze.

After all your business is the creation, production, distribution and licensing of content – so sell it – how, it doesn’t really matter, after all, your are used to dealing in quantity - in this case you are in a large numbers game – 10 or 100 million downloads at $1 or $2 cash or payment by licensing advertising still is serious money. After all what are your costs then for distribution per download, a couple of cents?

Please send all job offers to this address - 7fnmail@gmail.com – guys and gals grow up – law suits in this case are counter productive – but they do benefit one industry – the lawyers – they are basically the only people who win.

Tags: Internet, Content+over+the+internet, Internet+is+a+ally

Will you still visit YouTube

Judge Louis Stanton of New York has ordered that Google, which owns YouTube, must pass on the details of more than 100 million people - to Viacom, the US broadcasting company which owns channels including MTV and Nickelodeon.

The decision is the latest development is a convoluted and lengthy court battle between the two companies – in essence Viacom claims that Google encourages copyright infringement on the video sharing website. The Judge, who is presiding over the $1bn lawsuit, said the data hand over was required in order to allow Viacom to build its case.

Visit YouTube – don’t think so! If you do, don’t download or link to licensed content that has been illegally uploaded.

On the other side Google has got to get their act together – to vet content with a vengeance.

Please see the full article here – article

Tags: Youtube+content, Google+and+youtube, Viacom

There Is Still A Great Future For Print Newspapers

The basic message, as told by Gavin O’Reilly, President of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), is that newspapers are not being reinvented, they are simply going through evolution.

Gavin O’Reilly had a very much “take no prisoners” approach – he blames financial analysts and media commentators for spreading misconceptions about the newspaper industry.  I consider as usual the hype that surrounds industry that are involved in the Internet that they are all things to all people. 

The next thing that will happen is the someone in authority at Google or Yahoo or perhaps even Microsoft will come out with a statement that within 5–10 years all media, no doubt electronic and publishing  will out through the Internet.

What utter rubbish.  I know that he was speaking to the converted here as if the Publishers don’t believe in their own businesses then who will.

However I do consider that the future of Newspapers will have to change – to evolve – to have a significant online presence.

Anyway the content of the article is here – Future of Newspapers

ITU study group approves IPTV standard

At last - we now have an official standard for IPTV - see the article here

The approved standardization Recommendation J.700 “IPTV Service Requirements and Framework for Secondary Distribution - Secondary distribution is an ITU term meaning use of a transmission channel for distribution of video / audio programs to users at large, for example, by an over-the-air broadcast channel or by means of a fiber or cable network.

Tags: ITU, IPTV, IPTV Standard

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Avid shake-up leads to withdrawal from NAB2008

AVID reveals it will not have an exhibition booth at the NAB 2008 show.

See the article here - http://www.broadcastandmedia.com/articles/D1/0C0520D1.asp

Don't know about you, but this sounds "woolly: and suspiciously like "spin" - I wonder what the real reason is ?

Tags: AVID, NAB 2008

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Warner Brothers to Develop Media Hub in United Arab Emirates

U.S. entertainment company Warner Brothers has announced that it will work with partners in the United Arab Emirates to finance films and video games, and to build a hotel and theme park in Abu Dhabi.

The U.S. company will help develop a theme park and hotel that UAE real estate developer Aldar will build.  Construction on both projects is expected to begin in 2009.

Warner Brothers said the deal will help the company extend its operation and brand throughout the region.

Here is the original article..

Tags: Warner Brothers, UAE, United Arab Emirates