YouTube has released their list of the 10 most watched commercials of 2010, and looking at it proves how when it comes to creating online advertising experiences, today’s Mad Men are finding real success by looking beyond the 30 second broadcast spot. Read more »
It’s that time of year again, when publications like the New York Times overflow with profiles of actors up for Oscar contention. But while the Times’s coverage features an innovative use of video, MTV’s got the edge in capturing who an actor really is. Read more »
In the world of independent production, there’s a lot to be said for keeping one’s concept in scale with the production value available. Today’s example: the action comedy miniseries Today of All Days, which pulls off its objectives with flair and originality. Read more »
The guys at Machinima.com just got done proving their l33t status, thanks to an epic live-streamed gaming marathon that lasted over three weeks. But the real purpose of the Call of Duty challenge was to see if an epic live event might have potential for advertisers. Read more »
Hulu Plus is becoming available on more and more connected devices these days, and features a pretty slick user interface. But given that a lot of Hulu content isn’t available on Hulu Plus, does it make sense as a service for those dropping their cable? Read more »
With HBO’s relationship with cable providers rockier than usual, thanks to its subscriber base dropping by 1.5 million, statements by Chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes indicate that the premium cable offering may be looking for alternative means of distribution. But that doesn’t include Netflix. Read more »
This indie web series gives classic comic book characters like Iron Man, the Hulk and Wolverine a chance to sound off on topics like immigration, health care and the BP oil spill. It may not be a summer blockbuster, but it’s a whole lot more funny. Read more »
Chad, Matt and Rob aren’t just three guys named Chad, Matt and Rob; they’re three guys who’ve been making web content since 2007, and were among the first to experiment with interactive narratives. Today, they discuss misconceptions about web content and their secrets to interactivity. Read more »
Modern love commentary site YourTango is following up on the viral hit Facebook Manners and You with a new retro-themed series, featuring the same cast, on dating and reationships. But is a Facebook-exclusive distribution approach really the best way to spread a web series? Read more »
Today, the BBC announced plans to create a global version of its iPlayer application for iPads, which may be available first in the U.S. on a subscription basis. For British television fans outside the UK tracking their favorite shows, this is very good news indeed. Read more »
At 2:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. PST, NASA is announcing “an astrobiology finding that will impact the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life,” and if you want to watch, all you have to do is hit NASA.gov (and update your Windows Media Player). Read more »
This holiday season, customer service start-up Zendesk is sponsoring a web series all about the importance of good customer service, written and directed by Scotty “Got an Office Job” Iseri. The first episode takes aim at one of web video’s most sacred cows. Read more »
Users watching YouTube Leanback spend 30 minutes watching video — twice as much as users of the traditional site — and it’s YouTube’s goal to make that difference even larger. Tonight comes a new initiative in that effort: Personalized channels created around specific topics, accessible through Leanback. Read more »
Today on the Internet: Web companies including Google and Yahoo team up to protest the Comcast-NBCU merger, Paramount announces a digital-only follow-up to the latest successful Jackass installment, and the BBC is determined to count every view, including online and VOD. Read more »
The Streamin’ Garage, an independent network of live-streamed pop culture commentary, is upgrading its operation to HD streaming video effective tomorrow. But the real excitement may come in 2011, as CEO Mike Rotman pushes closer to blurring the lines between web content and television. Read more »
When it comes to selling advertising on online video, two different approaches are becoming clear: longer and broader, or shorter and targeted. YouTube’s current strategy reflects the latter, but studies show audiences are ready for a higher ad load. Is one strategy superior to the other? Read more »
The series Oh, Inverted World represents exactly what I love about covering web original content. While not perfect, it’s a show that resists predictability and features the kind of unique voice that may struggle to find a foothold in mainstream entertainment, but thrives online. Read more »
The video Q&A site VYou, which launched in beta last month with an eclectic mix of celebrity users, hits right at the core of what drives social networking. And despite some flaws, the site has the potential to evolve into an interesting community of conversation. Read more »
Ad platform TidalTV has released a study comparing click-through and video completion rates on both 15-second and 30-second ads on streaming video. In terms of click-throughs, the results find that targeted ads perform better than untargeted ads — even when they’re longer. Read more »
Shannen Doherty and Brian Austin Green are just two of the stars brought together for Suite 7, a branded web series produced by CJP Digital and distributed by Lifetime to promote the value of “a good night’s sleep” for the Better Sleep Council. Read more »
This week, Rovi chief evangelist Richard Bullwinkle discusses the importance of recommendation engines for consumers, his frustration with the influence of big companies over the marketplace and whether or not the feud between apps and browsers in the connected TV space is for real. Read more »
If you’re reading this on Thanksgiving morning, then you probably already know what’s happening with your turkey this year. But if you’re slightly behind, or you just want to see what happens when the pyrotechnically-inclined experiment with deep fryers, this post is for you. Read more »
Ryan Higa, despite being top of the YouTube charts, has always wanted to transition to making films — and he may be getting his chance, thanks to the self-funded Agents of Secret Stuff. While the film was released today on YouTube, it’s potentially destined for more. Read more »
In episode 6 of our weekly series on dropping your cable subscription, Janko finally gets his hands on the Boxee Box, a reader gives Ryan the low-down on his cord-cutting solutions, and Liz plugs a web series introducing the internet to Ben Stiller’s parents. Read more »
Recent studies show that online viewers hit by a higher load of ads aren’t dropping off the way they might. In fact, they may be able to watch more ads on content — perhaps as many as those on television — especially if ad formats continue to evolve. Read more »
A new section of product placement site Tadcast will soon be available for musicians hoping to see their songs used by video producers — with musicians being charged per click or per view for the chance to expose their music to the YouTube masses. Read more »
They don’t measure online viewing or time-shifting, but Nielsens ratings have a lot of power over what does and doesn’t get seen on TV. However, there are several shows finding a balance between engaging with online audiences while still racking up big numbers with their overlords. Read more »
For this week, we’ve got someone comfortable on both sides of the camera. Actor/producer Stephanie Thorpe’s future projects include Night of the Zombie King and Asylum. Here, Thorpe discusses the lack of outreach about quality online content and the value of a good cat video. Read more »
Today on the Net: Jeff Zucker reveals what’s been keeping the Comcast-NBC deal from going through, TVGuide.com has measured over 10,000 daily check-ins from fans watching TV shows, and if you’ve ever wanted to spend seven minutes listening to Arnold Schwarzenegger scream, you’re in luck. Read more »
The live-streamed charity drive known as Desert Bus, during which members of the sketch comedy troupe Loading Ready Run torture themselves by playing the most boring video game ever, has earned over $233,677 over the last three years. But what’s new for Year 4? Read more »
Over the last few weeks, AOL’s video strategy has blasted off, with new shows from Next New Networks and Vuguru being added. The new focus comes from this month’s complete redesign of the AOL.com home page, which emphasizes visual media and a more topical focus. Read more »
One joke from President Obama, made two weeks ago during a press conference, has kicked off a national branded campaign led by a daily episodic web series, thanks to 7-Eleven and Happy Little Guillotine Films. Obama, however, holds the key to the show being a success. Read more »
Amazon Studios offers aspiring filmmakers more exposure by giving them a chance at prize money and the opportunity to see their projects made into “major feature films.” But with no name talent involved, what they really get is a chance to surrender their IP. Read more »
Here’s the thing about the Crackle original series Backwash, which launched this Monday: I’m not terribly impressed any more by a celebrity choosing to participate in web content. I am, however, impressed when ALL THE CELEBRITIES, EVER, choose to participate in web content. Read more »
Distributed directly to torrent sites, the fan-funded sci-fi series Pioneer One has won awards, contended with guilds and, so far, been viewed over two million times. With the second episode set to launch in December, the big question becomes: Is this model sustainable? Read more »
This week, we feature Eddie Codel, who, following a stint on the Ustream staff this year, is now a freelance videographer with an impressive resume and a livestreaming emphasis. Among other things, he dishes today about the technical hurdle preventing live-streaming from taking over the world. Read more »
A same-sex Dallas couple wanted to get legally married in front of their families. The state of Texas has a gay marriage ban in place. But they found a tech-savvy solution around the problem, thanks to Skype video chat and the rise of the “e-marriage.” Read more »
The Hulu Plus tornado is truly starting to descend upon the connected TV market, inhaling more and more devices — including now the Sony Dash. But does increasing the number of devices it’s available on make the subscription service a threat to the Netflix behemoth? Read more »
The IAWTV announced on Tuesday that they would not be continuing to partner with the Streamy Awards, a for-profit annual event owned by the principals of Tubefilter. Here, Tubefilter co-founder Drew Baldwin answered questions about the decision and where the Streamys are heading next. Read more »
More than 35 hours are uploaded to YouTube every minute, Google’s Hunter Walk announced at NewTeeVee Live today. But the conversation focused on YouTube’s increasing multi-platform approach to content distribution, with a focus moving, in Walk’s words, “from a device-centric world to a user-centered world.” Read more »
