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Rumor: Google spending $150M to launch 25+ professional YouTube channels

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Re: Rumor: Google spending $150M to launch 25+ professional YouTube channels

#11

Post by InclinedPlane »

alexholehouse wrote: post #4
DevX101 wrote: post #2

This is a REAL potential game changer and I've been patiently waiting to see how long it would take before a major internet video streaming company made this move. The underlying reason for Netflix's current woes is because CONTENT producers are squeezing it to them and will be increasing their prices significantly in the next year. The reason Hulu wasn't acquired even though many companies considered it, was because…

It's up to traditional cable companies to embrace this disruptive technology we like to call "the internet" and find a way to build a better business model using it. This would inevitably undercut their own "traditional" models for content delivery, but as more and more people cut the chord because more options are available, their refusal to innovate simply means that other players are going to come in and take the…

I think it will be the extreme exception for them to embrace it. I'm not even sure if they are capable of doing so. So much of the way the cogs mesh together in the traditional tv business world is very much dependent on the technological limitations and specifics of broadcast television. They would have to change so very much to adapt. A lot of that change would have to be shrinking, which they will fight.

Re: Rumor: Google spending $150M to launch 25+ professional YouTube channels

#12

Post by rilkeanheart »

rokhayakebe wrote: post #8

As a fan of Thisweekin I would like to see how they respond to this move.

I'm also a fan and I expect (and hope) they are vying to be a part of it. I watch a significant proportion of my Theisweekin content straight from YouTube. Above all else, this announcement (even a the rumor stage) is a huge validation of the internet as a distribution channel for professionally produced original content. I believe Jason Calacanis bought off on that a while ago with the investment in ThisWeekIn.

Re: Rumor: Google spending $150M to launch 25+ professional YouTube channels

#13

Post by vaksel »

chrischen wrote: post #6

One of the differences between tv and Internet is that tv channels have an oligopoly on your attention. There's a small limited number of channels competing for attention across all tv viewers. YouTube has to compete not only against millions of Other things on the net bit also millions of other videos on YouTube itself. It'll be interesting to see if the tv model of taking large million dollar bets on unproven shows…

there is also attention lockin, once you start watching a show, there are a lot fewer distraction.

Re: Rumor: Google spending $150M to launch 25+ professional YouTube channels

#14

Post by patrickod »

I'm really interested to see what level of audience interaction these "professional" channels will use. TV is by its nature a one-way medium. YouTube allows for much greater feedback from your audience, and it's that sense of community coupled with content that has made hugely popular YouTube channels and celebs.

Will traditional, professional channels simply try to move the content online and not take advantage of the new features that they'll have access to ?

Re: Rumor: Google spending $150M to launch 25+ professional YouTube channels

#15

Post by jeffool »

positr0n wrote: post #3

From the comment section: "Welcome to the end of middle class jobs in the entertainment industry. These shows will be non-union with corporations using shell corporations to produce them for Google. Everyone (directors, writers, actors, and crew) will be paid pennies on the dollar. People who think the Entertainment Industry is full of fat cats don’t realize that show business is just like the rest the US economy rig…

All it takes is for some of them to be out of work and be willing to work for the offered amount. It's like Huffington Post firing everyone, getting people to write for free, and offering to let old writers interview for their old jobs at no pay.

Your product doesn't have to be good, just good enough. The viewers will follow, and soon a new standard is set for wages.

I'm reminded of video game programming, which has lower wages than other fields for programmers. Why? More people want to do it. They're willing to work for less. Now consider how many people want to be famous actors and directors.

Re: Rumor: Google spending $150M to launch 25+ professional YouTube channels

#16

Post by losvedir »

xd wrote: post #5

The very best of youtube for me as a wannabe, spareroom, hacker is the independent channels. You just can not beat them. For instance, the Geekgroup (great channel) which as far as I can make out is very well funded just doesn't hold a candle to the likes of Photonicinduction, bkraz333, Afrotechmods, jeriellsworth, UnknownLobster, et al when it comes to raw talent. If I was the head of this google project I'd get in…

Wow, thanks for listing all those interesting channels. I've been looking at some of them and they're great! One I'd add is called "Smarter Every Day" by a destinws2. He's an aeronautics engineer, I think, but mostly shoots guns with a high speed camera. He always includes interesting science, though, too.

Re: Rumor: Google spending $150M to launch 25+ professional YouTube channels

#19

Post by [deleted] »

InclinedPlane wrote: post #11
alexholehouse wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's up to traditional cable companies to embrace this disruptive technology we like to call "the internet" and find a way to build a better business model using it. This would inevitably undercut their own "traditional" models for content delivery, but as more and more people cut the chord because more options are available, their refusal to innovate simply means that other players are going to come in and take the…

I think it will be the extreme exception for them to embrace it. I'm not even sure if they are capable of doing so. So much of the way the cogs mesh together in the traditional tv business world is very much dependent on the technological limitations and specifics of broadcast television. They would have to change so very much to adapt. A lot of that change would have to be shrinking, which they will fight.

[deleted]

Re: Rumor: Google spending $150M to launch 25+ professional YouTube channels

#20

Post by vectorpush »

I think when more traditional celebrities inevitably begin to transition over to content targeted specifically at internet audiences, the revolution will begin. Google has the power to nurture raw talent, as well as attract artists who have already been vetted by traditional media into the new media sphere.
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