Comments on: On Digital Media, Episode #34 http://www.odmcast.com/podcast/2007/05/10/on-digital-media-episode-34/ _Shift Happens. Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:40:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Sherif Tariq http://www.odmcast.com/podcast/2007/05/10/on-digital-media-episode-34/#comment-6902 Sherif Tariq Thu, 24 May 2007 03:39:44 +0000 http://www.odmcast.com/podcast/2007/05/10/on-digital-media-episode-34/#comment-6902 As to "where have all the viewers gone?", I doubt illegal downloading is the reason for the large drop in TV viewing. Instead, I think it's a combination of the following factors (among others): - The launch of 2 major consoles (the PS3 and Wii) - A handful of blockbuster hits on the 360 (Gears of War, Crackdown) - Tons of downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace - Several MMOs on the PC (World of Warcraft now has 8 *million* players), including Guild Wars, City of Heroes/Villians, Everquest, etc.) - a plethora of downloadable TV content on the iTunes store - Apple TV - NetFlix, Blockbuster, and other DVD sales or rentals - YouTube, GameTrailers.com, and other online video sites - And last but not least, ABC, NBC and others showing their TV content on their websites Combine all that with the crappy TV viewing experience, what with large, ugly, distracting station IDs in one corner, huge ads that block a 3rd of the content along the bottom, and TV schedules that are erratic at best (Lost, Heroes and BSG were off-the-air mid season for 8 weeks, other popular shows pulled the same stunt), and is it any wonder that a lot of people are tired of TV and going elsewhere for their entertainment? And I don't think you're the exception in not having a TV. Even with the allure of HDTV, even with falling prices falling, I think a lot of people are simply going to not bother, and continue the exodus away from TV on a schedule, and towards more space- and time-shifted content delivery methods like NetFlix, the iTunes store, or towards more original content via YouTube and other online video providers. I do feel bad for the content producers, as the networks were the easiest way to get their content in front of a large audience, but hopefully with the growth of Jaman and Joost, and with more dark fiber being lit, and better compression standards, more of them will be able to profit from taking their content directly to the users/audience, and cutting out the middle man completely. By the way, love your show (duh :-). Keep on producing, and we'll keep on listening. As to “where have all the viewers gone?”, I doubt illegal downloading is the reason for the large drop in TV viewing. Instead, I think it’s a combination of the following factors (among others):
- The launch of 2 major consoles (the PS3 and Wii)
- A handful of blockbuster hits on the 360 (Gears of War, Crackdown)
- Tons of downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace
- Several MMOs on the PC (World of Warcraft now has 8 *million* players), including Guild Wars, City of Heroes/Villians, Everquest, etc.)
- a plethora of downloadable TV content on the iTunes store
- Apple TV
- NetFlix, Blockbuster, and other DVD sales or rentals
- YouTube, GameTrailers.com, and other online video sites
- And last but not least, ABC, NBC and others showing their TV content on their websites

Combine all that with the crappy TV viewing experience, what with large, ugly, distracting station IDs in one corner, huge ads that block a 3rd of the content along the bottom, and TV schedules that are erratic at best (Lost, Heroes and BSG were off-the-air mid season for 8 weeks, other popular shows pulled the same stunt), and is it any wonder that a lot of people are tired of TV and going elsewhere for their entertainment?

And I don’t think you’re the exception in not having a TV. Even with the allure of HDTV, even with falling prices falling, I think a lot of people are simply going to not bother, and continue the exodus away from TV on a schedule, and towards more space- and time-shifted content delivery methods like NetFlix, the iTunes store, or towards more original content via YouTube and other online video providers.

I do feel bad for the content producers, as the networks were the easiest way to get their content in front of a large audience, but hopefully with the growth of Jaman and Joost, and with more dark fiber being lit, and better compression standards, more of them will be able to profit from taking their content directly to the users/audience, and cutting out the middle man completely.

By the way, love your show (duh :-). Keep on producing, and we’ll keep on listening.

]]> By: John Spencer http://www.odmcast.com/podcast/2007/05/10/on-digital-media-episode-34/#comment-6896 John Spencer Wed, 23 May 2007 18:12:26 +0000 http://www.odmcast.com/podcast/2007/05/10/on-digital-media-episode-34/#comment-6896 People are not leaving they are just going elsewhere and their metrics (Neilson) cannot cover it. Basically, millions are downloading it off BitTorrent in HDTV AC3 audio. Look at the stats here if you have access: http://www.divinitymetrics.com People are not leaving they are just going elsewhere and their metrics (Neilson) cannot cover it. Basically, millions are downloading it off BitTorrent in HDTV AC3 audio.

Look at the stats here if you have access:
http://www.divinitymetrics.com

]]> By: Jose Moreno http://www.odmcast.com/podcast/2007/05/10/on-digital-media-episode-34/#comment-6857 Jose Moreno Thu, 17 May 2007 16:49:08 +0000 http://www.odmcast.com/podcast/2007/05/10/on-digital-media-episode-34/#comment-6857 Hi John I've just heard your #34 podcast. No need to thank for the original Joost invitation. I'm glad you've enjoyed it. Just one correction though: contrary to what you said "on air", I'm not from Brasil; I am from Portugal. But don't worry, it's a common mistake. Keep up the good work. Regards Jose Moreno Hi John

I’ve just heard your #34 podcast. No need to thank for the original Joost invitation. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it. Just one correction though: contrary to what you said “on air”, I’m not from Brasil; I am from Portugal. But don’t worry, it’s a common mistake.

Keep up the good work.

Regards
Jose Moreno

]]> By: Jose Moreno http://www.odmcast.com/podcast/2007/05/10/on-digital-media-episode-34/#comment-6856 Jose Moreno Thu, 17 May 2007 16:26:19 +0000 http://www.odmcast.com/podcast/2007/05/10/on-digital-media-episode-34/#comment-6856 Hi John, I've just heard your #34 podcast. No need to thank the original Joost invitation: you're wellcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Just one correction though: I'm not from Brazil; I'm from Portugal. Don't worry, it's a common mistake. Keep up the good work! Regards Jose Moreno Lisbon, PORTUGAL! Hi John,

I’ve just heard your #34 podcast. No need to thank the original Joost invitation: you’re wellcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Just one correction though: I’m not from Brazil; I’m from Portugal. Don’t worry, it’s a common mistake.

Keep up the good work!

Regards
Jose Moreno
Lisbon, PORTUGAL!

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