The Future of TV Starts Now. Wait, Now. No...Now.

Alright, so ABC just upgraded their iptv, making their picture even better, and allowing for full screen. NBC and FOX are teaming up to recreate YouTube's success with professional material by building ClownCo. Video sites are popping up left and right, and even the big boys keep on growing. Google's looking to become a juggernaut past online media by facilitating an SEM-like marketplace in television, too. And, with the Dish Network deal, that fantasy is looking pretty fuckin' realistic. Joost just released the fantastic version 0.9, complete with Viacom content and higher quality picture. Apple, Inc unleashed their trojan horse to kill off Netflix and Blockbuster with the AppleTV. XBox and its media center are selling like hotcakes.

All this is happening, and more. And quick. It's astounding to watch. This isn't merely a shift in the way we consume media. It's flipping television, and in turn advertising, completely on it's head.

And, in a couple years, it will be unrecognizable in today's terms. Today's video experience will be like reruns of Diff'rent Strokes are now. Cute and quaint, but mostly unwatchable. I have a sneaking suspicion that whatever it is that brings it all together and makes it mainstream isn't here, yet.

And, no, it won't be Joost. It's whatever makes Joost work with YouTube, Revver, ClownCo, ABC, and everything else, easily searchable, on my big screen, without skipping. Tivo, it's your turn. Make it or die.

Comments

[Cam Beck]

When you get a chance, check out the Ad Age video podcast, "Chaos in the Marketing Industry"

[Ryan]

It will be Joost, at least as far as design. It will be decentralized in order to feed the exponential growth that will come with mainstream adoption. I think ABC and others will jump onboard to catch more viewers and minimize Data Center expenses. When IPTV goes mainstream ABC's tiny little DC will crack under the pressure. You can't serve everyone from a single/few locations, it's a bottleneck. It will need to be P2P and it will need to be as Web 2.0 as Joost is. Google is the only competitor worth watching.

[Andrew]

Yep - agree with Cam above. Joost could be it, if they add the ability to do user submissions to the pool down the road and get mass adoption.

[Lewis Green]

Paul,

Man, it makes my head spin. Gotta have a beer.

[Paul McEnany]

Cam- Just about to check it out. I read the article, though. It was fantastic.

Ryan- I don't know, man. We'll see if it works as an aggregator, also. I think that's where google has a major advantage. I'm loving me some joost, either way.

Andrew- I've actually been saying the same thing. They should try to control the content a bit, but put up as few barriers as possible to the average joe creating there own shows and making money from them. There are plenty of Ze Frank's out there waiting to be discovered.

Lewis- Me too!