Wednesday, February 4, 2009
YouTube
A couple random thoughts:
The big TV networks have been losing advertising dollars since the advent of cable channels. And when cable increased their channels to over 1000 to pick from, advertisers were forced to create more targeted marketing.
With the advent of the internet there are more ways to reach target markets than ever before. The interesting thing about YouTube is that it’s a search engine of sorts and so if an advertiser wanted to reach people that are interested in golf only, they can.
However, viewers will always find a way to ignore advertising if they are not interested. It used to be that people would mute the commercials. Now people TIVO right through them. With the internet, viewers tend to ignore banner ads if they aren’t interested. Soon, people will find a way to also bypass the pre-commercials on the internet as well.
The unique thing about the internet is that many of the sites were not started as money-makers. But people unfortunately will always try to capitalize on the genius of others. It’s a viscious cycle that will never end. First it was radio, then television, now the internet. And the internet is still so new still there is no telling where this consumption and greed will go.
From an entertainment level, the television tycoons used to have all the control. Now that control is spread through the masses. We as viewers used to be handed what would be popular. Now we’re making those decisions on our own. It’s a beautiful thing.
All this makes me think, did video really kill the radio star?!??!
The big TV networks have been losing advertising dollars since the advent of cable channels. And when cable increased their channels to over 1000 to pick from, advertisers were forced to create more targeted marketing.
With the advent of the internet there are more ways to reach target markets than ever before. The interesting thing about YouTube is that it’s a search engine of sorts and so if an advertiser wanted to reach people that are interested in golf only, they can.
However, viewers will always find a way to ignore advertising if they are not interested. It used to be that people would mute the commercials. Now people TIVO right through them. With the internet, viewers tend to ignore banner ads if they aren’t interested. Soon, people will find a way to also bypass the pre-commercials on the internet as well.
The unique thing about the internet is that many of the sites were not started as money-makers. But people unfortunately will always try to capitalize on the genius of others. It’s a viscious cycle that will never end. First it was radio, then television, now the internet. And the internet is still so new still there is no telling where this consumption and greed will go.
From an entertainment level, the television tycoons used to have all the control. Now that control is spread through the masses. We as viewers used to be handed what would be popular. Now we’re making those decisions on our own. It’s a beautiful thing.
All this makes me think, did video really kill the radio star?!??!
YouTube vs. Boob Tube
YouTube certainly holds an incredible appeal to millions of viewers. Videos can be posted by anyone on any number of subjects, handing over the creative reigns from network television to we, the audience. If a person has a fantastic idea for a television program but has no way of getting it on air, they can create it themselves and post it online for the world to watch and comment on. It's no wonder that businesses like Google want to get in on the excitement (and profits). With over 65,000 videos being uploaded each day, YouTube is flourishing. Unlike regular television, there are no commercials, and the clips are relatively short. This is instant entertainment, and in a fast-paced society that is only increasing in speed, this kind of short, instantaneous amusement is only going to gain popularity.
Reading 3
YouTube offers a form of entertainment that isn’t available on TV. Since anyone can post, we have access to entertainment that probably would never be aired on TV, but is still interesting enough that people want to watch and discuss it. One thing advertisers need to work on is making their commercials way more entertaining, and they should actually take a cue from the most popular videos on YouTube. People are stressed these days, and I think the appeal of YouTube is that it can provide silly, lighthearted entertainment within a short clip. I am not surprised that the most popular Super Bowl commercial this year was the Doritos ad in which a man hurls a crystal ball into another man’s groin. It’s so ridiculous, but people enjoy a quick laugh, and something like that has the potential to be circulated via email getting more exposure. If I have to watch a commercial before a web video, I don’t mind something like that, but if it’s not good, I’ll close out of the video or check my email while it plays, because with the technology available now I shouldn’t have to suffer through a bad commercial.
The you tube is a virtual universe overflowing with streams of life in all forms. Information, ideas, humor, stupidity, cells combining, dividing, expanding, what will it evolve into? It's a new organism unlike any we've seen in the hands of the masses. An instrument of creativity. A political tool, a form of entertainment, a toy for the voyeur and the exhibitionist, a hunting ground for predators, a vehicle for twisted minds. It's the great equalizer where anyone can have their 15 minutes of fame. It's existence is like being able to pass notes in social studies class, to relieve the boredom and anxiety. Laughing behind the back of the one in charge of all the idiocy. Reclaiming one's thoughts and individuality. I can't help feeling like the teacher is aware and is about to confiscate the notes. There will be consequences. Somehow I can't imagine the comparative freedom that now exists lasting forever. As soon as someone sees there is profit to be made, the process of control will begin. Someone else's rules will apply. How it will change I cannot predict. I'd say most people have had enough of the advertiser's greed motivated manipulation. But it is a like a cancer that keeps coming back. Wherever there is new life, it seeks to devour it.
response 3
I remember being in junior high school and taking a trip to the Museum of Television and Radio. There, we basically had access to any television program ever produced. My friends and I thought this was the coolest museum ever! We were totally in control and had thousands and thousands of television shows, mini-series, and TV movies at our fingertips. Fifteen years later, YouTube is king. Within seconds, from the comfort and privacy of your own home, you can access anything at any time, free of charge.
YouTube affects our lives on a daily basis, in terms of how regularly and to what extent we interact with the internet. The site is also shaping our culture as a whole. People want to watch what their friends, family, co-workers and neighbors are watching, enjoying and taking about. And they want to be able to see this material IMMEDIATELY. I think that this sense of immediacy is a big part of YouTube's appeal.
YouTube is great- it gives a voice to a population of individuals who now have the freedom and venue to showcase their art and express themselves. However, I can’t say that everything posted on YouTube qualifies as art. And that’s okay too. While I go to YouTube on a fairly regular basis, I couldn’t help but laugh at Garfield’s comment: “Third millennium humanity has demonstrated an interest in sifting through millions of pieces of crap produced by total strangers to discover a few gems”. That kind of sums it up.
YouTube affects our lives on a daily basis, in terms of how regularly and to what extent we interact with the internet. The site is also shaping our culture as a whole. People want to watch what their friends, family, co-workers and neighbors are watching, enjoying and taking about. And they want to be able to see this material IMMEDIATELY. I think that this sense of immediacy is a big part of YouTube's appeal.
YouTube is great- it gives a voice to a population of individuals who now have the freedom and venue to showcase their art and express themselves. However, I can’t say that everything posted on YouTube qualifies as art. And that’s okay too. While I go to YouTube on a fairly regular basis, I couldn’t help but laugh at Garfield’s comment: “Third millennium humanity has demonstrated an interest in sifting through millions of pieces of crap produced by total strangers to discover a few gems”. That kind of sums it up.
You Tube by Rachel Stepaniuk
I am not shocked by the obsession with You Tube. There are all kinds of people that are drawn to the opportunity to post something that they created, star in, or even both. I am close to someone who checks out You Tube quite often and knows all the good videos. I myself never browse on You Tube – I just can’t get into it. Although there have been a few creative things I’ve been shown. Actually, now that I think of it, I made a video with friends and we actually ended up posting it on You Tube. Ha! It was not my idea. With the reality TV craze, its no wonder that people love posting and watching on You Tube. Everyone wants his or her 15 minutes.
As far as advertising – it’s interesting. I have not thought about what will be invented to bridge the gap between dwindling TV and the rise of the Internet as far as advertising is concerned. All I know is it worries me.
As far as advertising – it’s interesting. I have not thought about what will be invented to bridge the gap between dwindling TV and the rise of the Internet as far as advertising is concerned. All I know is it worries me.
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