Is YouTube Good for You?
Used to be my parents would reproach me for watching television. “Rots the brain, read more,” they would proclaim. “Let’s Make A Deal,” a TV show where people dressed up and acted like idiots for the privilege of guessing what was behind Curtain Number 3 was particularly off limits. My how things have changed.
Suddenly TV is hot. We can watch TV when we want (timeshifting) and where we want (placeshifting). With broadband and emergent technologies changing the rules of how we use computers, watching reruns and videos with poor production values has never been cooler, and dare I say acceptable. Pundits and trend watchers scrutinize, analyze and opine.
One only has to look at the star power of YouTube.com and the decision by Disney to post episodes of “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost” online to know something is up. Even Google has thrown its hat into the ring. This phenomenon is recent, but the verdict is still out on the lasting impact of Internet TV watching. Will it change TV as we know it? Is the current network broadcast model a thing of the past? Will the computer and TV finally become one?
I have heard that the average American consumes more than 4 hours a day of programming --preferably on a big screen TV. The average computer screen is considerably smaller. So which is better (for you) -- watching old episodes of the "Brady Bunch" online or on TV? If content is user generated, does it make it richer?
Let me get back to you.
Working in marketing and coming back to YouTube, it's today's reality and if you are a Cluetrain Manifesto follower (I am), we better get used to it. It's the consumer age - they are in control and they are making their programs complete with competitive ratings. With 50 Million videos watched and 50,000 uploads per month, it wouldn't surprise me if the next recording artist, comedian or actor is chosen from the top rated - one thing is for sure - they'll come complete with experience of what works and what doesn't on camera - plus a considerable following! Match that Steven Spielberg. Budget: cost of internet connection most probably subsidised my parents - scary and exciting! (Comment this)