Monday, December 31, 2007

Joost to Be One of 2008's Top Stories

It's time to go out on a limb with predictions on what will happen in 2008 so that I can be shamed for my foolishness in a year. So here goes it:
 

• Joost will be one of the web darlings of next year. With it's content deals with Viacom, PBS, MLB and the NBA already in place, look for Joost to strike it rich
• Google will get serious about local advertising. Look for Google to dive in head first with TV ads and a platform for national and local advertisers to reach geographic audiences. By making local results an option on Google's generic search, Google will create an offering that can't be beaten.
• SpiralFrog will die. Enough said.
• TiVo will be acquired and fully embrace the web. The lure of matching online video ads with the big screens will prompt someone to overpay for TiVo.
• Facebook will be valued at a fraction of the $15 billion it was once considered to be worth. The revenue won't match the hype, and Facebook will acquiesce to be acquired.
• The writer's strike will end. This is an easy one, but it won't be until springtime when the studios will finally give in and share online revenue with the writers. The writers will give up some of the other issues after winning the big issue.

Posted By John Gartner at 09:45 AM
Permanent Link: Joost to Be One of 2008's Top Stories | Comments (2)

(2) Comments on Joost to Be One of 2008's Top Stories

Joost is a walled garden that is only good for a limited set of network content - Hulu will beat them at that game in 2008. The interesting sites to watch are the ones that are taking an open approach to content. For example, Veoh.com has content from CBS, Lionsgate, NCAA, etc. but also shows indie video productions and UGC -- this well-rounded selection of content is what will truly appeal to viewers and drive audience. Dailymotion and Blip.tv are also good examples of sites that are being open and aren't trying to hand-pick what their viewers should watch.

Comments by Brian Enfuego : Monday, December 31, 2007 at 03:07 PM

After one too many “unreasonable threats”, video site Veoh preemptively sued Universal Music last month in federal court, seeking a declaratory injunction to bar Universal from taking legal action. Now it seems Universal has finally made good on some of those threats. Universal is suing the startup for copyright infringement, using some strong language in an L.A. court hearing today. Universal said, “Veoh follows in the ignominious footsteps of other recent mass infringers such as Napster”. Adding, “Veoh’s rampant infringement will not stop until Veoh, and those who own, control, and run it, are enjoined and held financially responsible”.
The suit joins a heap of lawsuits UMG had launched against MySpace, Grouper (Crackle), and Bolt (since deadpooled).

Viacom and NBC aren’t content with suing YouTube and other video sites for copyright infringement - they are also trying to inject their opinions into other lawsuits that they are not otherwise involved in. Last week Viacom and NBC petitioned to file a document known as an Amicus Brief in a little known case between Veoh and an online porn site called IO Group. Amicus briefs are a way for people or entities not involved in a given case to let the court know what they think - they are usually filed by those who have some interest in the outcome of a case because it affects their business in some way. Courts often welcome them because they amount to free research and can be used to help them come to a decision.
Does this mean Veoh can soon add Viacom and NBC to the growing list of companies they are fighting in court? Probably. Veoh is fighting to keep the brief out of the court’s hands, but is also making it clear that they don’t want to end up with new litigation with Viacom and NBC.

Comments by FN : Monday, December 31, 2007 at 04:12 PM

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