New Top NBC Exec Didn't Get The Memo On YouTube's Usefulness
from the how-quickly-things-change dept
What a difference one executive makes. Over the last year or so, we've noted that Disney has become much more reasonable when it comes to new business models and embracing the internet under Robert Iger (though, he pissed off most of the rest of Hollywood in doing so). Unfortunately, it looks like NBC might be moving in the opposite direction. While the company had just been discussing how useful online videos were and appeared to be embracing the promotional benefits of YouTube, the new top executive at NBC Universal, Jeff Zucker, apparently didn't get the memo, and attacked YouTube in the press his very first day on the job. Of course, Zucker isn't really "new," having been at NBC in leading executive roles for many, many years -- it's just that he's moved up a notch. So, it's a bit strange that the rest of the company he runs seems to have been pulling in the opposite direction...
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Hello Brian.
I'm opening a boutique.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Hello Brian.
I'm opening a boutique.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
i think the shareholders need to speak up and let them know what they think.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
not surprised
It could also be some sort of two pronged approach. The head talks about the evils, while the tail benefits from those evils. In the meantime nothing is done and they head can claim to be friends with those who believe the evils should be stopped. Why do you think that large corporations give to both sides of a political race? Either way the race goes, they win.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No wonder
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Does not get It
The tighter you control your content the less likely anybody wants your content. Loosen up and get a clue. It was a video clip from the show (SNL) shared on the interenet (primarily YouTube) that has renewed some interest in the show. Maybe this can work for other content as well.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Business Opportunity: People want to watch your shows online...not REEE!!! REEE!!! REEE!!! SECURITY BREACH @ YOUTUBE.COM!!!
isn't it obvious what the solution is???
YouTube: Give the networks there own page on the site and link all their protected material through there. The Networks can get advertising kickbacks for hits on there page. Hell, they don't even need to put ads in the video if they can have six different ads running next to it simultaneously. Let the networks sell episodes directly from the site, or from their own external site. Either way, you guys can work out the details.
Networks: Just like any other business, loses happen. Every retail store deals with shoplifting everyday. You are no exception, piracy is going to happen no matter what you do. It is very easy to find almost any recent episode of almost any show on the internet. Give the people what they want, and make some money on the side.
Remember, you're in the entertainment industry. Learn a lesson from the mistakes of the **AAs. Entertainment needs to be fun, it shouldn't feel like you're doing your taxes when you're just trying to take your mind off the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
So, just my $0.02, I know it's simplistic, but sometimes that's the best solution...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
I remember when the Lazy Sunday sketch (or whatever the hell it was called) got popular. I went to look for it on YouTube but NBC had had it taken down. I went to NBC's site (where they proudly crowed that you could see their clips legitimately instead of illegally) and spent far more time digging through their pages to find the clip than it took to watch it. And by the time I found it, I couldn't give a damn how funny it was supposed to be because I spent too much time looking for it. If Zucker and NBC want to be obstinate, let them. They can lose potential viewers to their tired old shows and be the has-been network.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]