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Video: Network News Makes Move Online

Feb 11, 2009  •  Post A Comment

News networks are shifting resources to online video projects, and the results from some of them are promising, reports Daisy Whitney in this week’s episode of the New Media Minute. ABC News offers a 15-minute version of its evening newscast online and views are up fivefold from last year. Other networks are reaching for new viewers online, too. CBS News recently launched a 15-minute weekly Webcast hosted by Bob Schieffer called “Washington Unplugged.” The introduction of a Web-only show fronted by the TV news icon is a big indication that networks are eager to figure out the new business models of online video for news.

2 Comments

  1. Great commentary Daisy. Up until now, it’s really only been those of us in the entertainment & lifestyle space doing the most with online video. I think these developments will show that the web can translate just as well for evening news as it does for general entertainment.
    However, it will be interesting to see if online viewers accept the 15 minute segment length for news. 15 minutes is close enough to the 22 minutes of programming given on a conventional half-hour TV program (i.e. minus the commercials). Apart from shorter online attention spans there is also the comfort issue: in most cases the online video viewing experience is not as comfortable as sitting on the couch in the living room with a 52″ flat screen TV.
    I’m not sure if they should push the segment length past 10 minutes.

  2. But what happens when the convergence of TV and Online Entertainment is complete, what will happen with these 5 or 15 minute / mini “internet” shows? I personally rarely watch a short video (expect for Daisy’s and a few others), because by the time I remember to watch, load the web site, I really want more gratification than 5 minutes.

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