I am really loving the whole internet and online video evolution we are seeing. I think it sortof started with podcast, then people realized they can do the same with video so now there are tons of online video shows for you to watch. The internet is a really good place for video if you have the connection speeds to take advantage of what there is to offer. The traditional television stations see it also. Many of today’s TV programs can be found online. Most of the major networks have their own websites where you can watch shows. or you can go somewhere like iTunes, Amazon Unboxed and Hulu.com to either purchase or watch free streaming full length TV shows.

Of coarse we all would like to watch our favorite TV shows online, but the internet is its own entity. On the internet, the TV networks are guest, there are already Internet based video and media networks that started online and are the owners of the space. The problem, the way it seems…

TV networks will eventually snatch that ownership away from the people who today are the pioneers of online video entertainment.

Why do I say that. Well its really our own fault. "our" meaning people who consider themselves "internet people". When you look at who online is doing it big with online video a few places come to mind. Of coarse Revision 3, Podshow, Cnet and a few others. Each having some pretty popular shows.

First lets take a look at the advantages of having an online show. Before that, Id like to mention that when I say online show, I’m not talking about the clips you see at sites such as Youtube or Break.com. Well, creating an online show takes a lot less money. You can get by with lesser cost in camera and lighting, you are pretty much in control of the content. Although bandwidth cost money, you can publish and distribute the show yourselves, sometimes for free. Those advantages make creating an online show accessible to a lot of people (which is why there is so many out there).

Now lets look at the problems with online shows, and the reason why I think Traditional television may eventually take over the space.

1. The Talent (or lack there of)

Most online shows are about a specific topic or niche, and the people hosting are usually people that are really knowledgeable on the topic. but you have to remember, every geek is not an actor. There are a lot of personalities out there, which is good for the types of shows we have been seeing. But to go beyond what we have been seeing, it has to go beyond personality and subject knowledge. This makes more sense after you read the next step.

2. Every show is the same

This is the biggest holdback I see. When you go check out all of the shows, they are basically the same thing over and over, with different subject focuses. I mentioned it before as having a "The screen savers" style show over and over again. 1-4 people sitting in front of a camera talking about thier favorite subject, interviewing people, holding up a product.  The only differences in these shows are the subject, the personality, and how well the video is edited on a Mac. I hate to pic on Revision 3 because I love their shows and think they are the best at what they do right now, but check out their shows

  • Diggnation - 2 guys sitting on a couch talking about top news stories
  • The Giga Om show - a guy and a girl sitting on a couch talking about  the tech industry with the occasional interview
  • System - 1 or 2 guys in various locations talking about fixing, building, hacking various tech items or equipment.
  • Tekzilla - 1 or 2 people sitting at a table evening news style, talking about tech with the occasional on location spot or interview
  • Pixel perfect - a guy talking about photoshop and photo editing techniques.

See what I mean?  Internet Video has to one day go beyond that format and start having a little variety. How about a comedy, a drama. Imagine creating a show with an ongoing story that people couldn’t wait to watch every week?  If we keep making the same shows over and over, like how it is going now,we will undoubtedly hand over the potential "internet Tv as an alternative" to the traditional tv networks. Why couldn’t a Revision 3 rival ABC on the same level? The question we want people to be asking is this.

Should I watch "Lost"on ABC or "Crossed" on Revision 3? ("crossed" being a completely fictitious name, but Kevin feel free to use it if you want, just mention me).

But the question we may end up with is this..

Should I watch "Lost" on TV or online?