Post Staff Writer

New York Post

October 27, 2009

TV viewing had been leveling off as people spent more time on the Internet and playing video games.

For years now, the topic of internet  overpowering television has been a constant debate. A recent report indicated children between the ages of 2-5 are spending 32.5 hours in front of the television, kids between 6-11 are watching slightly less, about 28 hours a week. The report indicates this is the highest ratings since 2003.

This comes as a surprise, because the internet has been known to distract the regular television view. The author argues that this is an indication that television is not dead yet.

But the latest figures show that we’re going back to watching TV for longer periods of time.

This comes as good news for advertisers, who are still using the conventional method of advertising through television. After all, children are the ones most affected by advertising.

Diane Francis

Financial Post

September 15, 2009

Rupert Murdoch of NewsCorp. waded into this situation by announcing a “new” old business model: By next year, he will be charging for access to all his websites and enforce copyright protections through the courts.

The internet has once again caused a dent for the television world, and Rupert Murdoch is not taking this sitting down. The media tycoon is fed up with the openness of the world wide web. In the openness system, everyday Joes and Janes can freely access ‘professional content’, that can later be repeated and used to their advantage.

The World Wide Web offers infinite opportunities, everyone is seen as a ‘writer, publisher, anchor, newspaper editor and network producer.’ Murdoch wants people to have more respect for the journalism industry, so its time people started paying for professional content.

Quality journalism is not cheap and an industry that gives away its content is simply cannibalizing its ability to produce good reporting

Murdoch seems to be convinced others will follow in his footsteps, which the author reaffirms. On a personal note, I think it would be difficult for Murdoch to be charging for media content at this point in the game. Internet users are not used to paying for news content, so this initiative might be hard to implement.

Reuters

Nov 12, 2009

David Lawsky

Clicker.com launched a TV Guide for Internet television on Thursday, designed to provide a new way to find everything from old Seinfeld episodes to cooking shows.

Chief Executive Jim Lanzone unveiled the newly reformed TV Guide for the online generation. The online version will encompass similar features the original TV Guide offers. Clicker.com, which has investments of $ 8 million, will allow online users to access the many available shows available through the internet.

But he said if Clicker.com is successful it can expect competition from major high tech firms like Microsoft Corp and Apple Inc and possibly from TV makers. And he believes the task Clicker.com faces is tough.

Clicker. com will announce shows available online, and so it promotes websites such as YouTube, Hulu, and Buddy TV just to name a few. The site offers users the ability to roam their favourite shows (new and old), provides a search engine, and encompasses social networking abilities.

Critics, like myself, worry that this new unveiling will further encourage individuals to stray away from watching television. On the other hand, others argue that Clicker.com is taking a right direction in preparing for Web TV, in other words integrating the worlds of television and the internet.

The end of free Hulu is near. News Corp., one of the the online video site’s owners, said yesterday that Hulu will start charging subscription fees as early as next year.

News Corp. and stakeholders such as NBC Universal, Walt Disney Co. and Providence Equity Partners are speaking out against online video sites. First up is Hulu, an online video site, is first on the docket.

News Corp, one of the owners behind Hulu, recently announced the website would begin charging subscription fees.  Networks are breathing a sigh of relief upon hearing of the subscription fees.

That’s a black-eye for the ad-supported model, which apparently wasn’t pleasing News Corp. or the other stakeholders, NBC Universal, Walt Disney Co. and Providence Equity Partners.

For several years, viewers would readily access Hulu to catch up on shows they had missed during the week. The subscription fees will obviously not appeal to viewers, and so Hulu will find itself short of visitors. Fortunately for these visitors, there are hundreds of other websites that offer similar services.

Tweens on Facebook, and Emoticon Overload

Jenna Wortham

Nov. 2, 2009

This article is centered around concerned parents that feel as though facebook, among other mediums is negatively influencing their children’s interactions, and potentially their personalities. The article argues that instead of banning the use of facebook, parents and society in general must come to grips with the fact that these types of social networks are here to stay and the most useful thing to do might be to help their kids embrace it and begin learning how to safely navigate these social networks and the Web. This article is significant because a majority of our society is connected on these social networks yet nobody is really teaching the young users how to properly use or make sense of them. In my opinion these sites should always be taught to be used only as a secondary medium for interacting with friends and family. Nothing beats face to face interaction.

A Call to Legislate Internet Privacy

Saul Hansell

Mar. 13, 2009

This article discusses the ongoing debate over internet privacy in congress. It talks about the importance of internet regulation in congress and how it has become a growing priority. Amongst their top priorities is the issue of passing a bill to regulate increased privacy for Internet users. The article states that internet users should be given the right to know what information is being collected about them as well as knowing how to reject having the information aimed at them in ads. This issue is significant as it shows that congress is taking the issue of internet privacy seriously, which could lead to less invasive ads online.

Louise Story

Oct. 31, 2009

This article discusses the opportunity for internet users to shield themselves from online marketing more effectively. The article discusses an increased opportunity for users to add themselves do-not-track lists. These lists will not block all ads from people’s computers however they will block those specific, target ads that have become prevelant. While AOL are promoting this change, they also want consumers to look at the advantage in receiving target ads that provide users with information that can benefit them. AOL executives say they are happy to give people a way to keep their Internet habits private, even though it would undercut AOL’s own behavioral targeting efforts.

This is significant becasue these types of enforements are enhancing the integrity of the internet by providing users with an increased sense of privacy by cutting down on the invasiveness of online marketing ads.

European Union Agrees on New Internet User Rights

Associated Press

Nov. 5th, 2009

This article discusses the European Union’s decision to change European Internet laws in an effort to curtail and crack down on downloading piracy. It is clear that there is not one law that has proven to be successful yet, however the article outlines some of the best options that are being considered by lawmakers.

With much unrest coming from the music and film industries, alot of European countries have pushed for tough measures against illegal downloaders. Some European Countries such as France have implemented a ”three strikes and you’re out” rule, by which Internet use is be tracked and users caught downloading would be warned twice before their Internet access would be cut off for a year. According to the article Great Britain is considering this law as well, as the illegal piracting of music and movies is reaching higher rates than ever before. The article states that the most realistic scenario for most european countries would be a 3 strikes rule in which the final decision is left up to a judge.

The article is significant because internet piracy is global and the lawmaking changes in the rest of the world can greatly influence the future of canadian piracy laws and the way we use the internet in years to come.

Clicker’s Guide to the Unlimited-Channel Universe

November 12, 2009

by Jon Healy

Among countless websites that host video content, a new one has emerged. It has been developing a following since the beginning of fall, inviting some for trials. Clicker launched the morning of November 12, 2009. 

The website claims to be unlike others, as it only offers full episodes, as well as, legal content only. Clicker’s CEO Jim Lanzone states that it is “the TV Guide for the next generation of television, whatever that evolves into.” Considering its structure and organization, I do not doubt its power and potential. It is extremely user-friendly; all one has to do is type the title of the series that they are looking to watch. The website then organizes the episodes firstly from most recently aired. It then shows links to related episodes. Take CSI for example; there are multiple versions of it, CSI Miami, CSI New York, etc. Therefore, Clicker, will show links to all types of CSI programs. If that is not enough, there are also links to other programs involving CSI content. 

Lanzone highly believes in respecting copyright laws: 

We want to be the de facto standard source of navigation and discovery for the next generation of television. I just don’t see how we could do that if we play with illegal content.

According to Jon Healy, author of the Los Angeles Times article, among many strong suits, Clicker is missing one factor. It does not allow for quick and easy access to the new online viewer. Unlike databases such as YouTube, Clicker does not offer a top ten episodes of the week box or a most recently viewed section. 

Clicker has another characteristic that is both advantageous, as well as, disadvantageous. The majority of its content is streamed on other websites. Meaning, once one clicks on the link to a specific episode, Clicker directs that individual away from its own website and to another of which the episode is being streamed. This is good as Clicker encourages viewing authorized videos, no matter where they are being streamed. However, this method is also disadvantageous as it limits Clicker’s ad sales. Consequently, revenue slips as ad sales are Clicker’s principle method in generating profit. 

Other strategies to gain profit are available, such as asking users to pay for service, however Lanzone is not sold on the idea. However other ideas are being fabricated, such as the realization of the Boxee. An apparatus allowing Clicker viewers to access online content in comfort of their home as they watch programs on their television screen. The Boxee would also be great for the mobile generation, as the viewer would be able to watch ESPN Classics on their smartphone riding public transit.

In my opinion, Clicker is a fantastic new service. As online television is becoming increasingly popular, Clicker allows the mobile generation to access online legal content they would normally view illegally. One word—bravo.

Could this finally be the season for Web TV

October 12, 2009

By David Lieberman

Big TV manufacturers including Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Vizio  say that they’re poised to revolutionize television this Christmas shopping season: They’re about to launch the first major marketing push for a new generation of sets that can easily integrate Web content with traditional TV news and entertainment — without the fuss of connecting the TV to a set-top box.

Major television manufacturing companies like Sony, Samsung, and LG are pushing hard to release Web TV just in time for the Christmas season. The concept of Web TV has been long coming, with phenomenon such as YouTube and Hulu threatening the industry.  These companies are eagerly anticipating the launch of the device.

Web TV is the first major marketing push for a new generation of sets that can easily integrate Web content with traditional TV news and entertainment — without the fuss of connecting the TV to a set-top box.

However, not everyone is optimistic about the induction of Web TV. Some critics feel the public is not prepared for the transformation in such short notice. Questions concerning the level of control consumers will have access to, software developments for the device, and attracting software firms are some of the challenges some critiques have identified. Pricing policies are also proving to be challenging for the manufacturers, the companies involved are not consistent with their selling prices; prices range from $1000 to $2200.

This is a difficult call to make. As the article alludes, media organizations such as AOL (with AOL TV) have attempted to implement technologies that converge internet and television. They were met with failure. Although this society is quickly moving to adopt online ventures, television is still a medium that has significance. We must also not forget the role of the CRTC, which will probably implement policies aimed at reducing viewership control of the device. With much to consider, I really doubt these manufacturing companies will be prepared to launch Web TV successfully, at least not in time for Christmas 2009.