Posts Tagged ‘HBOlabs’
Happy Birthday Hulu
Hulu has change our dreary lives forever. Hulu has most recently been voted into the top 10 websites for this year. It is changing the way that we consume content, but more important where we consume it. No longer are you locked into watching your television or attempting to strain through torrents to find the poor grade of quality. Besides that now you are no longer being a deviant and watching pirate content. Anywho…..Hulu has changed alot. Mostly for the better, some of it could be better though.
Positives
1. First Mover
Hulu is the new cool kid at the party. Not that nerdy one that just moved into the neighborhood. Nearly a year after its dubious launch everyone is attempting to do business with them. It is estimate that by the middle of next year they will have matched Youtubes advertising. This is very impressive due to the fact that Hulu does not have 98% of its content considered a loss.
2. Embeddable
Naturally, there have been several other contenders in this arena, but Hulu is the first that has been able to do it with some class. Sure Youtube, but thats about as ugly as you can get. Also the variety of content that you are LEGALLY allowed to embed is purdy nifty. Which brings us to….
3. Broad Content
Hulu never ceases to amaze me with its broad array of content both old and new. I can’t explain the sheer joy of being able to watch “He-Man” on Hulu, as well as the latest episode of “Prison Break.” Interestingly enough networks are eager to place their content here, and other directories are beginning to shape up under this
4. Simplistic
It might as well be copied by ____ . Other corporations are slowly getting the idea. ABC causes users to utilize their premium player. Joost most recently discontinued their download P2P software in favor of promoting their .com home.
Negatives
1. Fix Awkward Update
Hulu has the habit of releasing content either far ahead of schedule, or a day after. “Hooking Up” (HBOlabs) experimented by releasing to specific locations (colleges) earlier then other destinations. The next most plausible step is to release them the day of, regardless of time slot. It would be in hte networks/hulus best interst due to the fact they control more rights and revenues online, and would further speed the public’s interest in consuming professional content online. A golden example would be the Olympics. Reports placed nearly half its viewing audiences consumed the events online. What more of a incentive or proof of concept do you need?
2. Add Independent Webseries
Currently, Hulu has made available a select few independent webseries. Since the somewhat recent success of “The Guild,” and “Dr. Horrible,” you would imagine they would eager to find and expose other undiscovered talents. However there is only one member deciphering through these content with no discernible criterion for accepting webseries into their almighty directory.
3. Create Content
Hulu is poised to be the first directory to cross over into creating content. Typically it has been content creators such as ABC, and CBS to create thier own destinations. Without Hulu establishing an additional incentive for this glorified directory will lose its prominence. Content has been/will be king, so why not partner with some growing studios?
Webseries Kiss of Death
The recent surge of webseries popularity, and the overall improvement of quality has made webseries the new kid on the block. Formerly technologies, directories, and applications stood within the limelight, but thanks to programs like “The Guild” (Felicia Day) “Hooking Up” ( ) There is a immense interest in getting your webseries sold or better yet licensed.
I suppose I should have named this entry “Webseries Negotiations Kiss of Death Comments,” but the title was far too long, and not nearly as snazzy as I would have hoped. I have included several phrases which spell death for any webseries creator to utter.
1. How much money do you think I can get for it?
You just made it embarrassingly well know that you don’t know the value of your market, let alone of your product. If you don’t understand its value why should your audience appreciate and therefore I pay you for it?
2. If the money is there I can make many more!
Obviously. This goes without saying, that if someone paid you to do, what you love, you would do it. ALOT. If a fat kid was paid to eat candy he would make the effort. Catch the drift?
3. “We aren’t looking to sell it, just see where it goes.”
Essentially you just disclosed that the project is a lose leader with no vision or exit strategy, and very few companies are looking to acquire lose leaders. One exception that I am aware of HBOlabs. Woody has stipulated from the very beginning that it is a testbed. Excellent. However in the real world no vision + no direction = No money.
4. “I really don’t know.”
In this case ignorance is not bliss. Admitting that you don’t know is alright, but please follow up with what you are doing to remedy this. The unknown is incalculable, and irritating. We want to feel secure in working with you, no innundated with factors which may lead to our demise.
5. “I…I…I….”
Believe it or not its NOT all about you. I would like to work with you to see what you can do for ME. Definitely let me know what you do, but never fail to bring it full circle to let them know EXACTLY how they can benefit from your relationship. Remember I have the money, connection, distirbution, etc. and you have to convince me that you are trying to get ahead, but that you have my best intentions at heart.
Ownership : There are few things to consider when negotiating. Either you can own alot of nothing, or some of alot.
Revenue Model? Is it Pay Per Minute? Revenue Shares?