Time spent watching online video is predicted to expand more than 20% over the next 2 years. The time spent watching online video has been growing at an average rate of 32% a year between 2013 and 2018. The amount of time watching these videos online has continiously increased due to the improvements in the media devices that displays them. Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase, “The medium is the massage ” meaning that the channel that the message is transmitted is more important than the content/message. The power of computers increase every 2 years according to Moore’s Law, so the devices to indulge in media will continue to get better.

The content creators like Netflix, Hulu, Premium cable channel’s, put a lot of money and time into original content designed to keep you hooked. In the ending season of Game of Thrones, HBO spent upwards to $15 million in each episode. I’d assume that if a company is willing to put that much money into one episode they are pretty confident that they will make that money back and then some. It is going to be interesting to see who is at the top of the streaming charts in about 5-10 years. Netflix has been the king for the past couple of years, and has created serious buzz with their original content. However, a lot of their subscribers use the service for network TV shows like The Office, Friends, Breaking Bad, Marvel shows and movies. If those networks, and companies were to take their content back like Marvel started to, will Netflix still be at the top of the list. Media giants like Apple, and Disney are coming out with their own streaming service in the near future so it will be interesting to see how things shake up.

Netflix Snags ‘Seinfeld’ Starting In 2021

On September 17, 2019September 18, 2019 By Alexa SouthardIn Netflix, Streaming, Uncategorized1 Comment

With the recent expansion of streaming services available, competition for content is at an all time high. NBCU and Apple Streaming are just two of the many streaming services challenging Netflix, and threatening the content available to subscribers. One of the more recent headlines, as explored in a MediaPost.com article, is the acquisition of the legendary series Seinfeld. Netflix is losing two of their most popular series, Friends and The Office to alternate services, so they secured Seinfeld for an approximate $500 million dollar 5 year deal starting in 2021. The sitcom was previously available on Hulu, and is expected to compensate for the losses, despite Netflix’s overall subscriber rate slowing.

A recent survey also reports 45% of Netflix users would reconsider their subscriptions if alternate sources pull their favorite content from the renowned watching application. In the same breath, 45% of people associate Netflix with the streaming brand, showing its dominance in the scene. In the future, it will be interesting to see how other brands develop, and reclaim their content, and the affects that has on the original streaming services.

This article struck my interest because streaming media content has become a regular part of my daily routine, and the scene is currently changing. The Office is among my favorite shows of all time, and it is upsetting to me it will no longer be available on Netflix. The expansion of streaming services is inconvenient as a consumer, because if I want to be able to access specific shows, I will have to consider paying for yet another subscription. Netflix Original movies are entertaining, but the series can not compare to the iconic staples that have been available on the platform. I, among other users, would consider cancelling the subscriptions if too many of the quality series are removed. If another platform presents itself to be superior, I would definitely consider paying for that instead. I am also curious as to what Apple’s content will consist of on their new streaming platform, and how successful it will be.

The scene for television and movie consumption has certainly changed in the last decade, and continues to adapt and provide the consumers with more options. It will be interesting to see the future potential for these companies.

https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/340785/netflix-snags-seinfeld-starting-in-2021.html

Tool on Top

On September 10, 2019 By William StroughIn Spotify, Streaming, TechnologyLeave a comment

Tool’s “Fear Inoculum” debuted at No. 1 with the equivalent of 270,000 sales in the United States.

In today’s music environment, the charts are topped with the same music year after year. A mix of pop music from Taylor Swift or a new album from Rhianna, the formula stays the same for the most part but that changed with the release of Tool’s new album “Fear Inoculum”. The first album in 13 years from the rock and roll band has seen them over take the number one spot from Taylor Swift’s album “Lover”.

Tool’s new album also marked a new venture for the band. After years of not using streaming services or any other kind of digital platform, moved to digital means.By releasing their entire discography online at the same time as their new album has created a media spectacle that the billboard can not look away from. “Fear Inoculum” came in after just one week with 270,000 sales in the US with 88,000 of them being super deluxe editions that include a small 4 inch HD display that shows never before seen footage of the band. A new exciting twist on the already incredibly popular deluxe edition sales. The album saw 160,000 downloads and 27.6 million streams of their songs. Although these numbers are not as big as pop or hip hop streaming numbers they are a huge increase in the rock and roll market. This increase in streams shows that rock and roll can still bring it, even in 2019.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/09/arts/music/tool-fear-inoculum-billboard-chart.html

Google borrows dating app feature to recommend personalized movies and shows

On September 9, 2019 By Patrick CabahugIn StreamingLeave a comment

https://www.techspot.com/news/81785-google-borrows-dating-app-feature-recommend-personalized-movies.html

https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/05/google-search-what-to-watch/

Google decides to use a dating app feature to simplify finding streaming video content of your favorite shows. “Like Tinder, users can swipe left or right to indicate their dislike or like for something. The process will train Google’s algorithms, bringing up more personalized recommendations the next time you ask it to recommend a show or movie.” as stated in the article.

Once you pick a recommendation, Google will give all services that provide that show such as how much you rent or buy the program or watch for free from your subscription. Another cool feature of the app will show movies and shows matching them with a term such as horror. You can even search specific genre, documentaries and so on. It also uses Google trends on what type of shows, movies, and documentaries that people are searching online. A useful tool So far, the feature is innovative and not sure if Tinder would get credited for having their feature being used by Google for their streaming content. I do think it is an awesome feature and probably use it.

The image above shows the services that pricing for each provider in regards to This is Us. The providers range from Google’s Youtube services to Vudu. It gives the consumer a watch option such free, placed on a watch list as well as buying and renting.

According to Engadget, Google has a simple solution to those nights when you just don’t know what to watch: borrow a cue from dating apps. The internet giant has introduced a search feature on mobile that invokes a swipe interface when you search for terms like “what to watch” or “good shows to watch” and tap a start button in the Top Picks For You carousel. You can swipe right to show your approval for a show, or left if you can’t stand it — the more shows you flick through, the better your recommendations become.

You can specify movie genres, periods or even specific activities, such as “horror movies from the ’80s” if you’re in a Nightmare on Elm Street mood. And when you do find something to watch, info cards will display all the services that host a given show. You can specify the ones you use to ensure that recommendations focus on titles that won’t cost extra. This won’t guarantee that you’ll settle on a new must-watch series, but it’ll at least save you from being overwhelmed with choice.

Overall it is a step in the right direction since it simplifies streaming content to ease of use content. It has yet to be seen whether this app will catch on to the mass media and consumer content or it will flop. Success will be determine by those who use it. My only question is regarding the service is Netflix was not added to their search results.

Streaming Services and Physical Media Sales are Working Wonders

On September 8, 2019 By aalesanIn StreamingLeave a comment

The music industry has been receiving more revenue by constant streamings through apps like Apple Music and Spotify. To be exact, streaming makes up about 80 percent of the industries revenue.

Applications that allow people to stream music are making a revenue of $4.3 billion (Steele, A. 2019). Which is where most of the revenue is contributing from. More and more people are becoming premium members of Spotify or Apple Music and streaming the catchiest songs ranging from Drake, Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande and so much more.

Music streaming apps are not the only factors contributing to increased revenue for the music industry. Gen Z and Millenials are taking it back to the 90s with trends of vinyl and CDs. CDs made a revenue of around $485 million in about six months and vinyls adding in about $224 million, according to The Verge’s article result (Alexander, J. 2019). I think that these numbers are exciting to see. It shows how popular trends become and how they can make a major difference in specific industries. There is also an art to listening to music through a record player or a CD player, it makes it seem more “aesthetic” as the kids now say. It allows the listener to appreciate and really feel the music. I believe this is important and the numbers will continue to grow because of how influential music can be!

Source:

https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20852568/streaming-revenue-growth-spotify-apple-music-industry-ariana-grande-drake-taylor-swift

https://www.wsj.com/articles/music-revenue-surges-on-streaming-subscription-growth-11567708974

Netflix Premier’s New Travis Scott Documentary

On September 4, 2019September 18, 2019 By Alexa SouthardIn Music, NetflixLeave a comment

One of Netflix’s latest original documentaries zeroes in on rapper and performer Travis Scott. It is a perspective look on his recent accomplishments, his roots, and his lifestyle. The release of Astroworld, which is the artists’ latest and Grammy nominated album, was the turning point in his career, and the documentary revolves around its’ creation and legacy. His high energy and talent is another highlight in the film, and it is shown through his enthusiasm while recording and performing. The most shocking part to me was the intensity of the shows they portrayed in the documentary, and the fact he was charged with inciting a riot at one of them. Interviews with fans showed their passion for the artist, as well as the extreme conditions of the concerts which sometimes induce injury from mosh pits.

Parts of the documentary also delve into Scott’s personal life, including his upbringing in his hometown of Missouri City, Texas, and his role as a father in the present day. Travis, who’s real name is Jacques, and nickname from family members is “Jack”, has shown exceptional musical talent from the time he was a young child. The documentary shows his father’s role and influence in Scott’s early and present life, and is the reason he was involved in music at such a young age. He played the drums, and enjoyed rapping. Fastfowarding many years later, Scott is shown during his humble beginnings as an artist, pulling a crowd of only about 15 people. The support of his family has always played a role in his motivation, as his dad proudly watched him perform at the 2019 Super Bowl. Scott himself is portrayed as a very attentive father, as toddler daughter Stormi accompanies her father on tours, and is seen playing and interacting with her father.

The film shows his highs, like the birth of his first child, his legendary performances, and fame, and his lows, including not winning a Grammy, and his arrest. Scott believes his calling is to be an inspiration for the youth that listens to his music, and he has many talking points about never giving up, and focusing on the future. His involvement with other artists in his Cactus Jack label is integral, and he includes the Houston talent in the documentary. Astroworld and Scott’s influence has even inspired the mayor of Houston to restore an amusement park in the city in his honor, and he has even coined his own holiday in his hometown. The film has interesting visual components, including the production of graphics in the intro, and the opening interview being filmed on a rollercoaster ride. All in all, the documentary is an interesting and inspiring form of media that emphasizes the modern life, accomplishments, and music career of Travis Scott, one of today’s hottest performers in the media and music sectors.The article practically summarizes all of the highlights of the film. Both interested me because I enjoy his music, and am interested in having a career in the music industry.

https://www.complex.com/music/2019/08/travis-scott-netflix-documentary-look-mom-i-can-fly-takeaways

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Category: Streaming

Time Spent Watching Online Video Expanding To 100 Minutes Daily