Happy Friday!
This week summer has arrived in Dublin, and we even have proof! Make sure to check out this picturesque webcam from the Baily Lighthouse in Howth.
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Top Pick
Why would you watch someone play a video game?
In this article, the first on our new design blog The Fourth Wall, we look at the 3 ingredients behind the rise of esports and video game streaming. If you've ever found yourself wondering what all the fuss was about, this is for you.
So why would you watch someone play a video game? It’s actually quite easy to understand if you follow one simple trick — reframe the question. Instead of asking “Why would you want to watch someone play video games?”, ask yourself this: “Why would you watch someone play any sport at all?” Now you have a new perspective.
Features
Amazon buys exclusive UK rights to US Open tennis tournament
Amazon announced that it has bought the exclusive UK rights to the US Open tennis tournament. In a deal reported to be valued at $40m, it is great timing for the company who now have 100 million Prime members. Considering Prime members spend roughly double annually on Amazon purchases, than non-Prime members.
“We are proud to add the US Open to the growing portfolio of sports available on Prime Video. This makes Prime Video a destination for tennis fans.”
Netflix, which boasts 125 m subscribers may be regretting its recent statement to not go for live sports. If Amazon plays its cards right, it could make an even greater return on its investment. Imagine watching the US Open and being able to buy tennis-related merchandise whilst watching the live tournament - all in one viewing experience?
Like how this sounds? We can help make this happen, just reach out to us here .
Future of TV
As TV Viewing habits change, local broadcasters turn to Live Streaming
"OTT is not going to be OTT as we presently know it five years from now. It’s just going to be television."
Joe Fiveash, SVP of Digital Media and Strategy, Raycom which owns and operates 65 TV stations in 44 markets in 20 states, believes change is coming to the world of television. It looks like it's coming from the ground up as local broadcasters from around the US look for new ways to grow.
This grassroots movement has been motivated by everything from the search for a larger audience to moving away from the status quo.
Live at NAB Show: The keys to building a successful OTT video service
A panel at the NAB Show this month discussed the crucial ingredients for building a successful over-the-top video service. This article recounts the highlights of that talk. It's full of great insights and real world examples of decisions taken to satisfy user needs and maintain interest in OTT services.
...those ingredients are creating the correct content strategy, market approach, quality video delivery, and compatibility with every major device. Creating a positive viewer experience and effectively using data to not only gauge viewership, but also find and keep new OTT subscribers.
How Discovery gets people to average 75 minutes with its TV apps
Discovery's success is down to solid design principles—focusing on user needs and removing friction. The article is well worth a read, and here are some of the solutions Discovery have rolled out:
- A vast content library and exclusive digital content
- Letting people watch whatever they want, whenever they want
- Removing as much signup/login friction as possible by using single sign-on for multiple apps
“We have a live, linear feed in the apps, but let’s say something is on at 9 p.m., and [the user] chooses to tune in a few minutes after it started. This way, they’re able to start [the new episode] from the beginning” — Michael Bishara, SVP and GM of OTT and digital syndication at Discovery
Interactive Media
YouTube CEO addresses demonetization, ignores frustrated small creators
Recent changes to the YouTube Partners Program have been extremely unpopular with creators. Complaints that a classification bot has been demonetizing videos on upload have been rumbling since last year and this week YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki moved to quell the grumblings.
"In an ideal world, we’ll eventually get to a state where creators across the platform are able to accurately represent what’s in their videos so that their insights, combined with those of our algorithmic classifiers and human reviewers, will make the monetization process much smoother with fewer false positive demonetizations."
Virtual Reality
Discovery VR, Oculus veterans launch new AR/VR studio Tomorrow Never Knows
Four industry leaders in mixed reality have joined forces with the launch of Tomorrow Never Knows. They formed the studio to blend their backgrounds in emerging technologies and strong storytelling. They're also thinking seriously about monetizing and growing the VR/AR industry—one which there's a lot of "irrational pessimism" about.
“The thesis behind the company is to consistently violate the limits of storytelling, forcing the creation of new tools, methodologies and workflow and to do this intentionally so we create original creative and technology IP.”
Fred, an eerily lifelike android, visited a pub to promote WestWorld
WestWorld season 2 is almost here. To promote the release Fred visited a pub in London to help promote the show only for things to get a little creepy!
That is all from the Rerun team at Axonista, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for more news on the future of TV and interactive video.