Happy Friday! Welcome to Issue 7 of Rerun, your weekly digest of digital storytelling, interactive media and the future of TV curated by Axonista.
This week there was a lot of thought and analysis around the future of the TV industry and the explosive start to 2015. From 'mobile first' to OTT services to new advertising models to the production of TV series themselves, it's suddenly apparent to everyone that things are changing very fast. As always we're on top of it and we've brought you the best reads.
We've also got a great read on Pixar's successful blend of creativity and technology, a blend that the TV industry should be examining quite closely. As well as virtual reality Saturday Night Live and Abbey Road Studios... what are you waiting for!?
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Top Pick
How Pixar solves problems from the inside out
Pixar are known as masters of storytelling, creativity and animation, but few would see them as a technology company. And yet that's what they are, in addition to their wonderful stories they constantly pioneer and create new technologies in their field. If the technology doesn't exist yet to tell a story in the way they want then they'll go and invent it. This is a great read for anyone interested in how creative drives technology and vice versa. Or anyone who's a Pixar fan!
Future of TV
The future of digital TV advertising in 5 charts
According to a report by The Diffusion Group, over the next three years we'll see video advertising revenue through OTT devices grow from $8.4 billion to $31.5 billion, and through traditional TV shrink from $59.9 billion to $47.5 billion. OTT video content is currently experiencing explosive growth and this is a great read on how the TV advertising industry will evolve alongside it.
The future of TV is now
"This is not a (r)evolution from the inside, an ascension of the next generation. It’s a complete reconceptualization of the entire industry from the ground up."
With so much change going on in the TV industry, how do you keep track of it all—aside from Rerun of course! BRaVe Ventures are here with an insightful and entertaining look at the state of the TV industry and where it's going.
Why the TV industry faces its 'ketchup' moment
"The young people will not come back to the TV screen"
Eric Scherer, Director of Future Media at French broadcaster"France Télévisions", gave a speech at the MIPFormats conference in Cannes last weekend where he emphasised the importance of mobile, social and data in the modern TV industry. This article provides a good summary of his speech and the need for a 'mobile-first' approach to TV.
Netflix just commissioned a massive nature documentary series for 2019
Netflix has commissioned an eight-part wildlife documentary produced by the creators of the BBC series "Planet Earth". It's scheduled for release in 2019 and will show never-before-filmed areas of Earth, all in glorious 4K resolution. We think if you don't have a 4K TV or device by 2019 then this is going to make you get one.
Virtual Reality
Now you can sit in the middle of ‘Saturday Night Live’ history
Earlier this year Saturday Night Live celebrated its 40th birthday in style with an anniversary bash. They also filmed it for virtual reality viewing, so you can sit in the middle of it all while Jerry Seinfeld gives his monologue and fields celebrity questions. It's a great look at what the future of TV could be like and it'll be available on Samsung VR, Oculus Rift and in the VRSE app on iPhone and Android.
Briefs
- We mentioned in the previous issue that HBO Now's first big test was the Game of Thrones premiere. Well they passed!
- But it wasn't all streaming success for HBO as they issued takedown notices to Periscope, after users were found livestreaming the GoT premiere.
- Traditional TV viewing is down by double digits as viewers get their video fix on other devices.
- Crackle's new app features 'always on' video. This is the new norm for video apps.
- Where do I know that actor from? Amazon bring their X-Ray feature to the TV, giving you all the movie info you need whenever you hit pause.
- Ferrari's new app lets you virtually dismantle your $300,000 sports car. No purchase required!
Inside Abbey Road
Google takes its Street View technology indoors and cranks it up to 11 with the amazing interactive experience "Inside Abbey Road". It's virtual tour of the famous London studio that allows users to move through the different recording rooms, examine the equipment and learn more about the artists who recorded there.
Happy Friday!