Web TV

YouTube is working on a Partner Playbook, chock full of tips to help their partners build their audiences, optimize discovery and maximize views.  At a YouTube Partner MeetUp in New York on June 16, 2011, Ryan Nugent from the YouTube Next Up Lab presented a draft of the Playbook.  This is part two in a [...]

Join Baratunde Thurston (left), The Onion’s Director of Digital and author of How to Be Black, for an entertaining look at creative social media campaigns in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. Other speakers include Morin Oluwole (Facebook), Tim Devane (bitly), and SocialTimes' writer Devon Glenn.   Register now.

Last June, a mysterious but heavily produced video surfaced on YouTube, capturing the attention of masses of gamers and action movie fans. It was eight minutes of heaven for admirers of the renowned video game franchise Mortal Kombat, as it seemed to be a preview of a rejuvenated story that failed to translate to cinemas years ago. While it was later learned that this was not part of a secret movie, fans have gotten something that may be far more entertaining.

When outgoing NBCU chief Jeff Zucker was asked about the controversial moves his, and other networks have made the last few years of putting TV programming on the Web, therefore potentially hurting the syndication market, Zucker joked, “Can we go back to the Keith Olbermann question?”

Speaking before a roomful of program buyers, sellers and producers at the annual NATPE gathering in Miami Beach, Zucker stood up for NBCU’s partnership in video platform Hulu. “I’m incredibly proud of what Hulu has done,” said Zucker. (With Comcast gaining majority control of NBCU this Friday, the company’s management stake in Hulu will go away.)

As for the Olbermann joke, Zucker was referencing the first question he’d gotten during the Q&A about the MSNBC host’s abrupt departure from the network Friday night — a question he could not comment on.

“Online is still a better experience for us than the DVR. We can control the ad inventory and the ad load,” said Zucker. “The consumer has made it clear that they want to enjoy it this way. If we don’t listen to the consumer, piracy will take over as we saw happen in the music industry.”

Zucker also reiterated his support of the TV Everywhere concept, a favorite of Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes. And he predicted mobile will be the go-to place for growth in program viewing the near term.

• Related: SportsNewser – How Important is the NFL to NBC? “I shudder to think about NBC without it.”

First on WebNewser: In a significant expansion of its original digital offerings, Syfy has picked up a new, 10-part science fiction web series, “The Mercury Men.”

“It is a modern web series that hearkens back to ‘Flash Gordon’ and ‘Buck Rogers,’” Craig Engler, senior VP of Syfy Digital tells WebNewser. “It is black and white, there is a ray-gun, there is a brain in a jar, you don’t see brains in jars anymore!”

The web series does not have a premiere date yet, as the network is currently looking at which of its television properties it wants to launch it with. By tying the launch of a web series to a TV event like a season premiere or finale, Syfy can market the program to millions of already-engaged viewers.

Syfy just successfully launched a new series, “Being Human,” to 3.8 million viewers on its premiere night, so the season finale of that show could be a possibility. The network also has the season premieres of “Warehouse 13″ and Eureka” on tap for later this year.

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By now you know that former CNN anchor Rick Sanchez has resurfaced on Twitter, and you may have seen yesterday that his “friends” have launched a new web site defending him, according to Business Insider. The site’s creators say that “Friends of Rick Sanchez” is a website devoted to set the record straight on who Sanchez really is — despite what he said on the radio.

But WebNewser stumbled upon Sanchez’s actual new home on the web, RickSanchezTV.com, which was registered on October 20, 2010 — 20 days after Sanchez was fired from CNN.

Right now the site is pretty bare bones, with “Schedule” and “Contact Info” tabs that are not yet functional, as well as a direct link to Sanchez’s Twitter feed, which he has since renamed @RickSanchezTV.

The schedule may not be active yet on his site, but we know of at least one thing Sanchez has on tap in 2011:

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ScoreCenter, an app from ESPN that delivers scores and statistics to Web-enabled television sets from Samsung, is now available via the consumer-electronics manufacturer’s app store, AdAge.com reported.

The app can be scrolled across the top of the screen, the bottom, or the side, according to AdAge.com, which added that it may be made available to advertisers for custom sponsorships.

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Bravo rolled out a browser-based tool for fans of its series who use Twitter, @BravoTV, and the cable network worked in collaboration with Twitter executives on the project, paidContent reported.

@BravoTV features talk bubble icons that vary in size and color depending on how active Twitter conversation is about that show or trending topic, according to paidContent, and fans can choose a separate environment for each Bravo series.

The dashboard also features Tweet Battle, in which users take sides on opposite ends of Twitter debates, and Just Saying, customized hashtags to prompt conversation.

Bravo Media senior vice president of digital Lisa Hsia told paidContent, “In the history of how social media has incorporated advertising, it’s usually just a banner and button situation. We wanted to get advertising more integrated.”

Revision3 is taking a shot at television, making its online video content available via platforms including Google TV, Yahoo! Connected TV, Windows Media Center, AppleTV, Boxee, and Roku, either by using those various platforms’ applications or by browsing to a TV-optimized Web site.

Shows such as Tekzilla, AppJudgment, Dan 3.0, Diggnation, Destructoid, and Film Riot are searchable via name, category, featured content, and most recent episodes, and viewers can manually search for episodes or view new content.

CEO Jim Louderback said:

We are thrilled to be able to provide users with the ability to view their favorite Revision3 shows on the best screen in the house. As online video continues to take viewing time away from traditional TV, we want to make sure that our programs look great anywhere they’re viewed, and across every screen — from the smallest one on a phone to the biggest one at home.

Late last night Conan O’Brien‘s official website, TeamCoco.com, announced that full epwiode of the nightly TBS comedy show “Conan” would be available online the day after they air on the cable channel.

While the decision is not totally surprising, it was still unclear whether the full episodes would be available, rather than just clips. Cable networks like TBS tend to be extremely protective of their content, though other cable talk shows, like “The Daily Show,” have been able to put full shows up the next day without seriously affecting TV ratings.

Regardless, the members of Team Coco can rejoice, their orange-haired leader will be avgailable to all, and you don’t even need cable to see him.

If you can’t wait until Monday to get your Coco fix, check out O’Brien’s first appearance on TBS on “Lopez Tonight”:

Qlipso, which acquired the assets of Internet-television outfit Veoh in April, is creating live channels for FilmBuff and The Genesis Files, a Web series from the directors of Hot Tub Time Machine and L.A. Dicks.

The Qlipso platform provides themed rooms with social tools and game mechanics.

The FilmBuff channel will host two live question-and-answer sessions: One with director Jeff Deutchman, about his documentary on the election of President Barack Obama, Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET; and the second with actor/director Ed Burns on his upcoming film, Nice Guy Johnny, Nov. 18 at 9 p.m.

The Genesis Files will debut as a live event, including a Q&A with the directors and series star Angie Ruiz.