6 February 2015 World According to some statistics, people now upload to YouTube 100 hours of content every minute and YouTube viewers watch six billion hours every month. In addition, 80 percent of YouTube viewers are from outside the U.S. U.S. TV Nets Over-the-Top American TV networks are now addressing the need to tap into the U.S.’s 10 million broadbandonly homes without upsetting their profitable cable/satellite delivery models. CBS, Sony Pictures and HBO were the first to announce OTT plans, prompting the entire industry to address the integration of online video delivery with traditional linear programming. Showtime and ESPN are expected to announce their over-the-top services soon, while Viacom’s TV networks are using Sony’s PlayStation OTT platform. By moving to OTT delivery, HBO also hopes to reach some of the 80 million U.S. TV homes that don’t subscribe to HBO. Currently, HBO offers HBO Go to U.S. cable/satellite subscribers, but in some parts of Europe, it is offered without a cable/satellite subscription. And Verizon chairman/ CEO Lowell McAdam has been quoted as saying, “Over-thetop video is right around the corner.” Studios’ Sales Gain Big Late last year, a twopage article in the Wall Street Journal covered the L.A. Screenings’ financial contribution to the U.S. studios. According to theWSJfigures, at 41 percent, international rights represent the largest form of income for the studios, followed by U.S. broadcast licensing at 34 percent. The balance of revenues comes from the syndication (U.S.) market (17 percent) and SVoD rights (eight percent). Studios also monetize their program catalog by re-issuing older series to cable and, recently, to digital broadcast networks’ extra channels. Social Media Takes Culture Below Ground Until recently, television was blamed for all the world’s ills: bad manners, violence, ignorance, corrupt politicians, fanaticism ... while today, YouTube and other similar streaming media are praised for bringing these ills to the hills. In an article describing the types of shows that are all the rage among young viewers, Newsweekquoted one of the popular stars as saying: “I’m all about being ugly on screen and burping in front of the cameras — doing things people can relate to.” The magazine explained, “These people have a strong connection with their audience, that just isn’t possible if you’re starring in a Hollywood film.” Among the more celebrated shows are those that teach girls to apply makeup while drunk, video titles like The Douchebag Workout and comedies such as Viagra Overdose andHot Alien Girl Spits on Me. (Continued from Page 4)
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