British TV networks the BBC, ITV and
Channel 4 will launch a new joint online
TV on-demand service that will provide
a one-stop shop of content from all channels.
The new service, as yet unnamed will be launched in 2008 and will include free downloads, streaming, show rental and purchase via the internet, with possible future expansion onto other platforms. Shows available will include locally produced content and possibly US and other non-British content as well. Like existing online offerings from the networks it is presumed that the service will be available to residents of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland only.
The BBC has had ongoing problems with its iPlayer service which faced delays and budgets blowouts, then came under attack for being available to Windows users only.
The significance of the service has been described by the BBC as “historic”.
Ultimately the biggest winner from the deal will be the British viewer who will have unparalleled access to legal TV content online in the one spot. Here’s hoping that the idea might be taken up in other countries.
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
The European Union may crack down
on targeted advertising following concern into the personal privacy aspects of such programs.
The Article 29 working party has an ongoing investigation into privacy online, and has previously forced Google to limit its data retention of web searches in Europe to 18 months.
According to a Reuters report, Gabriele Loewnau, a senior legal adviser for the German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection said that targeted advertising was a “hot topic” that will be part of the work program for the EU next year.
Targeted advertising is this regard is different to regular contextual advertising in that it is not simply advertising that displays in context to the web site, but advertising that is displayed based on user habits, including browser habits and online purchases. Facebook’s new advertising program delivers ads based on user interests and those of their friends, potentially meaning that they may also be a target of any future EU crack down.
on targeted advertising following concern into the personal privacy aspects of such programs.
The Article 29 working party has an ongoing investigation into privacy online, and has previously forced Google to limit its data retention of web searches in Europe to 18 months.
According to a Reuters report, Gabriele Loewnau, a senior legal adviser for the German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection said that targeted advertising was a “hot topic” that will be part of the work program for the EU next year.
Targeted advertising is this regard is different to regular contextual advertising in that it is not simply advertising that displays in context to the web site, but advertising that is displayed based on user habits, including browser habits and online purchases. Facebook’s new advertising program delivers ads based on user interests and those of their friends, potentially meaning that they may also be a target of any future EU crack down.
Earthbound to bin bound.
Google has announced two new features
for Google Maps that mimic features in
Google Earth, begging the question: is
Google Earth on borrowed time?
The first new feature is the additional of terrain in Google Maps. The terrain fly over feature has long been available in Google Earth, but now you can fly over a map and see the contours of the land, all without the need to download Google Earth.
The second new feature mimics the community contribution feature of Google Earth. “Our Maps” brings wiki-style collaboration to Google Maps, with users able to annotate places and share those notes with friends or the greater public.
Google acquired Keyhole in October 2004 and it was immediately obvious as to why: Google wanted the satellite imagery to support their move into serious mapping.
Keyhole provided Google Earth, a downloadable program that gave a then unprecedented view of the earth through the use of satellite imagery, but Google isn’t a software company, Picasa and a few small efforts aside. Google has integrated many of the functions from Keyhole into Google Maps whilst continuing to sustain Google Earth, but for how much longer? As Google Maps takes on more and more of the functionality of Google Earth the appeal of Earth must diminish.
It also makes sense that Google would rather grow and sustain a web product over a software download. Google Earth will still be with us for some time to come, but how long is now up to Google, and I’m betting that Google is already looking at ending support sometime in the next year or two as Google Maps becomes everything Google Earth now is, but online and without the download.
for Google Maps that mimic features in
Google Earth, begging the question: is
Google Earth on borrowed time?
The first new feature is the additional of terrain in Google Maps. The terrain fly over feature has long been available in Google Earth, but now you can fly over a map and see the contours of the land, all without the need to download Google Earth.
The second new feature mimics the community contribution feature of Google Earth. “Our Maps” brings wiki-style collaboration to Google Maps, with users able to annotate places and share those notes with friends or the greater public.
Google acquired Keyhole in October 2004 and it was immediately obvious as to why: Google wanted the satellite imagery to support their move into serious mapping.
Keyhole provided Google Earth, a downloadable program that gave a then unprecedented view of the earth through the use of satellite imagery, but Google isn’t a software company, Picasa and a few small efforts aside. Google has integrated many of the functions from Keyhole into Google Maps whilst continuing to sustain Google Earth, but for how much longer? As Google Maps takes on more and more of the functionality of Google Earth the appeal of Earth must diminish.
It also makes sense that Google would rather grow and sustain a web product over a software download. Google Earth will still be with us for some time to come, but how long is now up to Google, and I’m betting that Google is already looking at ending support sometime in the next year or two as Google Maps becomes everything Google Earth now is, but online and without the download.
KateModern
KateModern, the online drama from Bebo, is
aiming to blur on and offline boundaries by encouraging users to attend a series of live filming of the show across London next week.
From Monday, viewers will be given a daily video clue as part of the daily show suggesting the location of that day's filming.
Bebo launched KateModern in July to offer its users an interactive show made up of shortform content.
Bebo has also announced plans to develop another interactive show called The Gap Year, which will follow six Bebo users on a trip around the world.
aiming to blur on and offline boundaries by encouraging users to attend a series of live filming of the show across London next week.
From Monday, viewers will be given a daily video clue as part of the daily show suggesting the location of that day's filming.
Bebo launched KateModern in July to offer its users an interactive show made up of shortform content.
Bebo has also announced plans to develop another interactive show called The Gap Year, which will follow six Bebo users on a trip around the world.
Storytime…online
Online retailer Amazon has launched e-book reader Amazon Kindle in the US, which wirelessly downloads books, blogs, magazines and newspapers. Books can be downloaded to the hand-held device in less than a minute. The device costs $399 (£193), weighs 10.3 ounces and can hold 200 titles. Over 90,000 books are available in the Kindle Store as well as hundreds of newspapers, magazines and blogs.
Vizeum Digital Newsletter - October
Welcome to the October edition of the Vizeum digital newsletter where it’s all about social networking; the tools that are at the forefront of digital media, capability and expression. From a Facebook first, the possibilities of targeted advertising to MSN’s portals going green. This edition will illustrate the current trends in our digital environment.
Social Network Report
If hype was the only indicator of
marketshare in social networking,
Facebook would be the winner by a
mile, and yet for all the talk of
Facebook’s greatness, MySpace remains the most popular social networking destination.The social networking market so far has seen something that defies conventional economic thinking. Instead of users choosing one service or the other they often choose both. Until now.New figures released by HitWise show that in Australia at least, MySpace is now losing market share as the Facebook juggernaut continues. Traffic to MySpace in Australia has dropped 5% as Facebook has tripled its traffic in the 10 weeks to October 13, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.Some may suggest that the Facebook platform is providing a superior social networking offering that is driving a switch; this in part is valid however it ignores two other factors. First is the direction of MySpace: it’s hard to grow traffic when you’re already at the top, so traffic options are static or down. MySpace is adopting an open platform that will provide additional services for their members, but in the mean time not much new happening on MySpace; boredom with MySpace would naturally result in declining traffic.
The second factor is the amazing word of mouth Facebook currently has. The platform is irrelevant when anyone and everyone is talking Facebook at the moment, and not just within tech circles. I’ve had old school friends I haven’t seen in 20 years ping me on Facebook, and a majority of my friends list would now consist of non-tech related friends. Facebook comes up in conversations all the time when I’m talking to people outside of the tech community: it has become the next YouTube in terms of popular awareness.The switch stats are so far only applicable to Australia, but it wouldn’t be surprising if this is the start of a trend, particularly in English speaking countries. There is only so much the broader market can take in terms of multi-using social networking sites. As more people get onto Facebook it becomes more likely that people will use Facebook as their first, and perhaps only choice in online social networking.
marketshare in social networking,
Facebook would be the winner by a
mile, and yet for all the talk of
Facebook’s greatness, MySpace remains the most popular social networking destination.The social networking market so far has seen something that defies conventional economic thinking. Instead of users choosing one service or the other they often choose both. Until now.New figures released by HitWise show that in Australia at least, MySpace is now losing market share as the Facebook juggernaut continues. Traffic to MySpace in Australia has dropped 5% as Facebook has tripled its traffic in the 10 weeks to October 13, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.Some may suggest that the Facebook platform is providing a superior social networking offering that is driving a switch; this in part is valid however it ignores two other factors. First is the direction of MySpace: it’s hard to grow traffic when you’re already at the top, so traffic options are static or down. MySpace is adopting an open platform that will provide additional services for their members, but in the mean time not much new happening on MySpace; boredom with MySpace would naturally result in declining traffic.
The second factor is the amazing word of mouth Facebook currently has. The platform is irrelevant when anyone and everyone is talking Facebook at the moment, and not just within tech circles. I’ve had old school friends I haven’t seen in 20 years ping me on Facebook, and a majority of my friends list would now consist of non-tech related friends. Facebook comes up in conversations all the time when I’m talking to people outside of the tech community: it has become the next YouTube in terms of popular awareness.The switch stats are so far only applicable to Australia, but it wouldn’t be surprising if this is the start of a trend, particularly in English speaking countries. There is only so much the broader market can take in terms of multi-using social networking sites. As more people get onto Facebook it becomes more likely that people will use Facebook as their first, and perhaps only choice in online social networking.
Affiliate Marketing
Merchants and affiliates should work harder on developing affiliate marketing search arbitrage campaigns to make the most of a highly lucrative channel, according to Kristopher Jones, president and CEO of Pepperjam. Speaking at the inaugural a4u expo in London, Jones said that search affiliates, those running search campaigns for brands, represent 60% of all revenues through affiliate marketing, but that it could be more if clients and affiliates understood the working relationship better.
Jones said: "This represents an almost unlimited income potential for affiliates, with the top affiliates earning millions a year."
"Affiliate marketing search arbitrage represents a significant opportunity for both affiliates and merchants." Jones said that running direct linking campaigns, sending a consumer straight to the merchant's homepage, was an effective channel in the short-term, but warned that it could create conflict in a relationship between an affiliate and a merchant.
"Google, for example, only allows one ad per keyword per display URL," he said.
Jones also dismissed the influence of Google's fledgling PPA network.
"Google is three or four years away from being big with this, and by then the big networks will have reinvented themselves and will be able to cope."
Jones said: "This represents an almost unlimited income potential for affiliates, with the top affiliates earning millions a year."
"Affiliate marketing search arbitrage represents a significant opportunity for both affiliates and merchants." Jones said that running direct linking campaigns, sending a consumer straight to the merchant's homepage, was an effective channel in the short-term, but warned that it could create conflict in a relationship between an affiliate and a merchant.
"Google, for example, only allows one ad per keyword per display URL," he said.
Jones also dismissed the influence of Google's fledgling PPA network.
"Google is three or four years away from being big with this, and by then the big networks will have reinvented themselves and will be able to cope."
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