The Winding Road of Web TV Success

While the Comcast Cap aftershock still lingers on the internets, enthusiasm for Web TV continues to grow. Hulu announced today its Fall Premiere lineup guide. The intriguing aspect of this news is that several series debuts and season premieres will appear on the site a week prior to their network broadcast air date and many of the other shows will appear the day after. This is not the first time a show has debuted online, however this is a first for any of the big four broadcast networks and is unprecedented when considering the increased buzz and ratings boost it could provide shows like Knight Rider and Lipstick Jungle.

Hulu is not the only one making Web TV waves. as Warner Brothers announced last week the launch of TheWB.com. At its inception the main content will feature programs that appeared on the former WB network, but will also include non-WB shows like Friends and The OC. Want something new, yet slightly familiar? September 8 is the debut of Sorority Fever, the first of several new shows exclusive to the site, and stars Web series veteran Jessica Rose, better known as lonelygirl15. TheWB.com also includes an impressive video search and social features that allow users to legally modify and embed clips as well as share through Facebook.

There is great hope and expectations for Web TV as more and more high quality content and corporate investment head online, but both Fast Company and the New York Times have recently come out with cautionary tales of the struggles facing new Web series. This Fall and the early part of 2009 could be the tipping point for Web TV and Web series. There is a lot riding on the success of the Web series from TheWB.com and NBC’s Gemini Division.

In questionably related online tech TV news, CNet has officially rolled out its new site design that includes CNet TV, which is an impressive example of a traditional web based news entity integrating video to enhance its overall offering. Buzz Out Loud even included my commentary on the new design in episode 796.

Apple vs Microsoft…not so clear cut

My work has recently provided me the chance to live in a Mac world…exclusively. I was excited about the opportunity because I have heard for years the greatness that is OSX and how Macs are significantly more secure (security by obscurity?) and provide a flawless computing experience. I jumped headlong into the Mac ocean…eh-em…pond I mean.

Understandably, I have been a daily Mac user for exactly four days. I may need a full month of usage to compile a fair revue, but I find my user experience lacking. Many have told me that moving around in the Mac environment is very intuitive and simple. I agree, but perhaps its too simple. I am very knowledgeable of Windows and its inner workings and thus far have found the OSX coming up short. There is a great post I happened on to today at Gizmodo that mirrors my thoughts and mild frustrations. As the post suggests, perhaps I am just too smart for Macs.

Probably my greatest complaint would be the functionality of programs beyond the browser. Lets get serious, trying to use Microsoft Office on a Mac is obnoxious compared to Windows. When I am working in Word, I want it to be the only thing in my screen and the text should be simple to read. Yes, I have learned the magic of the little green button, but it takes significantly more work to operate Office on a Mac. Simple…not so much. Also, one mouse button is great until you want to copy a link. Now I have to hit Control and the Mouse simultaneously. In Windows land I can copy thousands of links and paste them into a document without ever utilizing the keyboard. Trite? Perhaps, but this is not simpler.

My roommate has a solution for my MS Office woes. Its called Parallels. This virtualization software allows you to run OSX and XP at the same time (unlike Boot Camp). With Parallels, I can get flawless browsing and media experience, while creating documents in its native world. For this reason, I may still consider getting a Mac for home computing, but surely this option is not simpler. Additionally…No Microsoft Money for OSX and a Quicken program that is embarrassing. How do the Mac faithful budget?

Lastly, there was a recent mention on Buzz Out Loud about the Mac vs PC commercials and how Microsoft has yet to respond. The mention points to a great conversation on its message board about how this impacts the business of both companies. I however was surprised that there was zero mention of Microsoft’s plans to respond as laid out in the June 2008 issue of Fast Company. You can hear my response and their candor on episode 753. I think this makes me legit. I am officially a content provider for CNet.