The future of online is not network TV Google warns

If you thought the future of the web was TV, you would be mistaken as Google issued a warning to companies that think they can broadcast distribute network TV shows and films globally.

The search engine giant warned that the internet should not be used for TV and that services like its own YouTube, which acquired it last year for $1.65bn, and newer arrivals such as Joost will bring the internet to its knees. Google said that was already investing heavily just to keep data flowing.

Many have talked of the internet in some instances replacing TV with its own online shows and content, but Google said that it simply does not "scale".

The company instead said it would work together with cable operators to combine its technology for searching for video and TV footage and its tailored advertising with the cable networks high-quality delivery of shows.

Source: Brand Republic

Tags: google youtube internet tv broadcast cable web

MySpace launches £1m film quest

If you've ever harboured dreams of becoming the next Steven Spielberg, here's your chance.

From tomorrow, budding film-makers can post their shorts at MySpace Movie MashUp, a competition organised by MySpace, the social networking website, and two UK production companies, Film 4.

In the first competition of its kind, the winner will get to direct a feature-length film with a £1m budget, which will be released in cinemas in 2008. Any British resident, regardless of past film experience, can participate. The deadline for submission is April 27.

Five finalists will be picked by a jury that includes, among others, actor Sienna Miller, director Anthony Minghella, Andrew MacDonald, the producer of Trainspotting, and Kevin Macdonald, the director of The Last King of Scotland. The great MySpace public will then decide the overall winner by online vote.

Then, the project's backers will work with the director to pick a project - either choosing from scripts in development, starting a new collaboration with an experienced writer, or considering a project brought by the director.

More at Guardian Unlimited (subscription required)

Tags: feature film competition myspace vertigo+films film+4 film-makers

Channel 4 launches second ‘viral Oscars’

Broadcaster Channel 4 has teamed up with viral site BoreMe.com to launch the annual international viral awards `Germ' to find the Best Commercially Produced Viral.

The Germ viral awards are free to enter and agencies from all over the world can submit as many entries as they wish.

Entries can be submitted from now until the end of March and details of how to submit entries can be found at www.channel4.com/germ.

Last year London based viral agency Maverick won the Best Commercially Produced Viral for a campaign to promote the racing simulation game Juiced.

more at: NetImperative

tags: viral channel+4 germ awards

YouTube to share ad revenue with content creators

YouTube is to share advertising revenues with the real stars of its site, the people who make and send in videos.

Chad Hurley, YouTube co-founder, has confirmed that his team is working on a mechanism that would reward creativity and may even be ready within months. The offer only applies to those who own full copyright of the video sent in.

The scheme will be rolled out gradually with no plans for a big launch, Hurley was quick to say, when announcing the plans at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Source; Brand Republic

Tags: youtube user+generated+content videos

Skype unveils Web TV service

Internet telephony firm Skype has unveiled ‘Joost’, its new Internet TV service.

The service, previously codenamed the Venice Project, uses peer-to-peer technology to let broadcasters stream full length TV programmes and films to viewers online.

The Joost menu lets users change channels by clicking on links. Users can control of the content and access any show offered regardless of time of day. They can also timeshift, rewinding or fast forwarding within a show.

Currently in beta test, Joost has not yet struck any deals with major movie studios or TV producers to stream their content over the service. Currently all it offers is a limited line up of sports, documentaries and music programming.

Commenting on the service, Frederik de Wahl, chief executive at Joost, said:"It's full-screen, broadcast quality, you've got instant channel flipping, and interactivity - a viewer can come to us and get all their TV needs."

The service has been set up by Janus Friis and Niklas Zennström, the duo behind peer-to-peer software Kazaa and VoIP firm Skype.

Source: Net Imperative

Tags: skype tv joost internet service content venice+project

Sky teaser campaign for 24 teaser recieves 60,000 players

The teaser campaign created for Sky One's hit espionage drama '24' has attracted more than 60,000 UK players so far.

Sky One launched the online digital marketing push for the sixth series of '24', created by digital agency Meme, on January 8.

Using the http://www.ctuagent.com/ website as a starting point and the password 99k36f, fans can embark on their own Jack Bauer-style quest to defeat the terrorists and save Los Angeles -- again. After entering their details, players receive a phone call outlining the mission. From there, a text message from Jack Bauer, who is played by Kiefer Sutherland in the series, directs players to another website, where the mission continues.

The campaign also uses email and a visit to YouTube.com before players eventually find the page that lets them watch an eight-minute prequel to the upcoming series, visit Sky's 24 website and enter a competition to visit the set of 24 in LA.

Source: Brand Republic

Tags: 24 tv marketing advertising prequel

Apple launches the iPhone

Apple unveiled its hugely anticipated bid to take a bite out of the multi-billion dollar global mobile phone market yesterday with a "revolutionary" sleek, one-button device that combines iPod, internet and phone and will cost around £250 pounds ($499).

"Once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, as he demonstrated the iPhone to whoops and cheers from a 4,000-strong audience at Macworld in San Francisco. "Apple is reinventing the phone."

In keeping with Apple's signature sleek simplicity, the 3.5 inch screen takes up most of the front of the device with just a single button at the bottom that returns users to the home page.

Instead of the fiddly "plasticky" keyboards of most smart phones, Mr Jobs said, the iPhone does away with buttons. Instead it is operated by touching the screen with your finger, scrolling up or down through songs on the iPod function, for example, or typing out emails and text messages on the keyboard that appears when needed.

Read more at Telegraph.co.uk and BBC.co.uk

Video: Steve Jobs unveils the iPhone in San Francisco

Tags: apple iphone steve+jobs mobile cell phone music mp3 digital