Webbywood Wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wawa Webbywoooooood

Let's put it on the web!

Fox is piling on the put-yer-shows-on-the-web front just like ABC.  This will allow people do download shows at will.

This ultimate on-demand programming is very convenient.  But Fox and ABC should ask themselves how this integrates into their overall production scheme.

The reason that ABC is starting with Lost is that it's already profitable.  The push media has made it so.  That's the tall side of the power curve.

The net isn't about the tall side of the power curve, it's about the long tail.  At that impacts the shape of the curve.  How, remains to be seen.

Lost gets big money and can put on a big production.  But what if I'm more happy looking back on old re-runs of Flipper?

On the other hand, shows like Twin Peaks or Smallville had cult followings that would likely continue watching the show forever.  Could the net and the long tail provide a revenue stream to make production runs like Dr. Who or the Simpson for all shows? 

Such long tail productions would only be possible in an on-demand environment.  Like my post yesterday, on-demand environments require something to drive traffic to the site.  Groups need to discuss the content.  The content needs to develop context.   Having said that, context is best created outside the organization that produces the content.

I could see interest generated by having writers and actors affiliated with the show blog, having on-line events, but having shows start to reach outside their own environment.  Most cult favorite shows have a draw beyond just the actual show.  As an example, X-Files incorporated a wide range of occult references which could be explored in-depth on line by fans. 

Simply telling me I can pay $2.99 and watch a TV show I missed last night isn't going to get me excited.  It may be convenient and I may do it.  I may even do it often.  But it's not going to drive me to watch new content.  It's not going to create a buzz.  It is using the internet as a utility and not as a community.  That's boring.




Technorati Tags: Fox, web, blogging, community_indicators, context