Online Video Predictions for 2012
Unicorn Media predictions via Vidcompare.com:
The venerable OVP space is going to continue to consolidate – no surprise there – but the players who are growing are solving real problems for a space that has made mobile and connected device video more than a novelty.
- The problem of platform proliferation is still growing. There is so much innovation in business models and technology that content producers will continue to be challenged with the need to reach new devices, operating systems and delivery networks. At Unicorn Media we see dozens of new devices accessing our customers’ content each week. The Kindle Fire is just the beginning of a parade of emerging technology such as the Honeycomb (and all its variants), Windows Phone 7.5 (and 8), the long-awaited Apple TV and the many connected TVs expected to surface this year at CES.
- Rise of the “channel”. Netflix is losing its stronghold on content deals and the customer relationship. The number of specialty OTT providers producing channels to reach Roku, LG, Samsung and Apple TVs will begin to swell this year (see Popcorn Flix, FilmBox, Music Choice and others for examples of this today). When the logjam breaks is anybody’s guess, but these entrepreneurs are looking for ways to reach customers – fast. Solutions for Live and Linear channels will become as important as VOD as part of a complete solution for engaging customers.
- REAL-time Analytics and Dynamic Advertising is moving from a concept to a need. The trends above increase the need for solutions that allow video publishers to shape their business model into something that works for them and their customers. OVP providers who cannot supply their customers with real-time analytics that allow for on-the-fly adjustments, advertising content that can change or shift without relying on a Flash client, a device-specific app, or re-transcoding will be greatly challenged to meet ever-increasing customer demand to reach the sea of devices while making real-time decisions that affect their profitability.
Bill Rinehart, CEO, Unicorn Media
