ENDAVO BLOG

The New World Order of Live Events

By Jason Anderson

From a sea of flickering flames swaying to Dylan’s “Blowin’ In the Wind” to thousands of iPhone lighter apps bouncing to the tunes of Lady Gaga, there’s no doubt that live concerts (and live events, in general) have changed dramatically. But you haven’t seen anything yet.

Live streaming events are a booming industry—with concerts and music fests leading the way. Just look at the Foo Fighters, who drew in 440,000 live streams to a Web-only show. Or take the live stream of a U2 concert last fall watched by nearly seven million people.

Soon fans will be able to watch concerts anywhere, anytime and on multiple devices. And for content producers, broadcasters and telcos, opportunity (and audience) awaits. Live events can generate revenue and offer greater audience interaction and user flexibility. Consider the following:

The TV, Internet and Mobile Collide. Concerts are no longer limited to stadiums, arenas and auditoriums. Performers are now reaching larger audiences through live streaming and on-demand video (via TVs, PCs, and smart phones).

Local to Global. Local concerts now service their nearby market and go global through live streaming—creating new opportunities for monetization. Take Endavo-powered TheCoolTV, which broadcasts live localized events and offers a vast library of classic concerts on demand. Through a partnership with Sinclair Television Group, TheCoolTV is expanding to 34 new markets to reach 23 million new homes. Those markets will be able to view killer content on TV with folks around the world tuning in online. The plus side: more audience almost always means more ad dollars.;

Social Media Integration. Live streaming events also open the door to big-time audience engagement. Case in point: at this year’s Grammy Awards more than 135,000 Grammy-related tweets were generated--that night! Live streaming events combined with social media greatly boosts brand awareness leading to higher revenues.

While times are a changin’, content producers haven’t yet missed the global audience train. Give us a call to learn more about how hosting live streaming events can build your brand online and beyond.

You Gotta See This…Oh, Wait. It’s Buffering.

By Pete Contardo

Sure. We all love watching video clips of skateboarding dogs and talking babies on YouTube. But buffer once, even for short videos, and we’re out. A recent study by Tubemogul found that 81 percent of all online video viewers —- that’s four out of five of us -— click away if a video rebuffers just once. Now, imagine trying to watch a full-length movie on YouTube.

The quality of service issue when it comes to delivering video content, especially those looking to monetize their video content, is critical. It’s tough to charge a premium, be it ads or subscriptions, when your platform can’t deliver the quality experience that your audience expects. So, good luck to YouTube in their latest plan to offer movies on their site. But don’t take it from me. Just ask SNL’s Weekend Update New Media Correspondent Bobby Moynihan what he thinks about this latest move from YouTube. Oh, wait. He’s buffering…

Takeaways From Streaming Media West & Online Video Platform Summit ’09: Part 2

By Brent Grablachoff

Last week I shared a few key insights gleaned from attending the recent Streaming Media West and Online Video Platform Summit ’09. I wrote on 3-Screen Delivery and Mobile Video Delivery. Today, I will be concluding with Paid/Premium Content, Detailed Video Analytics and Live Streaming.

Live Streaming

Most visitors to our Endavo booth were overwhelmingly interested in streaming live video. I'm watching as live streaming gradually becomes a higher priority. These days, we live in a world where people want to see real events, right NOW. The demand and need for Video on Demand (VOD) cannot be ignored.

Paid/Premium Content

Because businesses are in the business of making money, many are starting to notice ways to monetize their online video content, too. This question is on everyone's mind, "Why create a Web site offering high-quality and premium video content, if we're just going to give it away for free?" That’s why conference attendees were asking us about video monetization models, and if Pay-Per-View offers a better ROI over Subscription or Membership models.

While there is no universally accepted single “best” online video monetization model, there are multiple ways available that will offer an effective combination of revenue generating tools for your business. We feel it’s crucial that each businesses assess and decide what’s important to their audiences – then apply a monetization model that best achieves their specific business objectives.

Detailed Video Analytics

Without a goal or plan, your business is like a ship without a sail. Because it’s important to track and measure results, I was especially interested in the conference’s discussion on ‘Analytics & Measurements’. At Endavo, we believe creating deeper analytics will become more of a development priority in the digital media revolution. Metrics such as total videos views, most watched videos, and what’s generating buzz are helpful, but you should demand more. The Streaming Media West panel predicted in 2010 we’ll see more detailed analytics, such as: How long did the user view the video? Did they skip through the ads? Did they watch the video in its entirety? Where did they drop off?

Also, as discussed, we’ll see more proven tracking methods for geographical drill-downs and metrics showing video viewership on a global, country, state and city-wide radius. While overall online video technology continues to evolve, we believe the capability to dive deeper into online video viewership dynamics will help companies realize better ROI, monitor and track marketing and sales goals, and appreciate the contribution of online video to their business mix.

Conclusion

Online video has come a long way the past 5 years – but we have an even longer way to go in the next two. Technology continues to evolve, new companies are launching every day ... and best practices continue to be implemented.

I admit that I can get wrapped up in the capabilities of online video, and the myriad of services offered ... and why our platform is so great. But it’s important to not get too focused on the array of technical services available throughout digital media. You should instead do your research, stay up to date as best as you can and ultimately find solutions that solve problems and make sense for your business.

And most importantly, develop a solution that provides your audience an opportunity to engage, interact and consume ... and keep giving them reasons to come back for more.

Lessons from Internet Summit ’09: Live Streaming, VOD, and Ad Placement

Yeah, the Internet turned 40-years-old this year, prompting a birthday article by the Guardian, but it’s far from being “over the hill” – at least, not at this summit.

More than 75 industry experts and Internet thought leaders from companies such as Technorati, Pandora, ESPN and Google, convened at the second annual Internet Summit earlier this month in Raleigh, N.C. And this year, it was streamed live—thanks to Endavo Media.

One hot topic discussed at the conference was online video solutions for businesses, especially live streaming versus on-demand.

Here's a quick look at the main discussions at the summit:

Live Streaming: Live streaming allows content producers to engage an audience with an interactive environment. This includes chatting, commenting and social media opportunities that allow the audience to really feel like they’re a part of the event. It also creates a feeling of exclusivity. The audience feels as though they’re the “first to see” or that they’re part of the “in-crowd” with live streaming events. The key take-away for businesses: It’s important to focus on gaining a large amount of content and then up-selling to a paid platform.

On-Demand: Content providers looking at on-demand video need to focus on monetization of their content (especially longer form content). Analyze and measure the value of the content. Plus, focus on premium content, higher-end media/broadcasting companies. 

Mix It Up: Luckily, businesses don’t have to choose between the two. Endavo Media provides a platform that allows both live streaming and on-demand video. The next Internet Summit lesson, however, is making money from all your work.

Monetization: Content providers don’t necessarily need to choose ad networks. This allows businesses to 1) have a personal relationship with the advertisers, 2) only include relevant ads to their sites, and 3) have greater control over the where/when of ad displays in order to keep customers from being blasted by unnecessary advertisements. Also, consider playing video ads on the same media player that viewers are watching VOD. This keeps the viewers on the company’s site (and NOT the advertiser’s site).

A strong Internet video strategy starts with research, followed by some trial and error to find the best overall solution for your content and audience. We look forward to covering future events and conferences to gather the latest opinions and trends in online video. Until then, Happy Birthday, Internet! 40 years and still going strong.

Lessons from Space and Xbox 360’s Sky Player

By Jason Anderson 

“Houston, we have a problem.”

Those famous words by astronaut Jim Lovell on the ill-fated Apollo 11 mission should never be spoken of your online, mobile or IPTV content distribution. Whether you’re a niche content producer or a major media company, proper planning will reduce hiccups and help you launch and manage your online efforts.

The folks at Xbox 360 in Europe are learning about proper pre-planning the hard way, perhaps with Jim Lovell’s voice ringing in their ears.

Xbox 360 recently launched Sky Player, which as this article relates, allows Sky TV subscribers to access live and on demand content. Sky Player is also available to non-Sky TV customers for £15/month.

Demand has been so high that Xbox 360 has been forced to suspend the service while they upgrade their network capacity. In fact, they’re now implementing a phased rollout to protect against future outages.

As you launch your online, mobile or IPTV offerings or as you ramp up to a bigger and better audience, be sure to plan for success by choosing a platform that can handle major traffic and includes “roll up your sleeves” support to quickly tackle issues on the road to generating revenue and distributing your content. Frankly, relying heavily on so-called ‘free services’ such as YouTube and Blip.tv may appear to save you money in the near-term, but your long-term goals can suffer due to slow performance at peak traffic times, lack of real-time technical support and more.

Thankfully, Lovell and friends made it back to earth unscathed. And though the jury’s still out on whether Sky Player will overcome their initial stumbles, both tales illustrate the need for better upfront planning. Be sure to learn from their missteps and lay a firm foundation to accomplish your online, mobile or IPTV goals.

Been There, Streamed That: 3 Lessons Learned

By Jason Anderson

Well, I'm back! I returned from the 2009 Lifelight Music Festival in Sioux Falls, S.D. a couple weeks ago, and I'm already looking forward to next year's event. To say the least, I had an amazing trip. The bands were great, the crowd was full of energy and the experience was unforgettable. But even more exciting than being out there with 300,000 fans was knowing that I was a part of something bigger.

For the first time in their 12-year history, LifeLight wanted to offer live streaming concert coverage to fans across the nation during the 3-day festival. So, you better believe that we were there to make it happen. So while live events are fresh on my mind, I wanted to share a few tips to help make your next online video live event a success. Sure, every live broadcast is going to be different in terms of venue, content, audience, production, budget, schedule, etc. But there are a few fundamental things that it’s always good to remind yourself of when preparing for your event.

1) Internet Connection is King

When planning a major online event, be sure to repeatedly test your live online connection strength prior to your event. This can easily be accomplished by connecting a DVD player or other video source to your streaming computer and to check out the quality of your broadcast. Don't take your internet provider's word on your upload speed -- inspect it personally.

2) Cameras, Computers and Coding, Oh My!

Prior to a live online event, be sure to test the quality of your input and output devices (cameras, encoders, etc.) to guarantee a flawless end-user experience.  Remember, the live stream can only ever be as good as your original source.  Also, try to dedicate a computer solely to the live online broadcast, and have a back-up. 

3) Ready, Set, Subscribe!

Be sure to set up an automatic subscription process through your live broadcast/video on-demand platform. This will streamline the user registration and log-in process, and simplify the way you manage registrations. By keep it simple, you’ll not only increase the number of people who subscribe but also increase the quality of the experience. Then, your audience can enjoy the event, without getting hung up during the registration process.

More live event tips to come. In the meantime, thanks to the incredible folks at Lifelight Festival. See you next year!

LifeLight Music Festival 2009 Teams Up with Endavo Media to Stream Live Concert Footage Online

By Jason Anderson

These days, live online streaming is hotter than ever. Take the LifeLight Festival, the largest free Christian music festival in the U.S. happening this Labor Day weekend. Last year, over 320,000 fans gathered on a grassy plain in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the free outdoor concert. This year, the event will extend far beyond the Mount Rushmore state-- it's going online to a live global audience.

LifeLight will broadcast nearly 30 hours of live music to paid subscribers over three days in stunning audio and video quality. During the live broadcast, fans will see interactive banner advertisements for the on-stage artists' latest CDs, future concert tickets and more. Between acts, LifeLight fans will also have the opportunity to enjoy music videos from their favorite bands or cruise back to the LifeLight main website to find out more about their non-profit ministry.

So what does this have to do with your brand or, for that matter, your band?

Now is the best time to consider new ways to reach your audience. Think about it -- how do you to connect with clients, fans and others in real-time? Live online broadcasting within a custom-branded environment will build a lasting relationship with your audience, especially if you're featuring niche events for dedicated fans and followers.

While some of the video sharing sites do offer to host your live broadcasts, you better be prepared to give up control over your revenue and your brand. So if you’re serious, stop reaching for their “carrot on a stick” and begin fully capitalizing on live event opportunities to connect with your fans with your own platform. Learn from LifeLight's cost-effective, custom-branded efforts and capture your own dedicated fan base using live online broadcasting.

3 Reasons Now is the Time for Broadcasters to Become “Broadband-casters” – Part 2

By Paul D Hamm

I my previous post, I wrote about Consumer adoption of Internet TV and how it has contributed to the development of online communities around video. Today, I want to discuss how new technologies make it easy and affordable for content owners to reach their audiences online and build social communities around their web video.

Technology is now readily available – and affordable – to manage, distribute and monetize broadband-delivered content. And because so many people are watching video online, content producers and broadcasters alike can easily reach wider audiences and then use available tools to engage people and promote interaction, both of which means more money for your content.  
Yes, the technology to deliver a high-quality experience to PCs, mobile phones and TVs through broadband (IPTV) has been a reality for a few years now.  However, the means to do so haven’t been readily available and affordable for all content producers.

If you want to launch an online video, social media, mobile video and/or IPTV service, your choices are generally limited to a few strategies. You can build it yourself. However, such an initiative will require a significant investment of capital, time and IT resources – and the pay-off is not always positive. You can distribute your content through existing social networks, video sharing sites and content aggregators and hope to get some shared ad revenue (raise your hand if you’re actually generating a profitable business plan this way… anyone?). You can have your webmaster piece together a content delivery strategy using open-source, free or cheap applications (But then, what happens when you are faced with a real challenge or needprofessional help?). Or, you can use a hosted platform-as-a-service model, which has traditionally been pretty expensive or inadequate. 

However, times they are a changin’!.. There are now a good handful of companies that provide very robust content delivery platforms at affordable prices. These online video platforms can truly enable end-to-end delivery of live and on-demand content to multiple destinations. They can provide you with various video management, distribution and monetization options. Some of them will even allow you to build interactive communities around your content by integrating your online video portal with a branded social network and viral video (I can think of one I would recommend). These platforms provide content owners with all the necessary tools to build profitable businesses around professionally-produced online video leaving no excuse to why you shouldn’t be streaming video online if you have commercial-ready content, brand and audience.

Look out for my next blog post on online video Monetization Models available to content producers today!

Small Sports Teams/Leagues: Huge Opportunity to Use Online Video

By Shaun Pope

The great thing about sports is that people get so passionate about it. So, if you’re a sports marketer, team/league promoter or just a hardcore fan, building an online community around sports is a no-brainer.

The first step is to create a place where fans, players and supporters can meet online. You can always start with a blog. But sport is about action and nothing does this better than video. So, using online video is a great way to attract fans to your site. Not to mention the sponsors that want to reach them.

The good news is that you don’t even have to worry about production. Most fans, parents and coaches are already capturing video and pictures. What you need is a centralized place where community members can share their user-gen content and interact with one another. The most cost- and time-efficient way to get your video community up and running is to select a fully-hosted online video platform that lets you create a branded video community and gives you total control over your media, audience and monetization options. As your community expands, you may decide to stream live video from key athletic events or to invest into additional video production like interviews with players and weekly team reports.  Your Internet TV platform should have the capability to supports your community’s changing needs.

You can then monetize you online video community by attracting sponsors and advertisers who want to reach your audience.  Advertisers will be able to become active community members by supporting team segments, including their own videos, sponsoring live events or displaying ads on your website and within your online video player. Need an example? Take a look at what American Powerboat TV has done with its sponsors. You can also monetize your community through fee-based subscriptions or by selling access to live streaming events.

What’s great about online video is that it’s a great equalizer. It’s now possible for USA Water Ski to have the same powerful marketing and promotion tools as the National Football League. And if you’re wondering, yes, Endavo Media can help.

Bringing Concert DVDs Online - Broadcasting Live Video From the Stage

By Jason Anderson
A few weeks ago I trekked to Pagosa Springs, Colorado for our annual "man trip" featuring paintball, Texas Hold 'Em and plenty of Wii. Concert DVDs by Matchbox 20, Eric Clapton and Rush provided the soundtrack for our extravaganza.

If you're a music lover or just a big fan of a special group of bands, you've no doubt plunked down $35 or more for these concert DVDs, which according to our trip DJ--whom himself is a killer percussionist--is the next best thing to being at the show. This from a guy who's seen literally hundreds of concerts including U2, Elton John, Tim McGraw, Rush, Billy Joel and many more.

Frankly, it amazes me that such a solid musician and huge audiophile would want to see his favorite bands on the small screen. But my friend's love for concert DVDs got the gerbel in my head back on its wheel...

Why don't bands stream live from the stage and sell online season passes to all of their shows? Unless fans are utter Dead Heads, Parrot Heads and/or perpetually unemployed, they won't be able to make it to every show. Broadcasting live video from concerts can solve this problem. With the advent of synching your computer with your TV, killer home audio and unbelievably fast broadband access, any true fan should be able to see every show.

Imagine a concert DVD that features every tour stop! How much would you spend on that? $49.95? $99.95? More?

And what about music festivals? Imagine Alive Fest, Lilith Fair and the thousands of other music fests--either with several stops or one multi-day show--offering live online concert packages! Add to that user-gen contests leading up to the show and fan video uploads after the show(s) and you've got a recipe for huge fan response and big revenue! Did I mention online title, video advertising and banner sponsorships by existing sponsors?!?

The concert DVD was just the beginning. Now it's time for bands, promoters and fans to bring the show online.