Internet TV

One of the cries of “new media” is that the internet will become the place that Americans turn to for entertainment. “The internet is the new television” so to say. One of the things that spark this belief is the rise of the latest online series of "television" shows. Recently, I was introduced to a show called “Quarterlife” that produces installments that are usually about 7 minutes long and come out twice a week.

(Dylan from Quarterlife)

The show is AWESOME. My roommate and I became addicted to it and I watched about 30 of the installments in only a few sittings. It is about a group of friends around our age who are trying to find their way in the world and dealing with relationship issues, beginning careers, breaking away from their parents, etc. As college seniors, the show appeals to us. The characters are endearing and the chemistry between the cast is incredible. It is sexy, it is funny, and it is addicting. The show was picked up by NBC this year, and the installments were put together into full length episodes, however it was canceled after one episode aired (rumors are that it is moving to Bravo…?).

Although this is just one scenario, it makes me wonder what the future of internet television is. Is it really “the next TV” or will internet series continue to go through this cycle of gaining popularity and then getting PICKED UP by a television station and either flopping or succeeding in that medium.

Gawker.com had an article today about the internet television program “Break A Leg”. This independent program was offered a deal from YouTube that gave the site exclusive rights and offered to pay the makers of “Break A Leg” for their work. Gawker posted a letter from one of the producers of the show stating how they have barely received any money from YouTube, which is harming their ability to produce the show. “Break A Leg” films with a full cast, crew, script, locations, etc. Although I don’t have the details on “Quarterlife”, I am sure it is similar. So, the question is proposed that if the internet is going to be the home to the latest in entertainment programs… where will the money come from to fund their production?

A recent study by APCO on “The State of Blog Relations”, that I also found on Gawker, showed that over ½ the bloggers surveyed are ready to get paid by PR firms to write about products and services (and not necessarily reveal that they are being compensated). Since bloggers are ready to cash in on what they’ve been doing for free, it only makes sense that the makers of online series are going to want in as well... especially since the series have a cost to be produced.

So who is going to fund it?