Google announced earlier today that it had entered into a syndication deal with Viacom's MTV Networks. The plan is to syndicate a host of video clips, both professionally produced and user-generated, to publisher sites in the AdSense network. Google originally broke the news that it was integrating video into it’s successful AdSense product this past May however now that the first big name has signed on with clips from such popular MTV Networks shows as "Laguna Beach" and "SpongeBob SquarePants", it should draw a lot more interest. The deal will split ad revenue between the hosting site, Viacom and Google. If the test, which will begin later this month, proves promising, it could help change the business model for distributing video online and improve on AdSense's revenues, which last year totaled $2.7 billion.
e-Media Exchange could put the ad-buying/selling world on its ear. eBay is bringing its auction format to the ad world by connecting buyers and sellers of TV advertising in an online exchange. They are testing the new service, called the E-Media Exchange, with leading marketers, agencies and cable networks, including Toyota Motor, Wal-Mart Stores, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard and Home Depot, as well as a handful of media buyers including Interpublic Group's Magna Global. These companies are set to spend around $50 million combined to purchase ads on the exchange, which is supplied and managed by eBay. The test is located at www.admarketpilot.com. This move is intended as a first step in establishing a market value for TV spots, based on true demand. Links: AdWeek 08/04/06 - EBay Powers Online TV Ad Exchange, AdAge 08/04/06 - Marketers Release Details of Online TV Trading System
AOL will launch a beta test preview of its new AOL Video portal later this week, available at www.aolvideo.com. This free portal service will include more than 45 new VOD channels containing thousands of hours of programming from various content partners such as A&E Network, MTV Networks, Warner Bros. Entertainment and the WNBA among others. It will also include a sophisticated video search engine with interactive programming guide; free streaming content and other full-length content available for purchase, as well as a multitude of videos, news clips, movie trailers, TV shows and more. Link: NYTimes.com 07/31/06 - AOL Plans Expansion of Videos on Portal
Time's are changing and apparently so is the guard. Gone is the long running ABC Monday Night Football (see past SMM Post - 12/26/06 The End of an Era for ABC). To the television history books goes ABC's Wide World of Sports. As of September 2, 2006 the ABC Sports brand will be put to rest. The Walt Disney Company will start a major branding campaign, "ESPN on ABC," will
extend ESPN, the large cable sports network, as the umbrella TV sports programming brand on the ABC Television Network. Now when viewers tune in on ABC, all sports programming will have the exact on-air graphics look of ESPN. The last sporting event televised by ABC Sports will be the Little League World Series on Sunday, August 27. Links: MediaDailyNews.com 08/11/06 - ESPN Takes Over ABC Sports, Drop Kicks ABC Brand, MediaWeek.com 08/11/06 - ESPN Brand to Be Tagged on All ABC Sports Content
