Can Hollywood solve 'webtv' shows?

Warner Bros think so with www.theWB.com

Comments from CNET about the portal that launched in the summer:

TheWB.com: Big media's beacon of hope?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10073941-36.html?tag=mncol;posts

Also, Sony are showing the way with www.crackle.com

CRACKLE: New Webisodes Every Weekday Sony Revamps Old Grouper Video Network
http://www.webtvhub.com/crackle-new-webisodes-every-weekday-sony-revamps-old-grouper-video-network/

I say bring it on.....where there is a Hollywood studio, there is money.

Is this any good - i don't think so.

Wine Web drama for Middle Britain

http://if.futurescape.co.uk/2008/10/wine-web-drama-for-middle-britain.html

is this any good - i don't think so. Best bit is the sponsor - Jacob's Creek

If you can't beat 'em join 'em

BBC programmes now available on Sky Player

http://www.brandrepublic.com/Digital/News/855057/BBC-programmes-available-Sky-Player/?DCMP=EMC-Digital-Bulletin

Sky are always quick to take advantage of us ....respect to them. Perhaps BBC will now do deals with Joost and others to overcome any issues against Kangaroo

ITV hails Britannia High as 360 landmark

ITV has heralded a new era of 360-degree commissioning as it gears up to launch a ground-breaking array of multiplatform content around teen musical drama Britannia High.

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/09/itv_hails_britannia_high_as_360_landmark.html

Not sure if this is really a 360 degree commission, sounds like a TV show with a lot of programme support........can anyone show me any evidence that the non-TV content will influence the TV show?

Kangaroo extended

The competition commission has extended the deadline for deciding the fate of Kangaroo

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/10/kangaroo_deadline_extended.html

Is this a bad thing for the UK, where our broadcasters are trying to compete on a world stage against competitors like Hulu.....

Or is this a good thing for UK competition, allowing other players (BT Vision, Blinkbox etc.) to get TV rights for their fledgling services?

Burger King & Seth MacFarlane

I love this:

http://uk.youtube.com/bk

It could possible be the beginning of YouTube's entrance in to helping support professionally produced original content.

VOD news

2 things caught my interest this week in the press:
- Kangaroo, a JV between BBC worldwide, C4 and ITV
- Virgin Media claiming its VOD service has more viewers than Five (and then retracting the statement)

It shows the press, broadcasters and platforms all believe VOD has reached an important point of maturity. Or does it show the broadcasters need to club together to compete.....ITV.com has been no success since its relaunch.

Kangaroo is well placed in the UK to compete with Joost, Babelgum and portals such as MSN, as long as it can secure the rights to its programmes.