Obama Inauguration: A Big Day for iTV Too

While Obama’s inauguration day was a day of many milestones in U.S. history, it was also a big day for web-internet-interactive-mobile television. Today's online video technology either didn't exist during the last inauguration or was in its infancy. Online video, the social Web, and mobile applications took center stage, as millions worldwide accessed and shared the inauguration experience and information online.

For online video specifically, a record number of Americans viewed the event at work, school, or at home. According to Akamai, a record 7.7 million viewers did so simultaneously, making it the most-watched live event in online video's history.

Outside of some expected capacity issues that excluded some users from accessing the stream optimally, the inauguration online was by most reports a success. Some long-time online video enthusiasts might remember an event almost exactly 10 years ago that did not go as well.

By the headline and sub-header, we surely have come a long way. For me, the web stream was moving even faster online than on cable TV!

I also downloaded the Ustream app for my iPhone the day before and thus was able to watch the inauguration while on the road. (No, I was NOT driving!) According to Ustream, over 100,000 users downloaded this application before the inauguration, making it the 6th most popular application in the iTunes store.




This certainly has the hallmarks of a major breakthrough in mobile and online video. I do expect live sporting events and the like to follow shortly, as sports fans, for a reasonable fee, sign up by the millions to watch their games whenever an wherever they want.


PS. I’m told, that if you had a Facebook account, you could log in via Facebook Connect while watching the CNN.com live stream.

Producing Good Online Video is One Thing; Delivering It Well, Another

Online video does open new ways of connecting with your customers and other constituents; and new revenue streams too, if you are in the enviable position of being able to monetize your content.

This ONLY happens, though, if you are attentive to the following three key areas:

1. Identifying important streams
2. Establishing performance targets, and
3. Comparing your performance to your competitors

Your technology staff and/or contract professionals have equally important roles to fulfill. They have to:

4. Define the right technical delivery methods
5. Quantify performance targets, and
6. Ensure adequate capacity

All web elements are not equal. As you focus on the most critical streams, your tech staff must examine the means for delivering them: What's available in-house? What do we have to outsource? Have we tested third-party video distribution services?

Today, the minimum standard for delivery is 97% error-free multimedia performance. Your viewers and customers' expectations are also formed by their experiences at other online sites.

As your commitment to multimedia grows, so too will your investment in technologies -- in-house or with third-party vendors -- to help you deliver your content effectively and consistently.

Yes, producing good online video is one thing; delivering it well is another and the third where most of us have had the most difficulty and I'm sure others will concur is making your "channel" known. Enter MillionDollarWebTV, which will deliver your message in your own channel on a widely known, high traffic website.