Don’t expect to see full length television shows on your wireless phone or handheld anytime soon - but
do expect the major networks to supply short clips of pilots which you can “sample” before they actually hit the “airwaves.”
According to the market research firm ABI Research, the emerging video download industry is a perfect “test bed” for full-length television shows. Instead of a network spending millions on the development of a new, 13-episode sitcom or some other show, it can now develop a short video which can be played on portable devices and have it “tested” by users to see if it should become a full-fledged television program. Based on sales of video clips, networks can decide whether a concept should be developed into an hour-long primetime show - or just remain a three minute snippet to be played on wireless devices. With more than 70 percent of all new shows failing in the first season, it makes sense that the major networks would use the portable device market to test out new shows.
As Vamsi Sistla, ABI’s director of broadband, digital home and media research, pointed out in a recent
news release, the new delivery method could help networks answer the critical question: “Should this be a full-length show?” While short-form and feature shows differ, a portable download hit is probably worth a full-length investment.
Furthermore, devices such as Apple’s video iPod and the Sony PSP allow entertainment networks to distribute premium content without having to worry about piracy.
The day may come when the users of portable devices help call the shots in terms of which shows get developed and which ones do not.
Patrick Barnard is Associate Editor for TMCnet and a columnist covering the telecom industry. To see more of his articles, please visit
Patrick Barnard’s columnist page.
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