Plizy's Blog

The best thing about working at a startup like Plizy is the pace of change. Startups are dizzying and thrilling at the same time because there is so much experimentation and so many unknowns.

I thought I would collect a few facts that I've learned since starting at Plizy that speak to how much technology and entertainment are changing. It's a tectonic shift that's happening right under our feet and so gradually, you don't even feel like you're moving most of the time. 

• Youtube is the 800lb gorilla of online video, unsurprisingly. In fact, if it wasn't part of google, it would be the world's second biggest search engine and every minute of every day, 700 videos are shared on Youtube.  
• Content might still be king: Game of Thrones is the most pirated TV series of all time but interestingly observers like  Erik Kain at Forbes have have started to shift blame from individuals to gatekeepers who refuse to get with the program. 
• Comedy is the most popular type of content on Plizy, reflecting the state of the web in general. Comedy took over news as the web's most watched genre in 2010. 
• The average web video is 6.4 minutes long...and only getting longer.
• Online originals are gaining steam as mentioned in last week's post as video sites like Blip announce web originals.
• People will pay for web video that are "fair and worthwhile" as Louis CK demonstrated with his $5, DRM-free (read: pirate-able) web exclusive, with which he benefitted handsomely. 
• Yahoo may be beleagured with "resume-gate" and recent layoffs but it's currently the reigning #2 in online video viewership with Y! Screen, thanks to gems like this: 

To say web video has come a long way would be a bit like observing that "that Facebook sure is popular". We're at an inflection point for online video with more and more investment in web originals because people are watching and hungry for entertainment!  

Netflix did it in February with Lillyhammer, starring Steve Van Zandt (look, it's Silvio from The Sopranos), with rumors of more original programming on the way. Hulu currently features originals like A Day in the Life directed by Morgan Spurlock (acclaimed director of Supersize Me) and expects to spend $500 million in 2012 alone beefing up it's original content roster. Google is investing $100 million into web video producers who have chosen Youtube as their distribution channel. $30 million is rumored to have been set aside for the immensely popular Machinima alone. The trend is clear: big investments in high quality, increasingly scripted content that is intended for the web only because web video is kind of hot right now. 

Where It Gets Spicy (WIGS) is a Youtube channel partner set to debut on May 14 is notable on a few different fronts. Firstly, the producers are Hollywood insiders with an impressive track record in film. Secondly, the focus on female protagonists (of which there is a shortage in mainstream Hollywood) says that they're willing to take a risk on content that might not otherwise get greenlighted. Thirdly, from top shelf production values to the star power they've assembled in their cast - this is a no holds barred attempt at compelling web only programming. 

Check out this sizzle reel and lose count of how many of the faces you recognize:

WIGS episodes will come in five to twelve minute segments, with the first installment is due next week. We'll be sure to keep you posted on this. 

Jimmy Kimmel hosted and roasted the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington last Saturday. As is tradition, the President, First Lady and senior administration officials were in attendance alongside White House press corps. In recent years, many celebrity guests have been regulars on the guest roster. From the famous Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger who safely landed a stricken commercial airliner on New York's Hudson river in 20089 to the famous-for-being-famous, Kim Kardashian - stars were all in attendance. Barack Obama turns his flair for oration to comedy pretending to unwittingly have his mic on in the bathroom and poking fun at those denying his American birth. These two featured videos are long, to be sure, but well worth it. 

Use the Plizy Bookmarklet to watch these videos when you're ready.

Step 1: Open "www.plizy.com" in another browser tab.

Step 2: Install the bookmarklet from the top right corner of the page 

Step 3: Browse to a web page with videos embedded....like this page! 

Step 4: Click the bookmarklet and click "add" to send it to Plizy to watch later. 

Enjoy!