This is not an industry comment, but a social one.  President Elect Obama posted and says his will continue to post his weekly address to the nation on YouTube, in addition to the traditional media.  I want to thank president elect Obama for his foresight and his understanding of “my generation.”   This is something that the lame-duck president in office has never understood.   Obama may relate to the internet generation because those who voted and supported overwhelmingly for him were part of it.  We may not all be young, but we definitely grew up with internet technology, email, IM, etc.   I don’t believe I have ever listened to or watch a weekly presidential address other than when it interrupted a regularly scheduled program, or there were highlights on Meet the Press or one of my other Sunday morning political programs.

Obama has embraced the new media and changed the game forever.  Not only will US citizens be watching this, but the world.  If Youtube is the platform, does that mean Google will also get a bail-out if it can’t find a way to make it profitable?   Will the FCC start regulating what can and can’t be said, watched, etc. on the Internet or will it stay self-regulated?  What will the television network do online?    When will the networks realize that they are not limited by their own content and start promoting other quality programing which is not just supplemental to what is available through traditional broadcasts?    Where are cutting room clips?   Where is the behind the curtain web show?

Networks, we want more of the same, but more creativity also.  It is hard to be creative in a slow economy, but just like for the start-ups, now is the time to make the time investment, which can have the new revenue streams ‘rushing’ once the money starts flowing again.

Update: AOL TW’s social network, Bebo will be featuring content other than their own in an area called Bebo originals.  At least one of the mega-media players are forward thinking.  Based on my cable service I would not have thought they were capable.  Maybe the dinasaurs will follow suit once they see the potential for profit.

Think of the internet right now like the minor leagues.  They still draw in the crowds, make money for the owners and it allows a way to develop the talent before they are needed in the majors.  I am not saying that the Internet is not a viable platform on its own, and it is, but just that it would be more effective with major media support and marketing.

TVWeek reported on a study done by Magna Global on DVR use, which says that there is a correlation between based on genre.   In research, there is almost always a correlation discovered.  That is research speak for saying that there might be a significance, but it can’t be proven.  It is a way of saying that the time and money doing the research was not completely wasted.   Correlations can be the basis for future research and this one surely will be studied.

What I would like to know is which networks are paying for the DVR studies?  Where are the bittorent and new media studies?  Why does it seem that the networks are way behind the curve as opposed to out in front?   It is true that the networks need to show addition CPMs to the advertisers because of the dwindling numbers, but do they really expect to get those numbers significantly from DVRs?  Granted, the last show I watched live was CNN on Tuesday night to see Obama’s win, but before that I can’t remmber.  Though,  I am a graduate student after all and don’t have much time for live TV.  Maybe it is the same with my entire generation.  I hope not, but it may be true.  Maybe it should be studied.  Maybe it already has been.  I have my thesis topic already, maybe I can research this one professionally.  Any takers?

There are whispers this week of impending doom in the economy as the Dow drops further from the high achieved earlier in the year.  There is always a light at the end tunnel, and there surely will be one here.

As television viewers tune in for economic updates, the political race, and some good drama and escapist programming, there is something else on my mind. 
How am I going to watch TV on February 17, 2009?

I have not made the leap yet to a big flat screen TV. There was a great post in Gizmodo on how to shop for an HDTV which got me thinking and now every time I look at the 10-year old Sony trinitron 20″ CRT lots of concerns go through my head.

1. Is the new TV going to match the apartment decor?
2. Are there going to be any 30 – 40 inch sets that are white or silver made with good design?
3. Can I see the white Sony television in person to see if it is really gray and a 3D drawing like it looks an their website?
4. Where will the Tiffany vase be stored that sits on top of the TV now?
5. Is the TV industry going to function like the computer industry where you will have to replace a $1000+ device every 2-4 years?
6. What kind of antenna will work in my southern facing LES, walk-in-closet size apartment?
7. Should I just give up and buy one of the converter boxes?  Is there a “good” one?

I may just give up and buy a big computer monitor and plug it into the custom tivo.  February is pretty far from now, but the Christmas shopping season just starting.  Any ideas?