Finally someone has taken our advice and started displaying premium content via Flash video with embedded ads. As I
have said in this space before, content
providers need only create Flash based video content to distribute their stuff to viewers and then they can grab the
largest online viewing audience of any video app. Larger than Windows Media Player, larger than Quicktime, larger than
all other video types.
ABC has created and released a new Flash based video player for four of its shows that embeds video with non-skippable ad content from AT&T. Users can choose from four differenct shows (Desperate Housewives, Lost, Commander and Chief, and Alias) and view content in each with sponsor advertisments within.
Screenshots and more after the jump.
In each segment of the show the viewer can skip to any point before the ad. This forces the user to view
your sponsor's content. Plus most users don't mind having to deal with a few ads to get better access to better content
in more places.
The Player also lets viewer choose between all available shows while viewing the current show. This way you can choose what you want to see without having to leave your current choice. Plus short show descriptions are included so you don't have to leap before you look. Apparently all of the current season of Alias is available for work day viewing.
Shows are in wide screen format and use the high quality view codec from On2. Since shows are broken up into pieces surrounding ads, load times should be minimal.
While watching a show the user can also click on the faded show titles surrounding the video and skip to that show's current video.
Now if the other content providers would wake up and do the same thing life would be easier (I'm yelling at you AP, MTV, Comedy Central, etc).
1. Why are you so happy? Adding ads is good for advertisers, but not for user (like me). It breaks the law in my humble opinion
Posted at 3:34PM on May 1st 2006 by Aniac