Google Video Features Free Ad-Supported Content
on Mediaweek
by Mike Shields, June 26, 2006
Google has begun featuring free ad-supported content on Google Video for the first time as part of what the company is calling a pilot test.
Since it launched back in January, Google Video has operated as something of a combination of iTunes and YouTube, with advertising playing little role. The Web site sells individual episodes of shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigations and MacGyver for $.99 each, while also serving as platform for both posting and viewing a wide variety of user generated content which is viewable for free.
Now, Google says it is testing a program which allows advertisers to bid on individual "premium" videos to run a 15-to-30-second ad at the end of these clips. Users can watch this select content for free via a prominently displayed "Free Today" section on the site's home page. In addition, participating advertisers are able to run a persistent icon and text link that lives above the video screen as these clips are played - of the "this video was made possible by" variety.
As of June 23, a handful of big name advertisers had signed on to participate in the test. HP was sponsoring nearly hour-long interviews from The Charlie Rose Show, and Burger King was sponsoring seven minute clips from the 1960s cartoon Felix the Cat. In addition, LowerMyBills.com was sponsoring a instructional video on installing a shower pan liner from AsktheBuilder.com.
While advertisers are stepping forward, it remains to be seen whether viewers will gravitate to Google's free video content, which could hardly be described as A-List. In addition to the Rose interviews and Felix the Cat clips, Google is offering footage from the USA Rugby Super League, classic movie clips from Charlie Chaplin and Jesse James films, snippets of the old cartoon Mister Magoo, and a selection from the film Hong Kong Hatchet Men.
Google has yet to announce just how long this test will last, and whether more content will be added to the site's free section.
read more on this topic "Google's Action and Video Ad Tests"
by Mike Shields, June 26, 2006
Google has begun featuring free ad-supported content on Google Video for the first time as part of what the company is calling a pilot test.
Since it launched back in January, Google Video has operated as something of a combination of iTunes and YouTube, with advertising playing little role. The Web site sells individual episodes of shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigations and MacGyver for $.99 each, while also serving as platform for both posting and viewing a wide variety of user generated content which is viewable for free.Now, Google says it is testing a program which allows advertisers to bid on individual "premium" videos to run a 15-to-30-second ad at the end of these clips. Users can watch this select content for free via a prominently displayed "Free Today" section on the site's home page. In addition, participating advertisers are able to run a persistent icon and text link that lives above the video screen as these clips are played - of the "this video was made possible by" variety.
As of June 23, a handful of big name advertisers had signed on to participate in the test. HP was sponsoring nearly hour-long interviews from The Charlie Rose Show, and Burger King was sponsoring seven minute clips from the 1960s cartoon Felix the Cat. In addition, LowerMyBills.com was sponsoring a instructional video on installing a shower pan liner from AsktheBuilder.com.
While advertisers are stepping forward, it remains to be seen whether viewers will gravitate to Google's free video content, which could hardly be described as A-List. In addition to the Rose interviews and Felix the Cat clips, Google is offering footage from the USA Rugby Super League, classic movie clips from Charlie Chaplin and Jesse James films, snippets of the old cartoon Mister Magoo, and a selection from the film Hong Kong Hatchet Men.
Google has yet to announce just how long this test will last, and whether more content will be added to the site's free section.
read more on this topic "Google's Action and Video Ad Tests"
posted by Gripplly at
11:56
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