Transitions

Tim Siglin reflects on his 25-year-long career as a writer, instructor, and consultant in the streaming industry along with his professional partnership with Eric Schu­macher-Rasmussen.

FAST and the Future of Streaming Monetization

FAST (free ad-supported television) is on the rise, but how can content distributors thrive in this very competitive landscape?

A Long Strange Trip

Eric Schumacher-Rasmussen reflects on recent unexpected changes in his life, including a surprising newfound appreciation for the Grateful Dead, and his thoughts on his long-time tenure as editor of Streaming Media now that he is moving on from the role.

Gear for the HyFlex Teaching and Learning Space

The name of the game for designing a hybrid classroom or meeting space is balancing inclusivity of the remote and on-premise audiences that a colleague sometimes refers to as the "zoomers" and "roomers," respectively. Here's a look at some gear that can help you achieve that balance.

Where Does Your Media Fit Into Web3?

Look beyond the hype and the monkeys. NFTs, blockchain, and other elements of the new decentralized web—Web3—have serious implications for video creators and publishers.

Long Live (A Different) DRM!

A blockchain-based, ledger-and-wallet approach promises a digital rights management that's just as effective as anything we have now, with the benefit of being more consumer-friendly.

Of Subscriptions and Submarines

What do Lewis Carroll, OTT subscriptions, and submarine power cables have in common? Read on!

When the Levee Breaks: The Origin of On-Demand Content

Herbert Morrison's stunning narration of the Hindenburg disaster marked the first time recorded audio was ever broadcast as breaking news. The indelible words "Oh, the humanity!" remind us that it's the content—not whether it's live or on-demand—that makes the difference.

Rotoscope with AI Assist

Want to give your video the look of the "Take on Me" video? Here are some tools and tips that will let you create a rotoscope version.

The Ad Tech Industry Needs to Tell a Better Story

Ad tech is driving billions of dollars in revenue every year. So why can't people understand what it is, how it works, and why they should care?

Help Others Stream

Those of us in the industry sometimes lose sight of the fact that billions of people around the world have never used the internet, much less connected on Zoom or watched The Mandalorian in 4K. Here's one way you can help streaming video reach those who don't have good connectivity.

We're All Video Distributors Now

One of the unheralded shifts spurred on by the COVID pandemic has been an increase in the number and types of organizations that are creating and distributing their own video content.

Career Lessons from Little Steven

Steven Van Zandt—aka Little Steven, aka Silvio Dante, aka Miami Steve—has never stayed in one place for long, and staying true to your personal muse is a lesson we'd all do well to remember.

How to Choose A Video Management System for Schools and Universities

So you need a new video management system (VMS) for your organization? Here are some suggestions for making sure your VMS doesn't compromise your school's or your students' data.

FuboTV Scores Big on Content Choice, Ad Load, and Revenue

Nadine Krefetz put fuboTV through the paces, and the sports-focused streaming service exceeded expectations.

Online Video Learning: Just as Good as In Person?

There's been a lot written about online educational video since the beginning of the pandemic, and the results are surprising, though far from conclusive.

Does Ad-Supported Streaming Actually Cost You More?

About one-third of users of ad-based streaming services click on and subsequently purchase items, according to Parks Associates. So maybe subscription is cheaper in the long run?

Get Back: Peter Jackson's 8-Hour Movie Suggests OTT Attention Spans Might Be Longer Than We Thought

Today, binge-watching is many people's favored mode of viewing. That's entirely our industry's doing (some might say fault), and it stands as a compelling counterpoint to the notion that we've devolved to the point where we're incapable of paying sustained attention to stories and storytellers.

The Greenest Codec: LCEVC

There's no doubt that LCEVC is a more efficient codec. But is it really going to make much of a difference in energy savings compared to other sustainability solutions?

Will OTT Consolidation Hamper Innovation?

The past 18 months have seen no shortage of mergers and acquisitions, and it has me wondering if all this consolidation will lead toward innovation. My gut says no, and plenty of industry pundits agree, but it could bring improvements to the customer experience.