Have you ever sat through an advertisement before being able to watch that super cool, totally in-the-moment viral video on YouTube, and thought “Man, I really need that [insert random item you probably don’t need]?” No? Okay, but in case that ever is you, Google wants to ensure it’s as easy as possible for you to make a purchase right then and there. [More]
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Soon You’ll Be Able To Easily Buy The Stuff Showcased In Ads Played Before YouTube Videos
By 5.22.15
YouTube Kids Accused Of Running Beer Ads, Crotch-Grabbing Lessons, Wine-Tasting Tips
By 5.19.15
Since Google launched the YouTube Kids app in February, the service has come under fire from consumer advocates for its advertising practices. Now, instead of focusing on the commercials shown through the service, several of those same groups are raising concerns with federal regulators over what they call disturbing and potentially harmful content for young children to view. [More]
Warner Music Is Totally Cool With Streaming Music Now That It’s Making More Money Than Song Downloads
By 5.12.15
Once seen as the knife that would slay the music industry, it seems the popularity — and profitability — of streaming music is making some labels change their tune. Warner Music Group said revenue from streaming music has passed that from digital downloads for the first time. [More]
Turns Out Kids Can React On Camera To New Technology As Well As Weird Old Stuff
By 5.4.15
The Internet just loves it when kids are put on camera reacting with things, but it seems we are not content to find out how children behave when faced with Walkmans and cameras that use film, but words also come out of their mouths at the sight of shiny, new technology. Who knew? [More]
Report: DOJ Has An Eye On Apple As It Makes Moves To Push Free Streaming Music Rivals Out Of The Way
By 5.4.15
Let’s be honest: It would be ideal for a business if it could somehow snap up every customer looking for a certain service. But because we (thankfully) live in a world filled with choices, companies instead must compete with rivals to get our hard-earned dollars. A new report says Apple is preparing to debut its new streaming music service by trying to put the squeeze on competitors like Spotify that offer content for free. [More]
Guy Pours Molten Aluminum Into Watermelon Because He Knew We Couldn’t Resist Watching The Video
By 4.30.15
There is no question we never fail to answer in this Internet age, and it’s, “What’s gonna happen next?” We have to know. We were born needing to know. And so of course, we must click a button and find out what could possibly occur when some guy pours molten aluminum into a watermelon and films it. [More]
Watch The Very First YouTube Video, Uploaded 10 Years Ago Today
By 4.23.15
It might be hard to remember a time when getting one’s mug on the Internet involved more than just point, shoot and upload, but it was only 10 years ago that we came stumbling out of the Dark Ages and into the light of web videos for all, where we promptly posted whatever the heck we wanted to YouTube for strangers to watch. To that end: The first video ever uploaded, 10 years ago today, features thrilling commentary on the nature of elephants. [More]
“Batman v Superman” Trailer Leaks Online
By 4.17.15
While the trailer for next year’s superhero showdown Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is supposed to be kept under wraps in the U.S. until after its IMAX premiere on Monday, a handheld video of the trailer has already made its way online. [More]
YouTube Will Let Viewers Watch Videos Ad-Free For A Monthly Fee
By 4.9.15
If your dream is watch hours upon hours of animals from different species being best friends without the insistent interruption of ads, you are within reach of that reality — if you’re willing to cough up a payment every month to YouTube. [More]
YouTube Kids App Accused Of Deceptive, Excessive Advertising
By 4.7.15
It’s only been a few weeks since Google launched its YouTube Kids app targeted at the youngest Internet users, and it’s already taking heat from consumer advocates who are asking federal regulators to investigate whether the service’s advertising practices run afoul of the law. [More]
Would You Pay To Watch Video From YouTube Stars Before Everyone Else Gets It For Free?
By 3.24.15
We want what we want, when we want it — but that doesn’t always mean we’re willing to pay for it if we can get it for free later on down the line. One company is betting that some fans of certain popular YouTube stars won’t be so patient, and will be willing to shell out the cash to gain access to some content before everyone else. [More]
Musician Says Universal Music Has Hijacked His YouTube Videos With Bogus Copyright Claims
By 3.17.15
UPDATE: Shortly after posting this story, Mr. Lynne updated his original Facebook note to say that he was eventually able to get UMG to release its claim to his clip via an “Appeal,” which is a step above the “Dispute” process that had failed him earlier. [More]
YouTube Launching New Kid-Friendly App With Original Episodes Of Popular Children’s Shows
By 2.20.15
YouTube, long geared toward people ages 13 and over, plans to cater to an even younger crowd with an upcoming kid’s app that will provide original episodes of popular children’s show like Sesame Street and Reading Rainbow. [More]
Google & NFL Strike Deal To Bring NFL Content To YouTube
By 1.26.15
Just in time for the Super Bowl this weekend, the National Football League has decided to play nice and share with others, announcing a partnership with Google this week that will bring game highlights to a YouTube channel and search results. [More]
Will People Pay Vessel $3/Month For More Professional YouTube Videos?
By 1.21.15
YouTube’s playlists are full of amateur and mostly amateurish video clips, which is fine because almost everything on YouTube is free. But there are also plenty of high-quality content producers posting videos on YouTube, some of whom are being paid handsomely for it. While such clips may add an air of professionalism to YouTube, will consumers be willing to pay $2.99/month for a service that curates the best of the web? [More]
JetBlue Refuses Boarding To YouTube Semi-Celebrity After He Unleashes Twitter Followers
By 12.3.14
For better or worse, we live in an age where a new breed of Internet sorta-celebrity can threaten to unleash the power of their social media following on any person or business they don’t like. That’s what happened last week when a YouTube personality with several hundred thousand fans got upset about a fee for changing his JetBlue ticket. But after using his Twitter followers to hassle the airline, he found himself blocked from boarding his flight home. [More]
Activision Going After YouTubers Who Post Call Of Duty Glitch, Exploit Videos
By 11.24.14
Video Game clips make up a sizable chunk of the most popular content on YouTube, and its becoming easier and easier for gamers to share short videos online, and game publishers rarely try to flex their copyright muscle to get clips taken down because they know it’s good publicity. Someone failed to tell this to Activision, which has been flagging Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare videos, but only those that highlight that the game has flaws. [More]
YouTube Launches Subscription Service Called Music Key At Promo Price Of $7.99 Per Month
By 11.12.14
Google said it was building it, and now it’s come: YouTube launched a new video subscription service called Music Key today, at an initial price of $7.99 per month for the beta offering. That fee keeps the ads away for users who are sick of sitting through commercials before watching content. [More]
