Is the Writer’s Strike Changing the TV and Online Video Landscape Permanently?

By David Walker | January 15th, 2008 (0) Comments

The protracted WGA strike has certainly sent waves across the TV and movie industry, as intended. But is this strike – whose main point of contention is royalties off of online distribution – changing the entire landscape of both TV and online videos? It would appear so, as NewTeeVee reports that a group of striking writers are attempting to launch their own online video company.

The company, whose current name is “Virtual Artists,” is intended to be a production and distribution company. Except, rather than delivering their produced content via theaters or televisions, they intend to deliver their media directly to the consumer via the internet. They also want to give opportunities to “…some kid..who has a real gift for storytelling…” although the intention is to target WGA members primarily. The company intends to “foster communities” around what it produces, eliciting feedback from viewers in the process.

What’s even more interesting is that Virtual Artists will not be the only company doing this. Other companies – formed by striking writers – are also in the works.

Until now, YouTube and its siblings have been driven by user-supplied content or clips from popular TV shows or movies. Professionally produced content is still rather rare, although the line between professional content and amateur content blurs ever more with each passing day. But, if these companies are serious, and the strike continues on, we may see a day where sites like YouTube are overrun with content written by former Hollywood writers. Rather than seeing some random Joe on YouTube, you may begin to see stars (or B-listers) appear in online shows or movies. This trend has already started somewhat with Will Ferrell’s own funnyordie website.

With the major studios apparently unwilling to give in to WGA demands, TV is about to be overrun by a plethora of reality shows and reruns. This will surely drive viewers away in droves and send them seeking original content elsewhere. The irony is the WGA is making the moves now to position themselves to be where viewers will go, while it is their very own strike that is sending them there.

Should these companies find a way to produce exceptional content that can be attained online, what’s to stop Apple (or others) from making deals with these companies to distribute their content to end-users for them? What’s to prevent local stations from making deals with these outlets, completely bypassing their network obligations?

The fact that we’re able to ask these questions brings home the point that the change has already begun. The WGA strike may end up being the catalyst that brings all of these developments together to form the perfect storm that will change TV and online video distribution forever.

Image Credit: Flickr User Sushiesque

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