European Web 2.0 - GDB TV And Mobile

Posted on August 9, 2006
Filed Under Channels and Content, Companies, Content Co-Creation, European Web 2.0 |

GDB Television is a UK based provider of technologies that allow users to set up TV channels easily and cheaply.

Like vpod (see last post), the channels can deliver to PSP, Windows enabled mobile devices and of course the Internet and television sets.

Two is not a crowd but is this becoming a crowded market, and if so what kind of shake-out can we expect?

GDB and Vpod join ventures like Hipcast and of course the clip monsters like YouTube.

Then there are companies such as narrowstep which lacks the GDB, Vpod flexibility but which has already carved out a huge set of niche channels.

GDB has put its early efforts into developing or supporting ultra-local television channels.

The first GDB channel to go mobile is Brighton TV. Brighton is a UK South Coast town that’s attracted a heavy contingent from the London media scene. It’s known for its artistic, creative lifestyle.

Brighton TV is created by local residents but of course these residents have media experience and those that don’t are in a creative hub.

GDB was set up by Jim Deans who has a background in local television programming.

This emphasis on local puts GDB in a different division from vpod. I think it also casts a different light on the YouTube, MySpace monsters.

GDB has several local channels up and running, with commitment from local communities showcasing local creative artists.

The intervention of a MySpace and YouTube in the life of local TV is that the upload/clip monster becomes little more than a publicity medium for local initiatives looking for a broader market, or to consolidate local markets.

Indeed, recently I was interviewing Dan Myrick of Blair Witch Project fame. Dan is using MySpace to publicise his last web TV series. In other words he will use the MySpace buzz to boost the buzz around his own creative products.

No doubt too cleverly selected clips will appear on YouTube.

There’s no doubt that video channel creation as an infrastructure and technology business is crowded.

GDB has the benefit of providing users with a low cost base and promoting local affinity and a ready market.

My own guess is that the ultimate winners in these areas will be companies that fuse local with international appeal, creating micro and macro markets out of their content; and in order to do that they need to go beyond entertainment and make a difference to the changes people are makig to their lives.

It also shows that the future audio-visual market will bring in a wide range of compeition. GDB promotes products that will compete for local newspaper advertising and classifieds.

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