Monthly Archive for August, 2008

Gemini Division Wants You to Buy Microsoft

It seems NBC just can’t get enough of video streaming, and this past Monday, it launched a web-only TV series called Gemini Division. The sci-fi drama is to be broadcasted via the Internet over a span of 50 five-to-seven minute webisodes. Hollywood starlet Rosario Dawson stars as a cop who investigates the murder of her fiancé, which leads her into a global conspiracy involving “simulated life forms.”

This web-only show is a new experiment for the TV network. It seems that NBC wants to emulate the popularity of video series like that of LonelyGirl 15, but it doesn’t want to sink in millions of dollars into the process. As a result, the webisodes are a combination of live action and animation, which creates mixed results. Also, instead of implementing commercial interruptions (like on the free video streaming site Hulu), Gemini Division will have product placements from big companies like Microsoft and Acura.

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How Does Your Site Hold Up Against Gas Prices?

For months now, high gas prices have made headlines, spawned dozens of new sites that locate the cheapest stations, and changed the behavior of millions of Americans.

How? Well, for one, Americans are driving less despite recent drops in prices. This may be due to the higher transportation costs that hike up the prices of everyday goods found at the supermarket.

It also seems that higher gas prices are getting people to reconsider their vehicle purchases and residential location, cancel summer vacations, and… shop online!

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Offline or Online, This is How You Apologize to Customers

Here’s a short personal story for you. This week, I found myself pouting whenever I checked my mailbox (you know, the real-life metal one at my residence). Where were my beloved Netflix DVDs? I also noticed a complete lack of notifications from Netflix in my inbox. Usually, they keep me updated on which DVDs they received, and which should be on their way. But after I had sent my DVDs on Monday, I hadn’t heard a peep as of Thursday morning.

What was the deal here? I finally went to the Netflix site and I was treated to the following message:

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First Truly Online Olympics Nabs High Ratings

(Photo credit: Xu Jiajun/Xinhua)

The 2008 Beijing Olympics has been a huge milestone for the history of the international games: this year had the most online broadcast of the Summer Games ever. Olympic events have been shown on the web but never to this extent, making this year’s the first truly online Olympics ever.

And how well did NBC pull off the challenging multiplatform launch? Based on the ratings alone, it seems that it was a success, thanks in part to online video streaming.

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