A different perspective on the News Corp/NBC Uni deal

Its days like today that make me love the tech industry. No sooner than the news of the Fox/NBC video platform hit, tongues around the business wagged as if Paris and Nicole had reunited as friends and paparazzi were speeding behind them after they lunched at the Ivy. Gossip and opinions blazed across blogs, message boards lit up like the 101 in heavy traffic. The YouTube Killer! Fox/NBC Join Forces! It had all the trimmings of an Us Weekly drama (minus the stint in rehab). I love buzz as much as the next business girl, but let’s keep things into perspective.

The first thing that came to my mind was “why?’ Two big entities that could own the web alone if they were wise suddenly join forces…for what? I know there has to be a just cause (other competition? Cable companies?) but even my best guesses can’t seem to shake the this-really-isn’t-necessary feel of it. If two people in a garage can build something that’s now competing with them, two giants with plenty of investment capital should be able to do it without holding hands.

Not that it matters, really. Google’s got as much money as they do with a better handle on what’s now and what’s next, two things you need to survive in the market. Nobody knows the internet business like internet business, and that puts all of us – not just Google – at an advantage in the market. I’ve done production and believe me, they’ve got it to a money-making science, but when it comes to the web? I’m not convinced that they understand the user or the unique arena the web has created. Moves made by the topmost players from Hollywood somehow feel nervous and reactive, and they’re following versus leading – that’s the kind of stuff that’ll get you killed on the information highway.

In order for Hollywood to shake the IP channel, it needs to shake its dependency on ‘safe’ and proven process and trim away some of the fat that makes it slow to move and sluggish. All the lawsuits and aggressive moves at the helm mean little ship itself is too big to navigate the water and it’s probably the most heavy-laden industry I’ve ever worked in. Between the labyrinth of junior level assistants and middle handlers, it’s not a surprise that giant, creative companies dedicated to entertaining us are being kicked down by nobodies like LonelyGirl15. It’s not enough to have the interns pouring over YouTube clips to find what’s working – you need to have that kind of touch yourself.
 
News Corp bought into the web. Google/YouTube was built out of it and at the end of the day, that’s going to make a difference. This won’t be a battle of who has the most muscle or cash, but of who has the most wits. Google’s stock was at $450 a share today. News Corp? $24.75. So far, I’m putting my money on the geeks.

Editor's note: This article was provided by Patricia Handschiegel, Founder StyleDiary.net