Apparently NBC is going to be adding some Myspace-esque social networking capabilities, fully available this summer. Only one thought came to mind when I read this: “Why???”
Is jumping on new technologies really going to help NBC online? I kind of doubt it. Here’s why:
1. Yet again we have a media company wanting to “do it all.” It never ends up pretty.
2. Why try compete with major social networks like Myspace, when you can easily use their built-in audiences to your advantage (a la Fox)?
I doubt NBC is going to be able to adjust their image from “TV giant” to “social network” even on a small scale. Besides, from a users perspective, who the hell would waste time setting up profiles and “fan sites” about just NBC shows, when you can do the same things on current social networks where you already have a large network (especially if NBC’s adding viral video capabilities, where they can be used elsewhere anyway)? Not sensing enough forethought on this one… but hey, if you’ve got money to blow, why not?
It’s not like it sounds all bad… just not quite that “good” either.
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Very interesting. I do wonder what NBC is going to bring “new” to the table in terms of content besides offering video. I do think it will be somewhat successful, mostly because of NBCs status and reach it has. For example, in the article it mentions some 27million streams. Wow.