It’s been a busy TV news week. Here are some stories we were keeping our eyes on, for you weekend reading breaks.
1) Kids these days. Just when you think you finally figured out Snapchat and Periscope, there’s a new platform everyone’s talking about. Business Insider has the scoop on YouNow, a livetreaming platform that has teens streaming themselves sleeping, or singing covers of Taylor Swift. Before you groan, know that it has over 150,000 streams a day and 100 million user sessions. The main difference between YouNow and mobile streaming apps like Meerkat and Periscope is the interaction between viewers and streamers. Business Insider reports that about 70% of YouNow users are under the age of 24. Another twist? Fans can “tip” performers, with real money. YouNow takes a cut and doesn’t plan on introducing ads just yet. From Buzzfeed:
If you really like them, you can tip them with points purchased with real money through the app, and the performer gets real money as a tip. YouNow’s revenue model is based completely around the tipping system; they take a cut of the in-app purchases when fans buy points to tip the performers. It’s basically like an open-mic night where the hat is passed around: Some people will watch for free, some will toss a dollar in, and the house takes a cut at the end of the night.
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2) Spotify is getting into the video business. According to the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times on Thursday, it’s in very early talks with media companies like NBC Universal, Vice, and Viacom, among others. A move into video content would make its competition with other video platforms like YouTube, Vessel, Snapchat, and especially Apple, which is reportedly launching a music streaming service next month. But most importantly, it keeps users on Spotify, instead of hopping around the web for video clips of their favorite jams.
3) If you need something to watch onNetflix, let it be Grace and Frankie, according to the Decider. And Slate, where June Thomas advises getting past the cliche ridden pilot and into watching Sam Waterson, Martin Sheen, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin in a twist on the odd couple trope. If nothing else, it seems like a very good way to get your mother to realize the potential behind that Netflix button on their smart remote.