Will writers’ strike drive up web video views?

The Washington Post’s Paul Farhi notes that the Hollywood writer’s strike may have an interesting unintended consequence:

Here’s a lovely irony of the Hollywood writers’ strike: In the name of winning a bigger share of revenue from the sale of TV shows over the Internet, TV writers could wind up driving viewers to the Web in search of original online video.

Darn right it will. Further, it’s going to hurt the locals because the lead-ins are going to have lousy ratings. But there is an opportunity for the locals. Take the extra time to create original, local content. People will be out there shopping for new and interesting stuff. Don’t repurpose – have a purpose.