Here is an unedited transcript of Saturday's Fireside Chat:
Sat Apr 03, 1999 04:25:53 PM n:hi
Dave Gardy:Please standby
Dave Gardy:Hi everyone. I have to confess, I'm not at the fieside in reston, Va. but at the oceanside in DelRay Beach, Fla. for Easter weekend. Its 85 degrees and sunny. Just finished a round of golf. Life is good a
thebarkingshark:who came with you ? i sq
thebarkingshark:i saw something on si about you going with ed bramson to play golf.
Dave Gardy:Wife Carolyn and daughter Sarah. Some sorely neede family time and then its back to work on Monday.Played golf with my father-in-law...let him beat me ,as usual. (just kidding) I heard the Ed Bramson golfing with me rumor. Wi***** was true. Today was my first round of golf since October
MikeOlds:Howdy, Out here in Sunny Calif, Sillycon Valley it's blowing like hell!
Dave Gardy:Correction (Wi***** was true.)
Dave Gardy:Wi***** was true
Dave Gardy:It isn't true.
thebarkingshark:i m in palms springs here now ,but i live in san diego
MikeOlds:Wishum
Dave Gardy:How's everyone doing? Any of you California types going to visit us at NAB?
markys:good evenin' Dave and all. geez am I the only one here in 40 degrees and cloudy
Dave Gardy:Where's that Markys?
MikeOlds:OK, down to the hard stuff D, is there some way we can put a value on each new chanel that gets signed up?
thebarkingshark:gonna try
thebarkingshark:to go
brian:Wish I could go to NAB Dave, but I'm cuttin myself off from Vegas for awhile.
markys:New England
brian:Will there be any major announcements at NAB ?
Dave Gardy:Channel underwriter fees run between $2500.00-$5,000 per month with one to five year contracts. The underwriter also gets discuounts on live events, but remember the real revenue is generated from the advertising, e-commerce, pay per view and subscription revenue streams which are sold within each community. In thet way , the underwriter derives a return on his investment.
markys:Dave, could you reflect on Ampex's investment and Ed B's "vision"?
Dave Gardy:Markys-I'm a Vermont boy myself. Brian, yes there will be several announcements and a very visible presence.
Dave Gardy:Ed has a vision. he just doesn't have the freedom to talk about it as e
Dave Gardy:as much as I do.
MikeOlds:What is the mechanism at work for counting eyeballs? Clicks? Sales?
thebarkingshark:will his vision take a long time to come to fruition?
hookjock:Dave do the company keep a count on how many vieweres log on to the live events?and also how many people access the stored webcasts?
Dave Gardy:Mikeolds-We are working with several logging programs to count the vast hits we get for the range of multi-media we offer. We have found through testing we're not always getting full credit for streaming hits. Doug Dougherty our engineer, is cuurently re-configuring our logging for customized support to TV onthe WEBd
MikeOlds:Are the revenue streams generated within each community variable--that is, does TVW get the same amount per click whatever channel, or are there different structures for each channel?
Dave Gardy:Shark. April will be a very important month for TV onthe WEB as it relates to everyone's vision
MikeOlds:April is the Coolest Month?
Dave Gardy:Hook-Yes.Mike olds -it varies proportionally with each channel.
brian:Regarding the 10-k, Ed B states that production houses are under way in NY and LA, and eventually all major cities in the US and world. Will these studios act as places for small businesses to come and film a "web-mercial" and then let Ampex stream it to their home page?
MikeOlds:Based on what?
seemore:Dave, are eyeballs the real meeasure or length of stays and what viewers do IE relook or buy. those video ads are impressive
Dave Gardy:Brian- Nice idea..can't comment
MikeOlds:Sorry, the revenue streams vary proportionally based on what?
Dave Gardy:Mikeolds- Look at the range in demographics of the channels, some will do more e-commerce, some more live events, some more pay per view training. Its a function of the niche and the underwriter.
IDLH98:Dave, When will you interview Ed Bramson Live ?
Dave Gardy:seemore-Exactly.."Stickiness and lenght of stay are in (We excel there) CPM's are out.
brian:Dave, any thoughts on Yahoo buying Broadcast.com for so much money?
Dave Gardy:IDLH98 I do that almost everyday..its just not public.
markys:CPM's?
MikeOlds:We're getting close to what I am trying to find out! So your cut is based on some sort of ratio between the type of events broadcast and the number of viewers?
hookjock:The general opinion is tat as the bandwidth problems continue to improve that more and more competition will emerge in the webcasting arena. Do you believe your early presence in the marketplace will aid you in your attempt to grow? Also do you envision as the competition grows your profits and margins may be squeezed?
Dave Gardy:Brian- That is an important event. We've been swamped with interest since that happened. Cuban did well for himself. It has important implications for us.bigg
brian:Swamped with interest from who? --other web portals??
Dave Gardy:Hook- good questions. We are the leaders in narrowcast and the web is a narrowcast medium. This streaming market is so new that we hold a charter and pioneering position with resources and assets noone can duplicate. Some of our upcoming channel announcements in April will clearly show from the magnitude of the underwriter how we have established ourselves and others are staking out their claims on our network early. Its even suprised me how quickly that's happened.dmmmuand always No
PM OraPos:hi everyone!!!
Dave Gardy:Brian-other major channel underwriters
thebarkingshark:hey oras
Dave Gardy:Hey orapos.
OraPos:Dave, How about another advertising icon on the bottom of the frontpage of TVW? I see TVW has put one on the top.
Dman:Hi Dave and all. Based on the number of live events and new ads, can I assume you had good results in Feb and March?
Dave Gardy:What, did everyone go for a beer at the same time?
hookjock:Dave ,is it your opinion that the underwriters see a real tangable benifit from opening up a "channel" or do you envision most of these channels to be a loss for the underwriters but it gives them valuable exposure to a new audience?
IDLH98:A beer is a good idea, I'll be right back.
Dave Gardy:Orapos, oman, Feb March revenue and traffic numbers were met. The increase in advertising is a result of that.
OraPos:hi curiouswalker, thebarkingshark and everyone else
OraPos:Dave, What happen to the Melatia Cable deal?
Dave Gardy:Hook-both...they see it as establishing themselves as the first sposor of a tv channelin that niche market..its real estate on an active site.s-
Dow18k:Think I'll grab one of home brewed beers, sit back and learn!
OraPos:Sorry, Melita is spelled like this.
MikeOlds:I just got bumped "Network Connection Broken" and now half the dialogue is missing, is there some way to retrieve this?.
IDLH98:Dave, to your knowledge has PSINet evaluated Ampex equipment
curiouswalker:Sorry about the logging in and out, having system problems--what's been going on here? //aspirin
brian:Dave--any comments on the new domain registrations TVontheWeb recently made? Also, is the Hotel Video Guide site presently under construction TVonthe Web's own or are you working for someone else and just going to handle the streaming video?
seemore:Dave --- your openning this direct dialog is unique for CEO's Can the channel underwriter's chairman or director conduct these type of sessions for their members with video?
Dave Gardy:Sorry I just had the same problem. Melita is imminent. Slowed sown by their independence day and good friday in a 98% catholic country. Stay tuned. The MOU has been finalized
Dman:Dave, what is the strategic importance of the geographic location of GMG in VA and the new facilities to come in LA and NYC. Does it come down to the fact that although this is a global medium, advertisng is best when localized?
Dave Gardy:IDLH 98-in process
curiouswalker:I just had a terrible experience at the Post Office today filing out Certified Mail forms--the U.S. Post Office needs a Help Channel for us ignorant taxpayers, we the people will underwrite it //haha
Dow18k:Dave, I've heard a rumor that TVontheWeb may be establishing an auction channel with live video and audio for Bid.com. Yes/No? //beer
Dave Gardy:Oman-April will be a month that will help explain-Stay tuned at NAB.
Dave Gardy:No. Not to my knowledge, although we have a lot of deals in the works.
thebarkingshark:dave i mentioned this the last time we were here i have icq its a chat program on the new icq 99 they have a feature for saving the chat and replaying it anytime one wants to do so it plays it back at the same speed it was recorded at can you see about putting such features in here?and also a copy and paste option
OraPos:Dave, can you post the entire fireside chat because some members have to work like diphenhydramine from the yahoo board
Dave Gardy:Dow 18k- my last message was to you.
Dman:Thanks. I'll be patient.
Dave Gardy:shark-I'll talk to ken about that good idea.
Dave Gardy:Yes it will be posted by Monday
PM Dave Gardy:seemore-yes the underwrites have this caht service available to their CEO's on their channel.
Dman:Dave, what reactions have you had, if any, from folks in over the air broadcasting mediums?
MikeOlds:In the previous fireside chat you mentioned the PR group getting into gear. I would just like to say that it at least appears that it has started to get some mentions here and there. Tellum we're grateful!
IDLH98:Dave, what do you think about the Yahoo/Broadcast.com deal
curiouswalker:Dave--I was serious about the Post Office needing a Video Channel--will improve their productivity and help us too. Could be a BIG Account!
Dave Gardy:Some get it . Some don't. Recently we had a famous national news reporter come to us with ideas because he sees the writing on the wall. The neilsens are just too ominous. Some will never admit it.
hookjock:Can you expound upo what kind of timframe you are working ubnder until we do see a noticable improvement in bandwidth ,video quality and smoother viewing?
Dave Gardy:last message to OMAN
Dave Gardy:hook-its happening everyday, depending on your geography. There's a reason Yahoo coughed up 5.7 billion for Broadcast.com . the bandwidth is arriving.
IDLH98:Dave, do you own shares of Ampex??????
Dman:Dave, very cool. I have worked on Wall Street for over 20 years and time's are a changing there and a lot of people don't get it.
Dave Gardy:Mike Olds- you ain't seen nothing yet . Wait for April.
hookjock:So you see improvements happening on a regular basis and not making big leaps?
Dow18k:Dave, will TVW broadcast any pro, college sports, olympics?
Dave Gardy:Curious- good idea, Ken's taking notes
curiouswalker:Do you happen to know the kind of bandwidth that the proposed Ampex Network need?
Dave Gardy:Dow18k- We are currently working on a youth sports channel-stay tuned.
MikeOlds:Dow18K? is AXC going to be in it?
Dave Gardy:HOOK- That is the nature of the intenet but the pace is accelerating exponentially.
OraPos:dave, can you tell Ampex & Reiter, they need to update their frontpage. it is Dead & Old
hookjock:Dave as long as you want ideas for channels a "mothers" channel would be a great idea. Find a formula or womens product as an underwriter and they could market to a great demographic. New mothers are a vacuum for new information and products.
Dave Gardy:idlh98- The yahoo /broadcast.com question is an important one. Again, I stress it has huge implications for us.This will become apparent shortly.
markys:IPO?
MikeOlds:The Gerber Network
Dave Gardy:hook-its underway. stay tuned for annoucments in women's/med towards May.
Dow18k:Dave, have you gotten any cross referrals from AMPEX/Reiter? The one that comes to mind might be the Public Braodcasting System (PBS) as AXC is selling them tecnology.
Dave Gardy:Markys-good question.huge question. Where are you from in new England?
hookjock:Great. That channel will be a huge success if you can get the word out.
Dave Gardy:Hook- Women/children are also the base demographic for Malta.
MikeOlds:So they are the test market?
markys:Tuned in , in Mass
Dman:Dave, re the recent Trimark/Broadcast deal, some of the issues and obstacles there concerned licensing conflicts to be worked out. Your business model seems to avoid having to license content. Do you see obstacles in the future?
curiouswalker:What speeds will you be broadcasting with in Malta, given the fiber infrastructure they have?
Dave Gardy:Malta will be a catalyst for the future of on-dman TV. Its got huge bandwidth(fiber to the curb and from digital starage to demographic-targeted channel content will open up major doors.
Dave Gardy:curious-100-200-500K
brian:Will Ampex be a part of the forthcoming Malta announcement, or will it be a TVontheWeb only type of operation?
thebarkingshark:do you see tvontheweb ipo d in the next 3 months?
hookjock:Dave you need Ampex because you needed cash. Do you anticipate that once the infastruture is in place your capital expendatures will become more in line with sales. Or is the medium such that as technical innovations arrive you will have to adopt them to stay even/ahead of the competition. Just wondering if your idea can ever become a real profitable enterprise.
curiouswalker:Digital Storage--do you mean AXCBackUp.Com type of digital storage?
Dave Gardy:Brian - HMMM. Can't comment
Dow18k:What, if any AXC technology is TVW utilizing at this time? Future?
OraPos:Dave, @ NAB, don't forget to interview representatives from AXC & MicroNet
IDLH98:Dave, if you could state the future of Ampex in one word........
Dave Gardy:shark- Can't comment- But I must say some of the analysis I've seen on the boards is right on target. If you think about it hard enough there is a logical answer concerning an IPO. I just can't comment.hink if you
Dave Gardy:IDLH98 - Juggernaut
OraPos:is there any current plan AEN? AEN has been quiet lately
brian:I like "juggernaut"
Dave Gardy:AENTV is a greta operation. Stay tuned.
Dave Gardy:Orapos-already being arranged.
markys:Dave, NAB "interviews" with Micronet & Ampex. Can't wait
OraPos:Can we be the First BUY TVW stock. i would be honored
MikeOlds:Re brian's comment, we had some discussion about AXC's reflected glory in TVonthe Web's publicity. Do you see any problem with AXC putting out releases with essentially the same information, but but from the viewpoint of AXC? "Ampex announces its TVW sub signs up xxx"?
curiouswalker:2nd Post-Do you mean AXCBackup.Com type of Digital Storage for Malta?
MikeOlds:Dow18K I don't know how to send a private message.
IDLH98:I'm getting another beer
S Dave Gardy:Hook- There's no question in my ming that we'll be profitable. As opposed to Broadcast .com, we'll implement our model.
Dave Gardy:Mike olds- good idea. If you want to do a private message, just click on the person's name to the right.
Dave Gardy:curious. Hmmm. can't comment.
Dave Gardy:IDLH98- me too.
curiouswalker:I understand--was hoping you would say that some of the posts have been right on target about that one too!
OraPos:Is TVW advertising on newspaper? i heard someone saw something about TVW advertisment
curiouswalker:I think we all should move to Malta--or at least chip in for Time-Share Condo there-fully equipped for our Viewing Pleasure!
Dave Gardy:Curious-I've been there...its beautiful.
hookjock:Dave,concerning the NAB. What benifits do you expect to gain by attending? I know the Producers channel will be webcasting but do you anticipate making business contacts and creating awareness ofTVonthe Web?
curiouswalker:When I finally sell my TVW stock, I;ll take my huge profits and move there!
Dave Gardy:Orapos-its just beginning. It takes time to do effective PR, time I recognize we don't have. But April will be very interesting.
Dow18k:OraPos: American City Business Journals
markys:Dave is there any chance at all that any future annual meetings will be narrowcast?
brian:Dave--what do you think about online "document banks" and the recent announcement from IBM that they will backup (over the internet) desktop computers for 20$ a month? Do you think Reiters take advantage of this oppertunity?
Dave Gardy:hook-NAB itself is in a major stage of transition. The Sands Convemtion center has all the hot acts. Internet, Multimedia , etc. We wouldn't be where we were if we weren't active at NAB last year. This year the "broadcasters" will discover "narrowcasting".ubr
curiouswalker:My cat just jumped up on my lap--which reminds me to suggest an "Animal Psychologist Channel"--Animal lovers would flock to it---it could be fully interactive.
Dave Gardy:Markys-If I was chairman of a public company, I would narrowcast the annual meetings. Maybe someday I will be.
IDLH98:Dave, your disaster channel is hurting alittle. Contact a local Fire Department and speak with their Training Officer for Ideas. The next wave in the Fire Service is NBC's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical weapons
Dow18k:Dave, how is TVW's cash flow position and are there any burn rates that you could share?
Dave Gardy:curious-Ken, that's hot please note it.
IDLH98:FEMA may be a good sponsor for the channel
MikeOlds:Can we lookforeward to that narrowcast annual meeting, say next year?
OraPos:i really like to see narrowcasting of earning reports & annual meeting. all shareholders and potential investor will attend.
curiouswalker:I don't see how Ampex can afford to NOT broadcast its Annual Meeting this year and expect to sign up other corporations!
IDLH98:without saying goodbye
Dow18k:Perhaps a system problem?
OraPos:where's Dave?
IDLH98:maybe to many beers
Dow18k:Cyberbeers for all!
MikeOlds:Slipped under the table
curiouswalker:Guess I asked one too many questions!
Dave Gardy:I'm here. Sarah, my dAUGHTER PULLED OUT THE NETWORK CONNECTION! I guess its time to go. I can take hint
markys:Oh , we thought it was your lawyer!
MikeOlds:Great Talk Dave! Thanks!
Dow18k:Markys -- ROFLOL
OraPos:thanks dave, i will study for my college class now
Dow18k:Thanks all!
curiouswalker:OraPos--I didn't get to respond to your Hello--good to see you here!
Bari:Thanks for letting me listen Dave
thebarkingshark:later dave lets do this again soon, ok?
curiouswalker:Have a Happy Easter Everyone!
S IDLH98:The regrets in life are not that you did not spend more time at work they are usually that you did not spend enough time with your family. Thanks Dave
markys:Thanks again Dave //thumbsup
Dave Gardy:Sorry, everyone. I've got to go. All I can say is Yahoo paid 5.7 billion for a reason. We're all on the same team. Things just don't always happen as fast a everyone would like. Its happening now...stay tuned. Happy Easter.
tonyc:Thanks Dave, interesting listening, have a nice holiday
Dow18k:Go TVW, Go AXC, Go Reiter! //megafone
phillytown:I have just tuned in. Sorry to be late. It looks like Dave stayed late, though.
phillytown:Was anyone here earlier? If so, how many people were logged in?
plymie:Any transcript available of the earlier chat?
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