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To: valuehunter who wrote (10962)	9/14/1999 11:06:00 AM
From: Carl R.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17679

Re: iSTYLE replacing TV on the Web, note that if you go to the FCC site exbtv.com there is a menu bar at the top of the screen that lists AENTV, TV1, iSTYLE, and TV on the Web. Thus I don't see any evidence that TV on the Web is disappearing. I just think it isn't going to get a new look for fall, and thus is not being "launched" this fall. The other channels are all getting either a new look, or a brand new release. I do agree that TV on the Web is being re-positioned, with a focus on the more profitable channels (and away from community TV), and that it will probably get a new look along the way. I doubt, however, that we will see substantial changes in it's look until the first of the year or so. One problem that TV on the Web had in the past was that it was going in a number of different ways at the same time. For example: 1. Wedcasting - This is an interesting concept, but hasn't really been pursued, other that doing one wedding. Perhaps we need a dedicated wedding channel, but it doesn't really fit into what TVoW is doing. 2. Live coverage of news events - There was also periodic coverage of big events and conferences - but TV on the Web wasn't really a news channel, so why spend the money to film all these events? A news channel might be a good idea, but TV on the Web is at a significant cost disadvantage to companies that already have reporters and cameras in the field all over the globe. 3. Community broadcasting - This they did pretty well, but I doubt that there was any profit in it. If they were bigger and more profitable, this might make a nice image-building addition. 4. Special Interest channels - In my opinion this is where they will re-focus, because this is where the major profit potential exists. Channels such as the Right Channel offer great potential to attract special interest views. Add some liberal channels such as Audubon Channel, the ACLU channel, the Greanpeace Channel, and the PETA channel. Then throw in some libertarian channels, and a few more conservative channels, and you have the makings of a whole political discussion channel. That sets the stage for some whopper special events involving moderated inter-channel debates. Financial discussion channels would also fit this format. 5. News release channels - Tomorrow's news today was just a news server. Frankly I wonder if there is any profit in it. Considering all the other places serving up the same news, I wonder what the point is? 6. Trade Association channels - Channels such as the shipping channel could be pretty nifty, but I suspect that most trade associations are pretty tight with their money. Also most can not see far enough to see the advantages. As I said, my trade association opted for a Listserve with a side chat channel. TV on the Web has tried a lot of things so far. Now it is time for them to use the knowledge they have gained to refocus on the fastest-growth, most profitable alternatives. I believe that the discussion channels are the best choices. The more of those they can put in one place, the more people will come. When you consider the location of TV on the Web, there should be no shortage of people around ready to discuss politics, so to me it's a natural. Carl