Should TV sites have better video?

Submitted by yelvington on January 11, 2006 - 5:46pm

Lost Remote discovers that the New York Times has video and asks: "As television folks, shouldn’t our online video be better than that of our print brethren?"

Ignoring the fact that the Times has other video projects, I have to say: No. Because Web video isn't TV. And great video is about great storytelling, not mastery of technology. That has to begin with a great story to tell. Honestly, does anyone think local TV stations have great content?

I'm not trying to bait TV people with that remark. I just want to focus attention on the fact that this is about journalism, not the toys and tools we use to do the work.

Actually, the New York Times video page -- powered by Feedroom -- isn't where you'll find their best video offerings; the really great stuff is the Nick Kristof/Naka Nathaniel projects that I suppose will be disappearing behind the TimesSelect premium-content wall.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 6, 2006 - 10:55pm

I'd have to disagree with your comment about the best Times video stuff being off the player. The original stories I've seen in the player are excellent. At least some of them are. The Times is beating the networks in original Web video as far as I'm concerned.

Submitted by Melinda Gipson on March 21, 2006 - 2:05pm

Just a "head's up" for newspaper folks on the Y. Rich Tanner, senior producer of the NYTimes Web Video Unit will be offering a short talk at NAA's "Digital Living Room" at NEXPO at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 1. Topic: "Working with Print Reporters to Enhance Their Reporting with Video." Seems to me there's a lesson buried in this title. On the Web, it's not really about BECOMING a broadcaster. If I wanted blow-dried helmet hair I'd have gone INTO broadcasting. On the Web, it's about telling engaging stories, and -- let's face it -- video well done can be more engaging than text alone. Will all reporters add this to their storytelling arsenal? I'm really anxious to hear what he has to say.

Submitted by Radu Atesti (not verified) on April 12, 2006 - 10:18pm

It's would also be good to look at some of good original video the washington post is doing. I catched one from my country, Romania, done the Eastern Europe correspondent of the washington post, Kevin Sullivan and Travis Fox, who seems to do the video. Here's the link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2006/02/28/VI20060228...