If you really want to understand the massive impact that online
video is only beginning to bring to the media industry, it's important to go
right to the prime audience - the teens that are not only consuming online
entertainment, but creating it as well.
18 year-old Noah is a freshman in college. He's both an enthusiastic member of the
vlogging audience, and an occasional vlogger himself (he's Knowahsark on
YouTube). In many ways he's
typical of the more media savvy of
his generation. Like many
of his friends, he's found YouTube content more attractive than typical
television fare. He's also a new
perspective that's likely keeping traditional media executives awake at night.
"I definitely think YouTube videos / online media is more
appealing," he says, "and that might have to do with growing up with
the internet, around the internet. I mean I've been online, on MySpace and
Zynga, those sort of things since 5th grade. And so I think that might play a part, but I think just
seeing what other people can create without...big
television networks and crews and that sort of thing - people can create their
own content, which I find just as, if not more entertaining than what's on TV.
For instance, like, I've been watching the VlogBrothers for years now (which
sounds really weird to say). I just find it so much more engaging and
interactive and you feel more a part of it, I guess."
