Forum plug in Sailing Today

[Christian Williams]

So, sailing videos on YouTube are now being reviewed by outlets such as Sailing Today in the UK. Yet another indication of how communication is changing.

It's a far cry from when there were three networks and HBO. Many of the more than 200,000 viewers of my little Hawaii video watched it on YouTube in a way that has profound implications for commercial TV: They "turn on" YouTube on laptop, plasma screen, or iPhone and watch "channels". There are few ads. There is no cost. I pay nearly $150 a month for satellite TV, they pay only for an Internet connection, which also powers the rest of their communications world.

The business model once familiar to me, and which sustained my business cohort for 50 years, is now entirely changed. Where it goes from here I have no more idea than anybody, and less than most, but I do recognize an earthquake when I see it.

One notable change? No money. Fine by me now, but not viable if you're 22 years old.

Note that this page in Sailing Today, which Emma Bamford sent me today, contains a link to the forum for readers in Europe and beyond.

download PDF View attachment May ST books.pdf

 

[Zbingham]

Awesome job on the boat and the video! I actually stumbled upon your dinghy videos while researching dinghy options for my E35-2. I later came across the Hawaii video while surfing though your youtube channel. I was delighted to see that you had an Ericson and putting her to good use. I am in the process of tearing mine apart to replace bulkheads etc. It is an overwhelming project. It was super motivating to watch your Hawaii video. I just wanted to reach out and say great job and thanks for sharing!

p.s. My wife and I do not have "TV". We use the internet for watching shows on itunes, netflix, and youtube.

 

[Christian Williams]

It's amazing, ain't it, the course and speed of change.

In 1980, before personal computers or Internet, I was interviewing some women residents of Nye County, Nevada (all right, they were professionals). Between, er, shifts, the women watched cable TV, and several of them could name the starting line-up of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. This struck me as impossible. Cable was a patchwork then, although important to rural communities where an antenna did nothing.

I kept asking them Atlanta baseball questions, and they kept answering them. If finally dawned on me that one of the stations they got was WTBS, the so-called Superstation in Chicago. It had been bought by Ted Turner, who owned cable companies. It had satellite time. It beamed cheap programming and worn-out reruns, but because Turner owned the Braves, it also broadcast all the Braves games.

Which is how prostitutes in Nevada became fans of the Atlanta Braves, and knew more about them than I did.

And the change accelerates. Would you like 22 lectures on the Roman Empire by one of the most admired lecturers at Yale, for which tuition is $60K/year retail?

Here they are, free: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMlNogUmLB0X1QMPHN65QurP7RzCub_I2

 

[Rick R.]

I am continually amazed at the new paradigm the Internet brought us back in the 90's. The old channels (excuse the pun) just don't matter anymore. Life is good!

Time for another video Christain!