The big news in web video this week is the release of YouTube XL, the latest assault on old media by an internet giant. XL, which comes just a few days after the release of Hulu’s desktop application, provides a new interface for YouTube users who are watching videos on their television.
Admittedly, the new interface is a bit clunky at times. I tested it out on my own TV, a 30-inch LCD, and a 50-inch plasma, and while it was much easier to use than the original site on the large screens, I can’t help thinking that the site could be sleeker, like the beautifully designed Hulu app. The other problem is content; YouTube is still mostly used for home videos and amateur content, which often doesn’t translate well onto a bigger screen.
That said, this is a great move by YouTube. Now that broadband connections are commonplace, and more media companies are moving to the web, consumers are in the middle of a fierce battle for our attention, with everyone from newspapers to social networking sites fighting for more face time with users. This is only the beginning of the fight, but with this direct attempt by the web video giants to grab more time from old TV, you can bet that networks and cable channels are certainly sweating their business models right now.
