"Legit" Broadcast TV Sites vs. Chinese YouTube

Jan 23, 2009 — Erik

OK, so it's great that the networks (ABC, NBC, FOX, et al) are finally getting the point and setting up sites for us to watch their content legally.  (Rather than just finding old Seinfeld episodes on hack sites or on Chinese YouTube).  But how do these network-created sites stack up against Chinese YouTube?  Here's my scientific analysis:

1) The commercials on all the network sites, while limited to 1 per break, are increased in volume by at least 300% compared to regular TV. While I don't mind the fact that we have to watch a few commercials, when they interrupt the show every single minute-and-a-half, Jamaica me crazy.  I'm back on Chinese YouTube.

2.) The audio from the commercials is like 4000 x louder than the show, so forget wearing headphones or trying to sneak in an episode of Family Guy on your lunch break at work.  You better be guarding that volume scroller with your mouse like it's the nuclear launch button, lest you go deaf or piss off your coworkers.  Winner: Chinese YouTube.

3.) The server speed.  Let's be honest, NBC, ABC, FOX and Comedy Central have sites that everyone in the universe might use to catch up on TV shows.  Yet their servers can't keep up with demand.   Not even close.  Glitchy video?  No patience.  Back to Chinese YouTube.

4.) This is the kicker. The navigation and indexing for the majority of "legit" broadcast TV sites look to be the work of Flash-happy mouth-breathers.  We don't want slick interfaces or weird, non-standard scrolling.  Give us a Search box, related video thumbnails, and get out of the way.  Chinese YouTube has the navigation right, and you can search for shows in English.  But, alas, individual episode titles come back in Chinese.  Navigation winner?  The network sites.  Barely.

Chinese YouTube: 3
Network Sites: 1