The New Digital Studio Model

One of the more interesting trends I’ve seen over the last 6 months or so is the emergence of “next generation digital studios.”

The basic premise is a simple one: the new broadband platform is allowing a whole new model of entertainment content creation which  has a shorter and much cheaper development cycle, where programs can be put out on the web virtually for free, and where popularity can be measured almost instantly. The result, or so the theory goes, is that the digital studio can bang out lots of programs cheaply and quickly and only pour substantial capital into projects whose success has pretty much already been determined.  And so, the theory continues, the “hits driven” nature of traditional entertainment program is largely removed.

I somehow think the reality will be more complicated than the theory, but nonetheless do find alot of promise in the new models.

In particular, it seems that there are new programming formats that are some combination of reality TV, MMOs, social networking and viral videos.

Sorting through this largely unchartered terrain is fun.  Hopefully it will pay off, too.