I will preface this by saying I love Blip. It’s like IFC with pre-rolls.
In a world where independent web series creators are fighting to not only get their content seen but also maybe make a dollar, Blip has always been the one site that ANY independent show creator can go to and make some money, without having to pitch your show to skeptical distributors or impress advertisers with view counts. In its first few years of existence, Blip has always been the home to wayward independent scripted web series. It is kind of like the den mother of our orphanage.
I also love YouTube. It’s like America’s Got Talent without the 1st few weeks of auditions. Every video is like a final vote. And just like AGT or Idol, the way to move up is not always about wowing them with the best belt, but rather you have to get people to like your personality. So, I hope you’re all likable and stuff.
So, we have Blippies (hee hee). And we have YouTubers, and never the twain shall meet.
Until now.
After re-designing their website to make it more user friendly to those looking to watch professional web series, Blip announced yesterday that they are bringing The Collective’s array of YouTube successes (like The Annoying Orange and ijustine) to Blip, the haven for indie web series. And for a moment, indie creators pouted, as if their mom gave their favorite toy to the prettier and more popular little sister.
Now, as in all dysfunctional families, I feel that these two groups should not be mutually exclusive, and someone needed to step up and mitigate. And Blip, which is incidentally a start-up themselves, took the initiative to do it. Also, I’ll point out that Collective clients produced Black BoxTV, which is totally an indie web series that often features YouTuber talent, so they’re totally game for being BFFs with their smart, albeit less popular sibling.
The important thing is Blip is rapidly and smartly expanding its brand, and since Blip is the only popular user-generated site that is seriously committed to raising awareness for indie scripted series, that is a wonderful, wonderful thing. Of course, with pretty much every platform catering to “celebrity” content right now, including YouTube, I do think it is imperative for Blip to retain its indie IFC/HBO vibe. But by the way, these youtube celebs are actually also indie creators. They just have a sh#tload of viewers, and that aint bad.
Remember: it’s about industry growth and developing easy-to-navigate places for people to go to watch online video.
So congrats Blip on growing your site to meet the needs of the market!
What are you thoughts?
DARYN
I think you rock and that you are right.
Just remember that any web site company can go bankrupt…….so make sure any platform you used to host your show is financially secure for the long term.