I haven't been posting all that much about broadcatching (aka RSS + BitTorrent) lately, not because there isn't anything going on, but because there has been so much going on. I also like my posts to be comprehensive and make additional connections, so I just haven't jumped back into the fray. Nevertheless, here is just a small sampling of relevant articles from the past few days.

The New York Times reports on increasing experiments with non-traditional commercial formats (Breaking the 30-Second Barrier). What is particularly interesting is the growing phenomena of "short films" aka "long commercials" aka "micro movies." These are commercials that stretch anywhere from 30+ seconds to several minutes. These are commercials, to be sure, but they are also creative and interesting enough to be content as well. People will watch them (once, generally) because they are interesting, not because they are trying to sell a product. This sort of commercial doesn't really fit into the traditional broadcast format. There are experiments, of course, but really distributing such content effectively will require broadcatching. So, I'm excited to see this development.

PlaNetwork Journal carries an article by Drazen Pantic of Unmediated.org on the development and advent of broadcatching (Anybody Can Be TV: How P2P Home Video will Challenge The Network News). The article is nice introduction to the basic ideas, a short history, potential (and difficulties). A good way to get started on the debate.

The Mercury News runs a piece on the a la carte cable debate and argues that internet distribution is the only real way to create real competition (Forget a la carte cable idea; the future is in Internet TV). Ultimately, yes. However, until then, I believe that we should deny content providers from forcing bundling on the cable companies (and not force the cable companies to give up bundling). See, FCC Requests Comments on a la Carte Cable Subscriptions.

Broadcasting & Cable reports that the WB's Jack & Bobby series ("An eccentric single mother raises two teen boys, one of whom is destined to be president of the United States") will premiere as a commercial-free broadband download before being broadcast (You’ve Got TV). This promotion is taking place in partnership with AOL, but I don't see why other television series don't give this sort of promotion a try via broadcatching.