Users Prefer Ad-Supported Video
Clickz (Enid Burns) — “Online video downloads have a greater chance of success if they’re ad-supported rather than paid, according to a new report by Points North Group. The firm found that users prefer watching ads versus paying the now-standard $1.99 for commercial-free programs, by a margin of more than three to one.”
Simple explanation: $1.99 is way too much. I’d be willing to pay $0.25 to get the Chronic of Narnia (links to web page that will autoplay video and audio; you’ve been warned). However, free is better. But I digress. Advertisements have no direct cost to users. Although, I admit that users pay with their time not their wallets.
So, how long before we start to hear silly talk about micropayments again? Oh wait, I just said “micropayments” so maybe I’m going to ignite the meme again. Wink, wink!
Read more about paid video content downloads versus free (ad supported) video downloads…
p.s. Microcontent? I agree with Shirky but I do not agree Nielsen. Maybe there is middle ground with Scott McCloud. Maybe I am Misunderstanding Micropayments. (Thanks for Understanding Comics, Scott!)