Hendin+C+blog+post+analysis

To: Proximity social networking team From: Hendin C Subject: Blog post analysis Date: 01 February 2010

We were recently requested to review a blog post in preparation to run our spring focus group sessions. Below, I reviewed a blog regarding YouTube’s intent to enter the field of online movie rentals. I believe we should run our focus group to determine whether Towson University students would utilize YouTube’s online movie rental service.


 * What YouTube will provide**

Currently, only five movies are available for online rental. In the future, YouTube plans to offer movies from a library that rivals those of Netflix, Xbox Live, and iTunes. Rentals will cost consumers $3.99 and will be available to the subscriber for 48 hours.

Currently, uploading and viewing homemade videos on YouTube is free. In terms of overall internet traffic, YouTube remains the sixths most visited website. However, YouTube is being pressured by investors who seek profits outside of revenues from ads.


 * What will this mean?**

Users will no longer have to pay a subscription like Netflix users in order to rent movies. They will simply be able to choose movies a la carte like going to a local video rental store. Yet, users will not have to worry about driving to the store, late fees, or whether or not the movie they wish to view will be in stock.

Current Netflix users are charged $9.99 a month for unlimited movie rentals. They can choose between having DVDs delivered, and watching their movies through Xbox live which they can view through their HDTV.


 * Questions to ask focus group**

 Our clients need answers to these questions in order to better understand how our college students view movies and how YouTube will influence the field of online movie rentals.
 * Will college students or any potential costumer wish to utilize YouTube’s movie rental service if they intend to view more than two movies every month?
 * What services do you use or subscribe to for movie rentals?
 * Do you enjoy watching a movie on a laptop?
 * How many movies do you watch a month not including movies on TV or in the theatres?


 * References**

http://www.flyernews.com/articles/volume/57/issue/26/id/5521/category/news Yang, Tracy. "YouTube follows trend, now offering online movie rentals." //Flyer News//. 28 Jan. 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2010.