NATPE 2012

I was reminded of two things yesterday:  1. take your shoes off before walking on the beach and 2. Hollywood is smart.  I’m in Miami Beach at NATPE (National Association of Television Programming Executives), the annual convention where content deals get made.  I’m past the sand in my shoes business, but I’m still stuck on the really simple idea that the more content is seen, heard and read the more money a rights-holder makes. Eyeballs equal money. Hollywood gets that.

When I contrast NATPE 2012 with my first NATPE in 1997 the evolutionary change is remarkable. Hollywood has awakened to the fact that content is created to be consumed over and over again, not put a shelf for admiration.  And, based on the presence of technology at NATPE, Hollywood has also figured out how to make money on their content. In a word, it’s the internet.

Here’s the new rub: SOPA/PIPA. Rights-holders need protection. Law abiding websites need protection. Legislation that protects all law abiding parties in this internet entertainment ecosystem is likely needed. I think Congress will figure it out, just the way Hollywood has figured it out.

The collision course between Hollywood and technology has been coming for awhile. I remember testifying before Congress with Jack Valenti, then head of the Motion Picture Association of America. It was clear to us then that Hollywood was preparing for change.

Of course, as you can guess, I’m all for content getting consumed over and over on the internet. We all make money. I also strongly believe in using technology to protect things that are mine or rights that I have been granted. Hollywood and Syncbak are going to work on this together, right now, in fact, at NATPE, as soon as I put my shoes back on.

Photo by: jodimarr