A lot of people hate it when I shake things up over at Spacevidcast. Why mess with a good thing? Well I believe that we must change and improve all the time else we become complacent and eventually die. Change is not always good (see Spacevidcast 2.01 for example) but it can lead to some pretty cool stuff (see STS-129 launch coverage from Spacevidcast). Besides, change can be fun!
Since 2010 is right around the corner I was looking at where we’re at and where I think we should be. I love that Spacevidcast is HD, that we’re live and interactive and that we’re pretty consistent. I do think a few things should be reviewed and possibly modified to help the show continue to grow. Spacevidcast is a social community in which I like to solicit the feedback of our members to see what you guys want. So, in no particular order is my list of stuff I’m thinking of:
- Change the day and time of the show. Remember that we are a worldwide show with 60% of our audience coming from the US. 8:00pm PST would be 11:00pm EST so I need to pick a day and time that will work for as many people as possible. What about Sundays at 21:00 UTC? That would be 1:00pm PST, 3:00pm CST or 4:00pm EST. I am open to thoughts and options here. I’m thinking of changing the day/time as we seem to keep butting up against other programs on at the same time and competing. This was not the case in 2005 when we started Technology Evangelist podcasts, but it is now.
- Change the format of the show a bit. Keep the live audience and guest, but rather than just interview the guest bring them in as a guest host for the whole show! Think of a TWiT but for space. We would be more like a radio show that also does video, so maybe that’s not quite the right fit. Space generates a lot of stunning pictures and video, would be a shame to lose that to a radio format. Besides, even TWiT is moving to video… Worth noodling it at least. Maybe keep the live show as is and add a podcast format that also has video… So a TWiTesq version once a week and the regular show once a week. Hmmm, where to find the time?
- Change the opening video (keep the music for now) as well as the graphic overlays. I have yet to find graphics that I’m really satisfied with, other than the STS-129 launch graphics which I don’t think lend themselves to the live show very well.
- Add more Twitter and Facebook integration. How?
- Should I keep the chat room burned on the screen the whole time? Why even put the chat room up anymore? Does anyone like that graphic up there?
- Make the whole show as casual as the post show is now. Everyone seems to like the post show best anyhow.
- Change the set a lot. I know, I know, y’all hate it when I do this, but work with me here. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIOgvmy0DZQ. Now imagine us sitting in a formation much like that (with me in a cool chair like what Ashton has), Cariann on the couch (co-hosting) and a HDTV set on the couch next to her (guest). Cheesy? Should be cheap and easy to do. We still get our computers, we’re still sitting but I think it is more of a casual conversation, more true to the show.
- No virtual sets.
- I’m thinking that instead of streaming NASA TV when we’re not on we would have our own TV channel. Stream past SVC shows, show some snippets of epic content, add in some commercials/PSAs, put in the calendar of events that week, etc., etc. Still offer live streaming of launches, but no more freaking children programming!
- Should I bring back the ‘Coming Up’ portion at the beginning of the show? Did anyone care? It is a huge PITA to create those.
Then here is my list of things that I would like to improve but we don’t have the cash for today:
- I would like to get an AJA Ki Pro so that we can record a nice HQ version of the show and quickly/easily export it to every version we need to web and device distribution. $4,000 for this recorder (but it is uber cool and does exactly what we need).
- I would like to make sure our iTunes and RSS feeds have all of our videos available to them. To this end we either need more time, more encoders or that AJA Ki Pro.
- I want my ToDoCast Satellite system. A cool $40k for the dish alone.
- I want TWO new audio boards. One to replace the dead M-Audio ProjectMix I/O that we used for Podcasts (notice we no longer do Podcasts?) Another for the studio (replace the working DFX-12) so we can have more Aux outputs allowing for more live guests! I really like the PreSonus StudioLive 16.4.2 which has everything we need built in. Alas they are $2,000 each. I would get one and move it from location to location but they are decievingly heavy and large. I’m pretty sure I would break it and then we would be *really* SOL!
- I would like four new Podcasting mics (I really want to bring back our Podcasts, I miss doing them). I’m stuck between the Heil PR40 and the ElectroVoice RE27N/D. Either model is around $400.00 each. Both are fantastic!
- I need to buy a bunch of headsets for guests in bulk and just mail them out to each person. No idea what to get, but we have to fix the guest audio once and for all!
- I would like Spacevidcast to buy its own MacPro. Right now we’re using the CRCC MacPro and every time we need to do a show I have to utilize Cafn8ed‘s equipment. If he was editing a project (which he makes money at) I have to stop whatever he is doing. I hate doing that. In addition it would allow us to stream higher quality 24×7 NASA coverage (although I think I want to stop that). While you’re over there clicking on links, go buy some Blastoff Blend!
- 3 new HD cameras for the show. Something that can do 720p really, really well. I’m thinking of using the Canon EOS 5D Mark II but I don’t think it can do live video as well as a traditional camera (it can record great looking video though). Maybe an HPX170 or an HMC150.
- 1 new HD camera for the dailies. Since this doesn’t need to be live I think a Canon EOS 5D Mark II would work perfect here!
- A XD300 would be kinda nice.
- A 3Play would be kinda nice if we’re going to do remote shoots for things like NGLLC and other space contests. Of course we would need that satellite truck first.
- A LiveStream Pro subscription so we can stream ad free! I believe that came out to something like $1,600 a month for our viewership.
- Fiber Optic bandwidth to the CRCC studio. We need more upstream bandwidth so we can provide you with more live channels! Around $1,500 a month for anything substantial (10Mbps up and down).
- I want a team of 3d animatiors and a team of music composers who can create stunning elements for use in shows. Imagine a Meteorwatch quality trailer for absolutely everything we do, every week. Basically a staff of 4 people, 2 on each side, to create amazing media the likes of which the world has never seen. Probably around $250,000 or more a year to bring on staff like that.
Not that we’ll be able to buy ANY of that in the near future, but the bigger success epic becomes, the more funds we will have to do some cooler things. I hope epic turns in to something great. If not that’s OK it won’t be the end of Spacevidcast, but it sure will delay my plans for world domination!
The change in hours would be nice for us euro viewers. The problem would be most of the US veiwers would be up to other things.
The live show works quite well, you have your live audience in the chat room. The problem with a live audience actually there is how many people are actually going to be there would it be worth the cost for a couple of audience members.
I think the after show would be nice as a premium content thing, i never see it live due to the time so seeing the aftershow as well would be a nice bonus.
Finally on equipment i would say stick to your budget. Thats a lot of cost and you would run out of money very quickly, you don’t know yet what sort of income you will get with epic. Prioritise what you need then work down the list as the funds are available.
For streaming NASA Tv why not have a set time you stream nasa and times when you stream SVC content. When NASA isn’t doing live it shows it tends to repeat self, so show one cycle of NASA and then show SVC. The Dailies would be a excellent content to add to this.
I should clarify a couple things:
1 – No live audience in person, just the live chat room
2 – The items we don’t have money for yet are just that… Things we want but can’t afford. We’ll grow in to each item as it suits us. I’m not about to over extend my finances for a show that could still yet fail. Although that being said, I will continue to invest in it as I don’t believe for a moment that it will actually fail and it is doing great thus far.
I think you’re on the right track. It’s important to have clearly defined goals (some within reach, others more lofty), and to be ambitious and focused in reaching them.
You’ve obviously got a good thing going – a credit to you, Cariann, and all those who have helped to make SVC what it is.
But yes, change is needed to take things further.
Regarding the date and time of the show, I think moving it to a weekend would be an excellent idea. I’m thinking on Saturday afternoons/evenings. Less conflicts with other programming on TV and the interwebz and more people around the world would probably be able to justify staying up at goofy hours to participate in the show if they don’t have work the next day.
Format. Changing things up once in a while can be a good thing. Interviewing guests over the web sometims or live in the studio other times offers some variety and keeps things interesting. I do think that the show itself should be a bit more structured/formal than the pre/post show. Perhaps making the show too casual might detract from the great fun and atmosphere in the pre/post show. Then again, it might not. Maybe it’s worth experimenting on a couple shows to see what the reaction is.
Opening video. Some of the graphics do look a bit cheesy. The opening music is quite cool, IMO. But if you’re looking for something differeng music-wise, what did you have in mind?
Twitter and facebook integration. Do you have your own facebook app? Not sure what exactly you could include in one that would be appealing, but hey, that might generate some interest. Maybe a game or space trivia of some sort? Doing giveaways on Twitter seems to be a good way to spread the word. Get people to RT a specific phrase or link that promotes SVC and each RT counts as an entry for the giveaway.
I think the chat room is definitely a keeper. It gives a sense of the show being connected to and interactive with its audience. And since you guys frequently address questions and comments from the chat room on-air, it’s nice sometimes to actually be able to see the text of the question/comment and the responses/reactions of the chat room participants.
On changing up the set, a talk-show type setup would be friggin’ awesome, especially when bringing guests and guest hosts on the show. But even for shows with just you and Cariann I think that would work great.
Broadcasting your own content (“re-runs” of past shows, calendars of events, ad spots, etc.) when not live instead of children’s programming would be fantastic.
And finally, about the pre-produced “Coming Up” teasers. Meh. You guys could easily give a live teaser on the content of the show before running the opening sequence. It accomplishes the same thing with less hassle.
And regarding the “wish list”, I thought my tastes were expensive!!
What kinds of music are you looking for? I do have some experience with music.
First I want to say I really enjoy your blog posts and youtube rants and I wish you would make them a regular thing.
Just a few more ideas I have:
-the original content stream is great as long as you can make money off of it (unless that is to drive more eyeballs to the premium content)
-Couldn’t you have an original content channel and a NASA TV channel and just take down NASA TV when your having a live show (to push people towards the original content)
-I’ve been watching since you streamed the your first STS mission from your office and I’m pretty sure you have always been insistent about interactivity and reinforcing that with on demand viewers through the chat bar
But really just keep it up, you and Cariann have built the foundation for the TWIT of space and I’m excited to see what the future holds for Spacevidcast
I’ll bring back the rants and blog posts. Lost my Flip Mino HD which is why they stopped.
My question would be, what is the advantage of having a NASA TV channel? You can stream NASA TV from the NASA.gov site today and when we’re not on we’re not adding value to the NASA TV content. Is there a scenario I’m not seeing/understanding here?
In answer to your question, the only reason I say to keep NASA TV is because (as far as I know) your the only one streaming it on ustream and that alone is a great public service
I couch and side chair idea you had. Do you want a formal or informal type of broadcast? Informal? Go with the couch. Formal? Stay with what you have. I don’t think switching time will do anything for you. No matter what you do with the time, some people just won’t be able to view it. Equipment? you got me on that one! I got lost just trying to figure out what you were talking about, but then you know that about me, ‘eh? Good Luck!
Sorry, that should say… I LIKE the couch and side chair idea you had.
I think dropping the live chat from the screen would be okay. When there are problems during a broadcast they get commented on (and burned to the show). Sometimes “inappropriate” things are said as well (and get burned to the show). Moderators have a thankless job, including telling people to stop what they’re doing (which shows up in the chat and gets burned to the show). I think you and C watch the chat enough to catch the things being talked about in the room that are worth commenting on.
I like the time/day SVC is on now.
The “coming up” is fun but I can understand if you want to drop it.
Once again — y’all are awesome!
I like the setup you’re using now with the computers in front of you, I think it fits well with the tone of the show. I also like the way the live show works out with space news and upcoming events. Remember, if the live show is just like the post show, people will have less reason to want to subscribe in order to get the post show! Yeah, it’s added content and all…whatever.
The date/time of the show now is OK, but it’s harder in daylight savings time! 10PM to midnight EDT was tough for me in the summer – of course the screwy work schedule didn’t help, but that’s MY problem not yours! Sundays at the time you proposed would work well I think, tho I kind of like Thurs nights – I dunno, somehow this seems like an ‘evening’ show instead of an ‘afternoon’ show, but I realize I’m time-zone-biased…
I was thinking the opening graphics were getting a little dated. Be nice to show the Armadillo flights instead of it just sitting on blocks for instance!
“See” you tonight!
Time: Consistency is critical to getting a reliable audience. To that end, if you can’t start on time every time, change your start time. As it stands, you’re not consistent and you don’t start when you say you will (imagine a new user going to the front page 5 minutes after the start time and hitting reload for 10 minutes. They’re going to go away.)
The opening video is great, high-energy and I think you’ll have a difficult time topping it.
Set design: a change like you describe could be good, but you’ll be spending a lot of time bending over. Might try it before spending a lot of cash on it. It is, however, worth noting that both hosts currently contribute about the same amount; it does not seem that there is a co-host.
I would be really glad to see SVC moved to a different time since it’s on at 4am friday as it stands so there’s no way I can watch it live. You probubly have more information as to where your viewers are other than in the US so I can’t really help you with deciding where to move it to.
I also like the idea of bringing back the ‘comming up’ part at the begining.
As for the set, I’ve always liked the desk thing.