The Internet Seems Fun

I spent the money on this DVD, 20 dollars total with shipping and handling - and it wasn’t because I knew I would enjoy the content, though I don’t doubt that I will, it was because I love the thought of this kind of product from a website. 

During the live cast last night Sam Reich said something like, “we could be totally transparent and tell them that if they don’t buy it, we can never do something like this again.” That is a scary thought. College Humor stepped out onto a limb here, chose it’s most consistent product, and gave them a blank check to make what is basically a TV pilot with special DVD features. 

As much as this is a big deal for them, it is a really really big deal for College Humor and other websites in the original content genre alike. It begs a big question, can a product that is normally free to its audience be given a price tag and received well? 

Obviously things like this cost more money and take a lot more time to create. The usual Jake and Amir episode doesn’t cost anything to make except for the salaries of the people involved. This DVD required insane hours of writing, scouting, shooting, editing, vfx etc etc - and has taken around 6 months to produce. (all information from CH and the Live Cast) 

So with all of that knowledge, will people still be angry when they have to pay $2.99 to stream the 30 minute video or buy the $12.99 DVD? Absolutely. 

And the reason is simple, people on the internet feel like they are entitled to what they are used to, and websites like CH produce free content because they are making money in other ways than charging you. For low budget content, that works out really well, but when you start throwing more and more money at your product, having that product produce a positive cash flow becomes more difficult. 

So yes I bought it because I want websites like this one, who in my opinion have proven themselves to their audience time and time again that they are a talented group of individuals, to have the chance to expand their brand. 

The internet is thought to be the death of Television, and it’s content like this that I think really makes that case as strong as it is - but in the end I wouldn’t be surprised if the internet and TV content were one in the same, both pushing the other to get better and better. 

collegehumor:

Announcing: Jake & Amir Fired - A brand new, never-before-seen 30 minute episode!

Click through to check out the trailer!

Want more exclusive content? The DVD also has:

• Behind-the-scenes footage
• Outtakes
• Commentary
• The dudes’ hand-picked favorite 10 episodes
• A full-length Ace & Jocelyn episode