Byrce is joined by Tony Award nominated Bob Torti. Besides spending time on Broadway, television, and here in Las Vegas in Rock of Ages, his appearance on HSP also begs the questions, “Is that a wand in your pocket or are you just happy to see me”?
Tony Award Nominated (and Wand Maker) Bob Torti – HSP #052 {audio}
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Byrce is joined by Tony Award nominated Bob Torti. Besides spending time on Broadway, television, and here in Las Vegas in Rock of Ages, his appearance on HSP also begs the questions, “Is that a wand in your pocket or are you just happy to see me”?
Our First Exposure on Broadcast Television
Well, at least it started off well. See press release for the lawsuit.
It’s funny. When you talk with many of the folks who make their living in the online broadcasting world (like those of us here at the Vegas Video Network), many say that traditional media is dead (or, at the very least, dying). Advertising is dropping. Viewership/listenership has measurably decreased. The coveted 18-25 demographic doesn’t watch at all. And yet, I bet if ANY of these “new media” producers were given the opportunity to get a show on broadcast television, they’d be all over it.
Why? Because, regardless of what people say, it’s exciting to see your product on a medium most of us grew up on. A medium that still has a huge reach. A place that has no problem firing Rosie O’Donnell. A platform that your mom can watch without an hour of explanation. (“No mom, double click. . .you. . .wait. . .click the thing in your hand with your index fing. . .no faster. . .screw it, how about some pizza and we’ll watch TMC.”)
Of course, we’ve made it pretty easy to watch VVN content. Nevertheless, I’ve seen several “new media” folks get their break on television and foam at the mouth talking/promoting it. And you know what? It’s exciting! It’s acknowledgment that you can produce content that a potentially broad audience will embrace.
And, all of a sudden, regular media is cool again.
Truth is, traditional media is at risk. No question. We’ve been told by several knowledgeable sources many Vegas-based media properties are specifically worried about what VVN does. That may explain why they’ve often tried to duplicate many of the things online broadcasters do. Nonetheless, I just finished getting a bit of a thrill. All thanks to good old fashion television.
“Psst. Hey buddy. Wanna do a tv show?”
Toward the end of February, we were approached to produce a show for Vegas TV. We were a bit cautious about the whole thing. We are often asked to meet with folks who tell us they have this tv deal or that tv pilot and more times than not, it’s simply bullshit. But when Rick Singer approached us (with his on-screen partner Ella Roberts), damn if they didn’t really have a deal with Vegas TV. A show idea they called Let’s Talk News Now!
We know there is a lot of work involved in going from idea to broadcast. So, we got to work. We debated. Tested. Timed. Rehearsed. Argued. Tweaked. Laughed. Compromised. Brainstormed. I got pretty good at doing that whole 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 countdown thing. (When they say a show is 23 minutes, they’re serious.) And on March 21st, 2012, at 1:00PM PDT, I saw the first show produced in our studios being broadcast on television.
Gotta tell ya, it was pretty damn cool.
Sure, there were things that I wanted to change. That happens often with me. But there I was, taking pictures of my television with my Blackberry, as I sat there with Boswell and Coda, watching LTNN. It was really fun. Although it wasn’t perfect, I thought everybody involved did a nice job.
So, congrats to Jacob, Rick, Ella, Dave, Keshia and everybody else involved in getting this show “on the air”. I look forward to more of the same.
VEGAS VIDEO NETWORK Expands its Distribution Network via Roku
All Network Programming Can be Easily Viewed on Your Television
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAS VEGAS, August 17, 2011 — The VEGAS VIDEO NETWORK®, the first and only live online broadcasting network in Las Vegas, today announced the expansion of their distribution channel by partnering with premiere streaming entertainment device provider Roku. This is another first for any Las Vegas-based media company, and continues to demonstrate the network’s focus on making it as easy as possible for its viewers to enjoy the wide variety of programming the network offers.
Since the launch of the VEGAS VIDEO NETWORK in October 2010, the network has produced over 244 episodes. Of those 200+ episodes, we’ve hand-selected over 112 hours of content for our Roku channel subscribers. New content will be added every weekday, Monday through Friday.
“While access online content like that found on the Vegas Video Network is easiest for the technically inclined,” said Scott Whitney, Founder of the VEGAS VIDEO NETWORK, “we wanted to make the process of finding and watching our content much easier. By partnering with Roku, anybody with a television and an Internet connection can watch all of our shows, regardless of their technical capabilities. I expect my mom will really like this.”
Roku became the first Internet TV device platform on the market. Its players (http://www.roku.com/roku-products) range in cost from $60 – $100. Many of the best known online content providers, including Hulu Plus, Netflix, Revision3, CNET and Amazon Instant Video are channel partners.
For those already Roku users, you can automatically add the VEGAS VIDEO NETWORK channel by visiting our Roku page: https://owner.roku.com/add/vvn
The addition of the Roku partnership allows the VEGAS VIDEO NETWORK to reach the all-important “three screens” of viewership access; television, Internet (computer), and mobile (smartphones).
About the VEGAS VIDEO NETWORK, LLC
The VEGAS VIDEO NETWORK® is the first and only online LIVE broadcasting and media network that specializes in a behind-the-scenes look at insider news and expert views about Las Vegas. All programming is broadcast live from our eight-camera, all HD studios, just steps from the Las Vegas Strip. Shows currently on-air include Talktails, Living in Las Vegas, Golf & Other Fore-Letter Words, Pub Crawl, Top of the Food Chain, Awkward Silence 2.1, Let’s Bet!, and Getting REAL (Estate) in Vegas. The VEGAS VIDEO NETWORK is a YouTube Partner, availablel on iTunes and Roku, and can be heard on AM 1400 KSHP. The network is owned and operated by PodWorx, Inc., an Internet broadcasting company that specializes in podcasts, Web TV, and live streaming video productions.
Related Links:
VEGAS VIDEO NETWORK: http://VegasVideoNetwork.com
PodWorx: http://PodWorx.com
Roku Subscription: https://owner.roku.com/add/vvn
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For Additional Information, Please Contact:
PodWorx, Inc.
http://www.PodWorx.com | [email protected]
(702) 395-5268