Last night, the landmark and unprecedented CNN - You Tube debate aired on television (CNN). All in all, roughly 3,000 questions were submitted. Obviously only a fraction were asked.
I watched part of the debate and I, like most people, walked away with an overall favorable feeling towards this new and novel format.
There are plenty of insights, observations and discussion points worth noting. Here are a few thoughts:
- Why did CNN need You Tube? Surely CNN should have had the clout and reach to do this "solo"?
- Corollary: This was a great way to engage a younger and more proactive audience - both in terms of participation and tune-in.
- To that end, what % of viewers last night do you think were "new to CNN" and what % do you think will stick around and keep watching CNN?
- Cheers to CNN for tightly integrating this into their pre- and post- programming e.g. airing and extending this consumption experience via "video responses"
- Jeers to CNN for having to cede so much equity and visibility to You Tube (as opposed to CNN)
- For those of you wondering what happened to all the questions that *didn't* make the debate, here they are. I'm still wondering how many were censored or perhaps I should say "rejected"
Last night's debate is anywhere between a seminal moment in media and a very clear notch in the lifecycle and evolution of media where we saw YouTube (AKA Google) as an ever-emerging media powerhouse. It also undermines the declining influence and clout of the traditional/old portals: Yahoo!, MSN and AOL.
The Republican debate is on September 17th. I'll be watching.
