Friday, September 29, 2006

America's Funniest Viral Videos

I'm shocked. In complete disbelief. Speechless.

Vin Di Bona Productions led the charge for user-generated videos when it Americanized segments from the Japanese series, "Fun with Ken and Kaito Chan," to create "America's Funniest Home Videos."

AFV preemed way back on November 26, 1989, and it was the King for 15 years. It was the outlet for funny and stupid vids from the average Joe.

And then broadband spread like wildfire. Prices on digital video cameras plummeted. Video editing became a snap.

You know the result. YouTube became a sensation. VH1 aired "Web Junk 20." Bravo followed with "Outrageous and Contagious Viral Videos." Even Television Week sends me e-mails with "TVWeek Daily Viral Videos."

And only now Vin Di Bona jumps on the viral video bandwagon? On September 22, 2006 Vin Di Bona Productions filed docs to protect the phrase, "America's Funniest Viral Videos." At least it finally used the "America's Funniest" moniker. Back on January 9, 2006 Vin Di Bona protected the generis phrase "Hilarious Downloads."

I wonder if there was a power struggle with ABC over "America's Funniest."

Just a note for you domain squatters:
  • americasfunniesthomevideos.com points to Vin Di Bona Production's home page.
  • americasfunniestviralvideos.com is still unregistered.

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