MSN Video To Cut Back On Pre-Roll Ads
By Joseph Weisenthal - Wed 26 Sep 2007 11:18 AM PST
MSN Video, which went live with an overhaul today, will limit its use of pre-roll video ads. In testing, the company realized that the frequent use of 30-second pre-roll ads was resulting in a negative user experience. The new system will serve up ads based on how long the user has been on the site, rather than the number of videos that have been viewed. The decision will obviously reduce the site’s available ad inventory, at least initially, but letting the site go underused is clearly the bigger risk. NBC Universal (NYSE: GE) arrived at a similar conclusion earlier this summer, when it decided to can the use of 30-second pre-roll ads for its short online clips. Of course, pre-roll isn’t the only way to go for video advertising, as YouTube recently elected to go with ad overlays, which are seen by some as less disruptive. The new MSN Video will also incorporate content from its user-gen service Soapbox, which reopened in June after installing content filters. Release. (via MediaWeek)
-- Lost Remote took a look at the pre-launch version.
Posted in: Companies, Microsoft, Social Media, Video Sharing, VC+M&A
