Video's growing popularity
Ever since Google drew the universe's attention to online video with its unprecedented $1.65 billion acquisition of YouTube, wannabes and entrepreneurs alike have attempted to emulate not only YouTube's model, but also the site's staggering viewership stats.
In reality, online video has been around for more than a decade, but only after 2006's YouTube deal did advertisers really start paying attention. Of course, there's still only one YouTube, but the last few years have seen a flurry of activity in the online video space, from sites hosting specialized user-generated content and sharing revenue with the producers of that content to others that focus on professionally produced and packaged webisodes.
So far, all outward signs indicate that consumers are watching. comScore reports that in January, slightly more than 75 percent of the U.S. internet audience watched an online video.
But where should advertisers wanting in on online video spend their limited dollars? It all depends on who they're trying to reach. Here is a roundup of a few popular video sites, including demographics and ad opportunities.
If there are other original video sites worth watching, feel free to mention them in the comments below.
