1938 Media, the controversial (and hilarious) video blogging site founded by Loren Feldman, has been the center of attention over the last few days. Now big partners are starting to take notice, and Feldman is inking some interesting distribution deals.
The site grew in popularity after Feldman began mixing puppet parody shows into his usual punditry, specifically targeting hyper-sensitive tech industry insiders who were sure to fire back. But those parodies have drawn significant criticism from those targeted as well as a few sympathetic bloggers. In response Feldman agreed to stop some of the harder hitting stuff aimed at social media consultant Shel Israel.
The puppet videos are definitely a hit, however, drawing sponsors and, earlier this month, a distribution deal with CNET.
The CNET deal has yet to go live, and chances are it never will. The recent controversy may have given CNET cold feet. Feldman says the deal is “on hiatus” for now.
But starting today Verizon Wireless’ 3 million mobile VCast users will have access to Feldman’s video content on their phone, as well as 1 million Fios broadband cable subscribers via video on demand. The deal, which will pay Feldman an undisclosed license fee, puts the 1938Media brand next to YouTube, Break.com and other high profile partners.
Effectively Verizon has created a 1938Media channel and has given Feldman the ability to bring in third party video content as well. To start, Mahalo Daily, Revision3, Ze Frank and Jay Grandin content will be included.
do you really need plus size bra ad’s on TechCrunch?
loren is the man
congrats
congrats to loren
The puppets are coming, the puppets are coming…
That doesn’t sound like the best move - early mobile media adopters are using the iPhone which excludes a Verizon Wireless channel. And are ADD email loving Blackberry users going to watch video? I’d be much more excited if 1938 did a deal with Sony for PSP or Nintendo with their DS if Loren wanted to expand his audience.
Hum. Feldman can sometimes be funny, but more times than not I don’t appreciate his work. Hes just vulgar and demeaning. Its a shame to see someone get rewarded for that type of business model. But, I guess that makes him smart… He knows what the public wants and gives it to them. That too makes me sad.
good job Loren
Aydin.
Too bad you don’t explain the story correctly - the puppet show wasn’t funny, it was continual personal attacks at shel - he should have filed harassment charges. It’s good to see that CNET wants no part of him.
It’s also too bad that verizon customers won’t know about loren’s tactics and methods.
Nice to see him promoting Calacanis and Rose - good payback for the Shel beatdown videos.
Good for him. People need to lighten up, and Loren’s work is decidedly tongue-in-cheek. Sometimes his harshness makes me laugh more than his jokes, but still, it’s all in good fun. The Web 2.0 sector has such a huge rod up it’s butt… Loren Feldman is just what the doctor ordered.
Mike, can you link to anywhere where Verzion is on record with 3 million VCast subscribers? Thanks.
*its*
Congrats to the puppet , sounds like a big deal .
Wonder if we will see the “happier” side of loren , since he is now playing to the masses . The man certainly has an audience .
The angry , controversial type video only goes so far , gets old quick .
Will be looking forward to the new content .
jp
who is 1938Media?
yeah, agreed with the above re: VCast not being the best platform / outlet … kinda bush league. but, if its the best deal you got, take it!
I think this has a lot less to do with Feldman stopping the harassment out because of the criticism, and a lot more to do with getting those deals inked.
Getting those deals inked with the Shel stuff still going would have opened those companies to lawsuits.
People saying that “oh, he stopped!” and then a day later the deals are inked? Gotta put 2 and 2 together here people…
This is hilarious - not the deal - but 1938 media. What a creative, entertaining, and comical site. Good point above about the law suits, however. Inking deals as such potentially increases transparency and visibility, thus bringing on more law suits. Check this out if you are a fan of Feldman’s creativity and are interesting in starting something like it on your own. http://www.readtheanswer.com/index.php?RTA=web2
I think Feldman is brilliant. There are and always will be haters that say that his reviews are unfair, derogatory, etc, however when you really think about, Feldman is Web 2.0. That’s the nature of people voicing their opinions. It is comedic for everyone apart from the target, but part of being on the Internet is understanding that people won’t always agree with you or your product, so accept it and improve it.
I personally fully support his current puppet campaign, particularly making fun of Shel Israel. I think TechN****** was perhaps tasteless or over the edge, but Feldman didn’t do it again, so it’s clear that he did not intend to come off as anything but funny.
Like I said, keep going Loren!
1938media blows. Childish nastiness, and pure focus on SV echo chamber. What else has Verizon licensed in the last 60 days? Bet it’s more interesting…
Loren is pretty funny to us, but will the mainstream?
will the mainstream agree?
Did Loren sign a boilerplate content distribution agreement that vcast offers to everyone?
Or is this an actual deal.
Will VZ do a press release?
Loren is a complete loser. This is someone who was made fun of and probably beat up his entire childhood, now lashing out and “getting even” with the world one tech figure at a time.
Seriously, a man’s pride goes right out the window to get on your knees and put a puppet on your hand pretending to make it talk.
These major tech figures like Calacanis and Arrington fear him coming after them, so they do what is natural and try to make friends. I guess if he is too busy signing deals, they don’t have to fear a parody of them anymore.
TechCrunch has turned into Valleywag, only Valleywag is often much more interesting.
@zoe — Exactly. Any schmoe can get their content distributed by Verizon.
Hey Man.
Congrats to Loren, but really this is non-news as many of us have Verizon deals and really they dont pay crap.
But congrats nonetheless!
Wow…this is huge. Congrats to Loren! Just Wow…
Oh, and hey, yet another reason why being stuck on AT&T sucks.
As for CNet, they need to decide what they want to be. Anyone who legitimately has something to say (as opposed to those who just recite the facts) is going to be controversial. That’s the nature of having strong opinions. If Farber thinks he can right the ship by playing it safe I think he has a big surprise coming.
Finally, all those saying “there could be lawsuits”…shut up. There are actually laws protecting the production of pardoies. So there’s no way anyone could or would be sued. Try doing a Google search before you speak.
Schlomo - Many of you are not me boychik.
I don’t get it, “as usual” Loren will say to me.
So if I have a Verizon phone I can watch his videos now? Can’t I just go to his website or Youtube to watch them? I’m missing something? Will the videos ONLY be available to people who have a Verizon phone?
Congrats, I guess?
Hi, It’s me.
Good for 1938 Media!
Are you F8cking kidding me? This sh!t is horrible. Good to hear Verizon knows quality content… More money and energy wasted on crap content. Idiots.
Giving each other handjobs in the sauna much? Why are 50% of all articles here on TC about sites in your “network”?
One less RSS reader!
In related news: Phone giant Verizon has decided to include “any kind of crap” to their users flooding the mobile media with quote “stupid stuff from stupid people”.
Congrats to Loren. I’ll be happy to say I knew him when he was just a boychick.
Proud to be a Feldmaniac!
Feldman Feldman Feldman…
Give us a break already, so the guy has a puppet, whoopdie doo.
Its not like the second coming of Jim Henson.
screw the iphone i want the ifeldman phone
Loren Feldman is a nudnik.
Rock on, Loren!
Unless there’s a press release on Verizon letterhead, it’s a nothing deal
This deal is a fake just like the cnet deal. hes hoping he can play with the big boys by catching thier attention, arrington is just trying to help feldman to protect himself from attacks by feldman.
Feldman is smart, Feldman is funny, Feldman works hard, but he has very serious issues and hes messed up in the head.
Loren’s not funny, he’s malignant and obnoxious.
Joke’s on Verizon. Feldman’s a bad imitation of Don Rickles. I see he’s pledged to go after Dave Winer next. Unless this shit is actually staged, that’s a bad idea funnyman.
Surely these companies can find someone that’s actually funny. Obviously these companies are being run by puppets to waste time and money on this.
Loren is a waste of time.. Hopefully he gets cancer soon.
Arrington - stop giving this poser attention.
I heard YouTube has a deal to distribute his video!
Who is Loren Feldman?
no one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the american public, said somebody
Loren makes me laugh. Nothing more, nothing less. Congrats on the news with Verizon. I for one look forward to seeing the puppets on my phone.