Overlay.TV, a startup that lets users augment streaming videos with customized text, audio, images, and links, has launched to the public. The service overlays videos from a number of video sharing sites with a new layer containing this customized content, which can be used for entertainment purposes or as an easy (and potentially effective) means of monetizing video.
To use Overlay.TV, you first give the site the source URL of the video you’d like to modify. Overlay then streams this video from the original host (the site doesn’t host any video content, so it shouldn’t have to worry about the copyright violations that plague sites like YouTube). After loading the video, users are free to add their own content as part of a new layer with options that include text, links, custom images, and clip art. The site includes some basic timeline functionality, so you can set specific times for each item to fade in or out, but it can be hard to finetune the position and timing of each element.
Perhaps the most enticing feature offered by Overlay.TV is its integration with a number of web affiliates. Users can include links to a large number of products, garnering a 50% rev share that is split with Overlay. This effectively allows users to monetize their videos, choosing exactly where and when they’d like their ads to appear, without having to deal with pre/post rolls or other ad options. Of course, the system also allows users to embed and monetize videos that they haven’t created, but Overlay founder Rob Lane says that the company has been working with video sites like YouTube and have had no Terms of Service issues.
Overlay launched in beta in February and has raised $4.6 million in funding. It competes directly with PLYmedia, which recently held a funding round and has raised a total of $8.5 million.
You can see a quick example of what can be done with Overlay.TV below:
Direct marketing that works for online video – FINALLY! For a second there I heard a sensible click in the noise…
LOL @ the guy in the Cal shirt.
And whoever that other guy was…he’s funny too.
Say David your name sounds familiar aren’t you that famous advertising guy that died 10 years ago?
reminds me, i much preferred the type in your old logo.
Signing up now, thanks for the suggestion.
Looks really good. There’s a Swedish company doing the overlay thingy but as an advertising platform. Check them out at http://videoplaza.com
Cool platform. Such a platform is relevant for sure.
Overlay TV has embraced the social and user generated aspects of online video with in-video clipart and widgets for linking and even chatting as well as monetization. The goal is to make videos interactive which will actively engage users and hopefully make the paying affiliate widgets more relevant and thus user will be more likely to click on them.
interesting
FYI if you find an overlay with a video you would like to customize the Overlay content on, you can do that at any time by clicking the Edit tab in the Overlay player. Your new, distinct, Overlay is ready to customize right in the player. No need to sign up until you are satisfied with your work and are ready to publish.
I would recommend perusing the Overlays on our site already to see what targets, styles, and techniques are the most compelling and suit the goal you are trying to accomplish with your Overlay. This link is a good place to start: http://www.over.../overlay/browse
Example of in video chat http://www.over...tv/overlay/3581
I’ve had demos with the guys from Overlay and there is no doubt it’s far more powerful than adding pimp hats to random doods. Expect to see it in some of our upcoming contests for some serious product awareness and monetization.
Here is our take, in Overlay form, of the Ashton Kutcher video above.
http://www.over...tv/overlay/3598
Here’s my 2 cents:
http://www.bubb...ent.com/id/409t
Kevin,
I enjoyed your two cents indeed (cool widget). I think the monetization aspect of Overlay.TV is simply just that– one aspect of many that can be used by content creators. I believe creating engaging content by common folk (and professionals alike) – just plain fun stuff- has gotten a whole easier with the introduction of this platform. I suspect that many creators will just let the videos be, have fun and get creative. If they make a buck on it all in a manner that is relevant to them and their audiences, cool. If that’s not their bag, cool. Either way, the process (creating and experiencing) is now perhaps more in the hands of the end user than ever before, and that is extremely important in the proliferation of solid content, and enjoyable viewing pleasures.