BlogTV
| Type of business | Private |
|---|---|
Type of site | Video chat, Webcasting |
| Founded | June 2004 |
| Dissolved | 2013 |
| Headquarters |
Ramat Gan, Israel, Mission Viejo, California United States (2016–2017) |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Founder(s) |
Ilan Ben-Dov Dan Chen[1] Guy Eliav[2] Nir Ofir Oren Levy |
| Website |
blogtv |
| Registration | None |
| Current status | Defunct |
BlogTV was a live-streaming video blog service which was reintroduced by MadCow Media LLC, in January 2016. BlogTV was first formed in Ramat Gan, Israel in January 2004 by founders Ilan Ben-Dov, Dan Chen, Guy Eliav, Nir Ofir and Oren Levy as a webcasting company by Tapuz. Its then goals were to supply anyone with internet access a way to express their talents and ideas to the world. In 2006 BlogTV opened its Canadian equivalent, BlogTV.ca. BlogTV.com was officially launched in June 2007 to America and the rest of the world. Users could create live video shows, interact with their audiences or invite co-hosts (adults only) to join their show over the internet or by using WAP. The broadcaster can broadcast to its audience with a webcam. The platform also included a chat system. The site had a promotional partnership with ICQ which is an IM type platform. BlogTV.com was acquired by YouNow on March 13, 2013 and on March 27, 2013, BlogTV.com closed down, to make way for YouNow.
History
BlogTV.com and merger with YouNow (2004–2013)
In February 2008, BlogTV.com launched the first live User-generated content for mobile phones. Handset owners can watch live content that is being produced and broadcast on BlogTV.com.[3]
In July 2008, blogTV launched its Russian sister site.[4] Worldwide BlogTV has a partnership with ICQ, ICQ also established a promotional partnership with the BlogTV Russian sister site. ICQ is an IM platform widely used in Europe, Israel and in Russia. The sister site, has its own personal community manager much the same as worldwide BlogTV.
In December 2008, BlogTV began its Video Ad Revenue Share Program. With certain criteria to apply, only certain people may be able to be a part of this program but it could still produce 50% of the ad revenue generated from live shows, videos and embedded shows.
In February 2009, BlogTV introduced a new type of account, Pro. This allows users to host private shows, generate new emoticons, more recording space: up to 30 minutes per recording (500 minutes total).
On March 4, 2009, BlogTV released the junior channel type. This is for users aged between 13 and 15 years of age. The junior members can only broadcast to other junior users (13- to 15-year-olds), junior members can only view junior member's profiles, guests are not allowed to enter the chat room, and no co-hosting or inviting a co-host is allowed. Other features for the junior members include no private message options, there will be no way to change the age of a junior member to change their age into a regular member account type. For the regular members they are also not given the right to change their age to a junior member profile (to watch other junior members).
On September 16, 2009, BlogTV launched their 1.0 version of their toolbar. On June 29, 2010 the site released its 2.0 version of the toolbar, with many more features. Initially the toolbar was only available for Internet Explorer, Firefox and the Firefox related browsers with the ability to use Firefox Add-ons Epic Browser and Wyzo.[5]
On March 13, 2013, it was announced that BlogTV would be merging with the live streaming company YouNow. Those with BlogTV accounts were able to merge with YouNow and keep their username, recordings, social connections and registration date. Those with Pro BlogTV accounts could claim more YouNow benefits, such as a higher level or extra coins, or could claim a refund on the remaining months of the Pro account. In addition, all BlogTV staff continue to work with YouNow.[6] As of March 2013, BlogTV.com ceased to exist and redirected to YouNow.
BlogTV.ca (2016–2017)
On January 26, 2016, it was announced that BlogTV would become active again under the domain BlogTV.ca by new owners Madcow Media, LLC.
On September 23, 2016, the new BlogTV team hosted an "Open House" event which lasted for two days where users could sign up to the new BlogTV.ca website and watch a test stream by Ben and Jarrett.
See also
References
- ↑ he:דן חן dan chen at hebrew wikipedia
- ↑ he:גיא אלון אליאב guy eliav at hebrew wikipedia
- ↑ "Video broadcasting service BlogTV goes mobile". webware.com. 2008-02-06. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
- ↑ BlogTV Russia "Sister Site" Archived March 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "The Official blogTV Toolbar." Archived October 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "The blogTV Blog" Archived March 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.