Top Video Trends for 2015

As video invades almost every aspect of our lives, the trends for 2015 are not surprisingly technology-driven. Although much of what is forecast got it’s start in 2014, they are increasingly the driving force in industry. To not be aware of them is to risk falling behind.

1. Growth of Live Streaming
The 2014 Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup took live streaming content to a new level. Although there aren’t any worldwide sporting events this year, the ability to watch any content on your own time is a huge advantage. Expect live broadcasts of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and sports league (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) to continue to break records along with awards shows like the Oscars and Golden Globes.

2. The Slow Decline of Traditional TV Service
Although the eventual demise of cable TV is years away, almost every major provider is losing subscribers. Comcast, the largest cable provider, has lost 2.5 million subscribers since 2008. That’s a drop of about 10% over six years. Expect to see consolidation and new project offerings from the big conglomerates in hopes of stemming the tide.

3. Mobile Viewing and Second Screen
Viewing content from a mobile device has gone from a “nice to have” to a “must have” for consumers. While the industry has suffered some growing pains in the shift from Flash to HTML5, all that hard work is finally paying off. It’s estimated that by 2016 that 50% of all online video will be viewed from a mobile device.

4. The Rise in Video Quality
Look for HD quality (720p/1080p) to become the rule rather than the exception. Viewers are coming to expect higher video quality. Camera and smart phone manufacturers are rolling out products that shoot 4K. This trend will grow as more 4K TVs become commonplace. Already Amazon and Netflix are now in a tug of war over which will offer the best 4K streaming for their customers.

5. Short and Sweet
Studies show that a one-minute video will be watched by 50% more people than a two-minute video. Why? Viewers attention spans adapt to the technology they use. As smart phones and mobile device screens become our go-to for video viewing and lend themselves best to short video clips, our attention spans decrease. Look at Instagram (15 seconds) and Vine (6 seconds) videos. If you want to stay relevant in video, remember that the more information you can communicate in a short amount of time, the better.