TV: Moving Forward, Networks or Not.

Janko over at NewTeeVee has a brilliant post about where the actual potential of Joost lies, and what tricks they may have up their sleeve. Sure, the biggest to do has been with their P2P technology, but their metadata chops may be the thing that really sets them apart (and leaves Babelgum behind).

Basically, we may soon see annotated, timestamped programming. So, if now you can watch a DVD with or without the director's commentary, so too could you watch Joost programming with or without viewers' comments attached. Just think how useful and intriguing this could be for shows that have worked the hardest to develop an experience past the initial 60 minutes a week, like Lost and Heroes.

"So what can these metadata frameworks be used for? Timestamped comments and tags are certainly one interesting possibility. Combine this with FOAF-like social networking structures, and you got yourself a whole new way to explore TV programming.

Imagine a personalized TV channel that only serves you shows your friends are literally talking about. Or think about the way this could transform programming itself. What if the Lost folks didn’t do their next Alternative Reality Game on the web, but in Joost itself, allowing you to collaborate with your friends and collect clues while watching the show?"

I've said it before, but we're just now scratching the surface. Stay tuned...