A few years ago, I offered up a few predictions for the events and videos I thought would shape the digital media industry over the next 12 months. In the end, I was mostly wrong, though I do think a one-second video capture app still sounds like a good idea.
Despite my spotty track record when it comes to prognostication (though really, who can ever predict the future?), I’m giving it another go. Here are 11 things that will definitely happen in 2017. If any of these guesses end being inaccurate, I give you full permission to put me on blast on Twitter.
Last year, virtual reality was the biggest topic at the NewFronts. In 2017, all of the assembled brands are going to be searching for the next Pokemon Go, so expect plenty of presentations that extol the virtues of augmented reality and a number of revealed projects within that space.
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Unsurprisingly, the NewFronts presenter with the most popular augmented reality experience will be Playboy.
The smashing success of Dwayne Johnson’s channel will convince more Hollywood big-shots to launch their own YouTube hubs. In particular, look for more digital content from actors and comedians who, like Johnson, have teenage children. Jerry Seinfeld, who discovered Miranda Sings through his now-16-year-old-daughter, is one candidate.
Seinfeld’s first video, if he does arrive on YouTube? A Bee Movie meme, months after the fact.
This year, a streaming video on-demand platform that isn’t Netflix, Amazon, or Hulu will release a show that ends up with a non-short-form Emmy Award nomination. The odds-on favorite is YouTube Red, but don’t sleep on Seeso.
After previously launching Scare PewDiePie, YouTube Red will once against team up with YouTube’s top star for a series called PewDiePie Trolls You. It’s a game show: In each episode, PewDiePie proposes a change to his channel, and the news media has to figure out if he’s telling the truth or not.
For the first time, a non-music, non-children’s video will pass the billion views mark on YouTube. Given current trends, the odds-on favorite is an offering from a late night host. Looking at you, Corden.
Every year, there’s a silly international music video that gets hundreds of millions of views. This year, it will be an Indian video with a visual style akin to “Tunak Tunak Tun,” except with even more colors.
During the 2016 election cycle, Donald Trump made Twitter his social media hub of choice. Once he assumes the presidency, however, he’ll make regular use of YouTube, where he’ll post regular updates in the style of his former “From The Desk of Donald Trump” web series.
In response, YouTube users will try to game the site’s algorithm so that all of the thumbnails on President Trump’s YouTube videos feature salacious thumbnails.
Speaking of that algorithm, look for it to continue to spark controversy in 2017. Competitors will look to woo away YouTube stars by offering simpler video recommendation and subscription features, but most of the big names are gonna stay put. There’s still too much to gain — and too big of a native audience — on the world’s most popular video site
