While I agree sketch comedy will be usurped by focused, story-driven comedy, still, brevity is the soul of a good web-sketch and pop culture is a train that keeps on keepin on. We’ll see sketches every day, just hopefully not ripoffs of SNL or KITH or Mr. Show stuff over and over and over still.

Look for WAF to make some strides this year Tilzy. ;)

One additional factor I think will start to make its mark is in the baby steps the industry is taking towards removing the computer from the equation–whether it is Blip going directly to Tivo, or Sony having a link to video in its Bravia series. This might be more a 2010 issue, but it will surely play a growing role in 2009.

In terms of what to call it, I tend to use “web shows” or “web series”, only because I think “short form serial content” sounds ridiculous. I think “web show” works because it recognizes the medium the show was created for, no matter what screen you watch it on, the same way a movie is still a movie when I watch it on my laptop. The original medium shapes the artistic product.

Go 2009!

I would add that I think that shows for niche interests will continue to be the most popular, because those markets aren’t being served on traditional TV for the most part. For example, whereas CNN provides simply ‘the news’, shows like ‘RocketBoom’ (www.rocketboom.com) on WebTV present unconventional news relating to Internet culture, a sub-niche. Whereas there are general business related shows on MSNBC etc, the WebTV show ‘Help! My Business Sucks!’ (www.HelpMyBusiness.com) covers unconventional marketing, a sub-niche again. Likewise with Gary Vaynerchuk’s Wine Library TV (www.WineLibraryTV.com). It’s a niche within the food and lifestyle category. Clearly this is one of the best things about WebTV because the content will more closely match what audiences are passionate about. That also means that there’s a long way to go before we see all niches served.

I believe that Hulu.com has had the most significant impact on the adoption of WebTV this year, and that will obviously continue. There’s a LOT of people out there who would love Hulu IF they only knew it existed! Hardly a week goes by without me mentioning it to someone, and they all say something like “how come I didn’t know about this before?!”

Another educational component about WebTV that needs to happen is for people to realize that they are now in control. Previously the networks dictated the schedules for programming, but with WebTV the viewer can choose when they want to watch their favorite shows.

Another trend I see happening in 2009 with WebTV is for more portable devices to support the easy acquisition and playback of shows. The platform created by the folks at MDialog.com is the best example I know of – they’ve done a great job with their built-in support for the iPhone.

I wonder whether there will be an officially accepted name for what WebTV in 2009? There are so many terms used currently – Internet TV, Video Podcasts, VBlogs, Online Video. Personally I favor WebTV because it says what it is, but that’s just me ;)