Video Podcasts Merge Television and the Internet

In 1998, Ziff Davis launched the ZDTV network, which featured technology related programming. In 2001, ZDTV was sold to Paul Allen and became TechTV. By late 2004, TechTV had won over the hearts and minds of computer savvy television watchers throughout the United States and in parts of Canada. TechTV shows such as The Screen Savers and Call for Help became part of many geeks' daily schedules.

In 2004, G4 Media bought out TechTV and removed most of the technology programming and replaced it with video game programming and content geared toward men. Many of the previous hosts used their skills of media production and moved their efforts online making numerous "IPTV," or internet protocol television shows available on the web. Along with other internet users not afraid to show their face on television, a number of IPTV shows are gaining popularity and becoming a regular part of a users schedule.

One such online television shows is Digital Life TV, owned by Ziff Davis, the former owner of TechTV. Patrick Norton and Robert Herron, both former TechTV employees, host and produce the show. The production, very similar to the original format of The Screen Savers, features the latest technology news and reviews. Many other TechTV host are running their own web-based video productions as well. Another former Screen Savers host, Kevin Rose, hosts two online television shows. Leo Laporte, of Call for Help and Screen Savers fame, brings together many technologists in his weekly podcast, This Week in Tech.

These web-based video productions are not limited to technology news. TikiBar TV is one of the most popular non-technology video podcasts. The show features a group of comedic sophisticates in a bar setting. A variety of other shows are gaining popularity. A series of cooking shows have gained popularity as well, such as Control+Alt+Chicken, and Cooking with Ramsey.

Most recently, a new piece of software called Democracy Player, combines feeds from video and audio podcasts, and puts them into an easy to use piece of media center software, which essentially turns your computer into a television featuring all of the latest and greatest IPTV shows. It features a channel guide which allows users to pick the shows they want to receive ala-carte and a simple interface to download content. Users no longer have to mess with RSS grabbers, or download files manually.