
Media Consumption Is Moving Online - Who Needs TV Ratings?
Nielsen Online have released figures showing overall online video usage has increased 49%, year on year as of May 2009, according to analysis of unique viewers, total streams, streams per viewer and time per viewer. YouTube was far and away the top online destination by video streams, with more than 6 billion total streams during the month, and more than 95 million unique viewers. Hulu, Yahoo!, Fox Interactive Media and ABC.com rounded out the top five.
What Does This Mean For Surfing?
Whilst this isn’t revolutionary news given current consumer trends shifting further and further online, this is no doubt excellent news for brands, sponsors, professional surfers and people like me, who probably watch more surfing online, than they actually do in the water.
Branded Content At ASP Events Will Keep Getting Better
Yes, I’ll have an ice cold Carona whilst twittering on my new LG Mobile on the back of a Honda Aquatrax PWC. I think it’s working?! The relationship of corporate brands and the surfing world where we chillax and watch some subliminal videos together, better known as ‘Backstage Content’ will continue to grow, and become more interactive.
Quiksilver’s ‘Backstage With Hoyo’ series on the Gold Coast was a tidy partnership, broadcast from “where I’d rather be”. Loads of little episodes catering to us surfers with short attention spans. Spot on.
The Billabong Pro paved new ground with their ‘Island Time’ live broadcast, and the popular ‘Say What?’ sponsored by their own Von Zipper brand which took one interactive step further in 2009 to incorporate user generate video questions.

Backstage With Hoy @ The Quiksilver Pro. Matt Hoy's Job Description. Be Matt Hoy.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. It Will Be Webcast, 24/7
I predict that within a few years, the webcast for ASP events will be broadcast live, 24 / 7 through the however many days waiting period. How many times have you logged onto a contest and it’s not? Yeah, me too. The audience is there, keep them clicking through on lay-days, and through different time zones.
Professional Free Surfers Will Become More Free

Where's Rasta's blog? I'm sure his eco adventures would be well followed.
This new generation of professional free surfers, slab hunters, air punters and eco-recyclable soul surfers have the most to gain from online video, powered by social media. Finally surfers are catching up with the likes of ‘Power Moms’ and getting their blog on, and we are starting to see a very healthy online community.
5 Surfers Riding The Online Video Surge
Chippa Wilson - Rising star and ariel punter emerges from Stab & Billabong’s Little Weeds incentive shot to instant internet mini-fame after submitting this 3 minute assault.
Josh Kerr - Just how long Josh Kerr will last on tour is anyone’s guess given his seemingly casual approach to the tour, but as long as he keeps surfing, and someone’s filming, he’ll have a long lasting career.
Adam Robertson & Nic Muscroft – The Thelma and Louise of Victorian surfing recently sent their new blog live, teaming up for double the goodness.
Wade Goodall - Working with Runamuk Visuals, the Creative Destruction videos follow one of Australia’s hot WQS contenders.
The Hobgoods – What kind of list like this would be complete with out The Goodss. If you’re not a regular on the Hobgood’s blog. Then do it now.
5 Of The Most Viewed Surf Clips on Youtube
# 1 : “Stuck in tsunami” 20 Million Views!
#2 : ” Laird Hamilton – The greatest big wave surfer to have lived? 4.5 Million Views
# 3 Quiksilver dynamite surfing viral 3 Million Views
#4 BILLABONG BIG WAVES TEAHUPOO TAHITI 2 Million Views
#5 BILLABONG XXL (Biggest wave of the year) Contest 1.5 Million Views
***Please note that these videos have been posted by more than 1 user and these figures quoted have been accumulated from multiple users***
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