If you look at Youtube, you’ll notice it’s gotten wiiiiiiiiiiiiider! As mentioned on their blog, Youtube have proclaimed:
“We’re expanding the width of the page to 960 pixels to better reflect the quality of the videos you create and the screens that you use to watch them. This new, wider player is in a widescreen aspect ratio which we hope will provide you with a cleaner, more powerful viewing experience. And don’t worry, your 4:3 aspect ratio videos will play just fine in this new player.”
It is really down to the quality of the videos users create? Now really? Sounds to me it’s more to do with the move from Youtube to licence more and more content from movie and TV producers to legally broadcast shows online, supported by video ads. And it’s an excellent move.
Within three years I can see us (with a bit of luck) not just having video on demand service, but telly on demand too – courtesy of Youtube.