Adobe’s Media Player will debut sometime this summer. There is a good chance Adobe’s ecosystem plans for digital media will solidify its role in content creation and serving.
The Future Of Video Goes Through Adobe
This morning, Adobe announced an expansion of its Flash Media Solution Provider (FMSP) program. They are going after content publishers by offering recommended partners to help those creators distribute their videos.
Those creators likely have in-house talent already working in Flash and other Adobe technologies, but the leap into distribution and hosting may be one that requires assistance. A Flash Video Streaming Service program would handle the hosting side, with delivery taking place across distribution networks.
Adobe’s list of cohorts reads like a who’s who in up and coming multimedia plays: Blip.tv, Motionbox, Podbridge, FeedBurner and Reality Digital. Plus, Adobe already has Brightcove, Maven Networks, and others in its FMSP program.
Between the ubiquity of the Flash player on computers, and the broad adoption of Adobe’s other creative tools, the company could be positioned to steer some king-hell distribution business to its partners.
The launch of Adobe Media Player will have elements of control that content creators desired. That control, including the ability to keep advertising elements with videos if and when they go viral, presents a potent combination.
Adobe appears to have all the pieces in place to be the dominant force for enabling video content across a broad audience. Between creation tools, content servers (hosted or on-site), a media player, and distribution partnerships, it’s tough to see Microsoft’s Silverlight and Expression tools, or anyone else’s, challenging Adobe today.
Tomorrow, who knows?
