What's interesting about this story to me is not the idea that serialized shows do well on Netflix -- I already know that, since I watch tons of serialized shows and would only do so on Netflix or Amazon so I can avoid the commercials.

What's interesting is that the networks (and Netflix) are actually figuring out the business model that might make sense for those shows, much as "basic" cable is figuring our how to do more character-driven (and, in some cases, lower-cost CGI) storylines in order to hook smaller audiences on smarter shows. In a sense it's the long-tail at work, even if this is still a pretty fat part of that tail.

As Spock might have said (on a show that couldn't hold the network's attention for more than 3 years, despite a vocal audience), "Fascinating."

The most surprising finding might be that despite having sold just 20 million tablets worldwide, Apple’s iPad already accounts for 20 percent of videos viewed on mobile devices, according to FreeWheel. We thought the iPad would be an ideal device for viewing video when it was announced, but the extent to which it has been embraced by even traditional video producers and distributors speaks to the power of the platform. TV networks like ABC and HBO have built applications for the iPad, as have pay TV operators like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision and others.

iPad is big for video? I can believe it. I'd say there's been a clear increase in video consumption on my iPad in recent weeks... for instance, this past week, I've found it very handy for watching TED presentations on YouTube while I'm preparing dinner. The TED talks are 20 minutes long, and it usually doesn’t take too much longer than that to crack a beer, heat some food and get it to the table. (If you watch the Jamie Oliver talk on obesity then you won't spend too much time eating, either.)

We're headed back out for some travels in June and I'll likely have just my iPad with me (and Ms. D's laptop) for keeping in touch with the office and clients. As before when I travelled, I'll likely find it wanting. (I'm considering a quick purchase of a keyboard-inclusive iPad case before we go, although I'm pre-lamenting the bulk.) Even something as simple as a Posterous blog entry can be cumbersome on the iPad.

But, watching video -- at least non-Flash video that's compatible with the iPad, via YouTube or Netflix, mostly -- is certainly a strength for this data *consumption* device.