TenduTV

So, after extensive research about TenduTV ... There's not much to report back. But I did find a couple articles and found an email address for inquiries about TenduTV so hopefully I'll know more about it soon. I'll tell you what I found out and then offer my opinion of the possible profitability and value of this company, TenduTV Inc.

TenduTV appears to be working hard to put up a fully functional offering of their product by the summer. For now the following info is all they have on their site: "TenduTV is proud to present the best of Dance performance, available for the first time on demand.  From the established masters of today to the emerging choreographers of the future, the global dance audience finally has a place to go, without having to go anywhere. TenduTV is theater in your home. Coming this summer, to a stage, monitor or television near you."

... Yes, PLEASE! Finally! How amazing would it be to have access to real Dance performance in the comfort of your bed at home before you doze off to sleep, during your lunch break at work, at the studio preparing for a job... you get the drift.

Anyways, strangely (or not so strangely, considering how Facebook is taking over the Internet in general), TenduTV's Facebook page has more information about their goals for a summer release of their service than their company website. Here's what's up:

• Specifically, their mission is: "To provide the opportunity for dance companies to benefit from new revenue streams while growing the global dance audience."
  
• Also... "TenduTV will be the leading provider of high quality dance performance video on the internet. TenduTV will be launcing as a channel on leading video portals in the Summer of 2008."
  
• Finally... "Are you a choreographer wanting to show your work on TenduTV? Send an email to inquiries@tendu.tv with your contact information, and a content associate will get back to you."

In addition to this info, the TenduTV Facebook page has a note attached that introduces some new TenduTV advisory board members who: "Provide industry-specific expertise related to the varied issues faced by TenduTV and its content partners." Here's a summary of the new

 contributors' backgrounds:

• Jay Franke: Lar Lubitrov Dance Company member since 2005, Chicago Dancing Festival co-founder. Danced with Twyla Tharp, Lyric Opera Ballet Chicago and Hubbard St Dance.
• Jason McDole: Conservatory of Perorming Arts at Point Park College and the New Jersey Dance Theater Ensemble faculty member. Alumnus of Twyla Tharp, David Parsons, Lar Lubovitch, and Battleworks dance companies.
• Andrea Weber: Merce Cunningham Dance Company member and AGMA delegate since 2004.
  

Seeing these bios made me curious as to the nature of this site because it seems very east coast based and appears that people involved largely have a background of modern and ballet. Being based out of LA I'm naturally wondering how they plan to incorporate the LA dance world (and international world if their goal is to 'grow a global audience.'" The founders may think that focusing only on dance companies they view as legitimate or professional is smart... I beg to differ. The beauty of the Internet is in the long tail of space available to reach an audience that is simultaneously mass and niche. All the videos posted could be sorted by:

• Dance style: (ballet? modern? tap? jazz? hip hop? contemporary? swing?)
• City/country/region: (Broadway? LA? Spain? China?)
• Intended distribution channel/venue: (live theater? music video? cinema? TV?)

If TenduTV isn't exploring options for expansion beyond modern, ballet, and the east coast they should definitely reconsider. Choreographers want the opportunity to distribute their work and doing so is only an opportunity to make more money and draw more eyeballs to the site.

**TenduTV was founded only a month ago and is funded by Sumaki LLC. They are currently planning on launching a branded channel on leading video portals in summer 08.