The problem with the phrase "User-Generated Content" is that it wraps together purely amateur video, your family ski videos, semi-pro, and the emerging new community of creators who are part of an new ecosystem of media makers.

The idea that 'premium' content will come from the current sources of video just doesn't reflect the changing impact of both bandwidth and technology on media creation. TV networks have historically not made content that we considered 'quality' (The "A" Team, Charlies Angels, Deal or No Deal) - what they've had was a super powerful distribution network with local stations and a national schedule that provided a powerful launch pad.

Now that's been 'exploded' and so UGV/UGC is being thrown around as the future of media. But it's really more about micro-media, than amateur media. So a new class of producers is emerging, and within that class there is some very high quality material that speaks to audience with passion, authority, and conviction. This is a good thing. Its good for consumers, it's good for new makers, and its good for technology providers.

The shift moves the power from the owner of the network, to the creator of the most compelling content. And that's going to be important for all of us.