A content platform has been defined as a “standardized means of presenting information.”

For example, Twitter and Facebook have made it easier to share news and information and build and nurture connections.

YouTube has come to define the era of online video.

The way content on these platforms has been arranged – super easy to use and standardized – makes it a snap to set up and get going.

There’s good news and bad news

The good news: standardization, along with the pervasiveness of the web as an app platform, has reduced the cost of distributing information. That is giving more and more people the tools and opportunity to create and publish things.

The bad news: the sheer volume of content being created and put online is mind boggling. Finding quality stuff and trusted brands can be a frustrating experience.

Spiritually speaking, since anyone with content is able to publish anything, sorting through the false to find the sound can be a life-changing challenge.

So, as the ubiquitous web and consumption gains momentum, where will the uninitiated go for Christ-centered content?

 Four observations

1. More trusted Christian brands have the opportunity to step-up and create “content platforms” for sharing their content.

2. There’s room for hundreds of new channels to broadcast new content platforms. The channels can be uniformly designed so the viewer can easily assess them for quality and integrity.

3. Local, relevant content will always be in demand. The local Church, and church media, is very important in the whole mix of things.

4. Viewers need to remember that free content is free, because it is supported by 1) giving (donations), or 2) advertising

Convergence of media

Media is still experiencing disintermediation. At some point in the future, we won’t be talking about TV, radio, or online video because all those technologies will be synthesized into one powerful system.

In that world, the content itself will be the platform.