Announcing: ATS MIX (coming soon, really)

Over the years, AboveTopSecret.com, has become one of the Internet’s most popular User-Generated Content destinations, with consistent appearance in the top-20 most trafficked discussion boards (as tracked by Big-Boards.com). During the past six months, we've been examining what has contributed to our success, what's happening in the "Web 2.0" world, and devising several new strategies to take ATS into a new realm... a realm we call: "User-Generated Content Ecosystems."

Our first and most-exciting project is "ATS MIX," a new highly-professional ATS-branded podcast series, with aspirations to become a daily live radio show, featuring our very own Dave Rabbit and Johnny Anonymous.



Our goal is to develop a two or three times a week podcast that takes advantage of the perpetual source of compelling and provocative content here on ATS. More than just a show about "alternative topics," ATS MIX brings the collective expertise and genius of ATS members to a broader audience. And in doing so, involve ATS members in the on-air content, show development, guest invitations, interviews, debates, and more.

Nearly all such shows carry the personal agendas of the hosts, and our show is different in one important regard: our agenda is simply our members. The show is about you. It's about what you're saying. It features the guests you want. It asks you to participate. It forces you to think.


ATS MIX on AboveTopSecret.com

We are the undisputed "user-generated content king" of this compelling genre of "alternative topics." We have over 3 million posts, more than 110,000 registered members, over 2,100 podcasts, dozens of blogs, and in excess of 1.2 million monthly visitors.

We have a dedicated team of experienced radio industry professionals working to deliver what we believe will be one of the most entertaining and informative shows available...

ATS MIX will be a flagship regular podcast show, featuring experienced radio personalities, that is born from the rich and ever-evolving content ecosystem of AboveTopSecret.com.

ATS MIX is an entertaining summary of ATS topics with expert guests, members, and unique commentary.

ATS MIX combines entertaining tongue-in-check delivery of important and provocative topics.

ATS MIX delivers ground-breaking ways to integrate online features and interaction with show personalities and guests.

ATS MIX brings the genre’s most reliable and respected brand, AboveTopSecret.com, to expanded audio-content audiences.

ATS MIX is the first to aggressively target the combination of the runaway popularity of Web 2.0 and UGC with live radio.

The most important and unique aspect of our concept is that the ATS website is the core of a “content ecosystem” that fuels the show. ATS members will continually be provided means to offer suggestions for show topics, expert guests, and the ability to feed new late-breaking content into the show. This ground-breaking concept brings the “collective expertise” of online user-generated content into an engaging and entertaining podcast format.

Member Participation: the show will regularly feature members who authored popular threads, provided excellent contributions, and who have key subject matter expertise.

Member Questions During Show: any member can ask the hosts or guests a question through the Web site or through audio recordings.

Content Ideation: members have direct input on a special "member's choice" regular segment and can collaborate with our hosts on developing full segments.

Site Guest Involvement: Expert guests will participate in follow-up questions and answers on the ATS site for several days after their segment on the show.


What's Next For ATS MIX?

Dave Rabbit and Johnny Anonymous will soon be active in a few ATS MIX forums, seeking your input, ideas, concepts, and participation. In addition to our experienced hosts, have engaged experienced radio industry professionals to help us evolve these podcasts into a daily live radio show... a show like no other... where the listeners have an opportunity participate like never before.

Wooohooo and hooooya! It would be great if you could replace Rush and Savage.

Awesome stuff, I really can't wait to hear what these two have to roll out.

Do you think this will evolve into a 24/7 broadcast sometime? I am sure there is enough content on ATS that would be available for a large scale 24/7 channel.

I just hope that the podcast ability for the rest of us will remain on ATS. You know give us little guys a chance to hone our talents and maybe one day be able to play with the big dogs.

Once again I give my kudos to you all for pushing forward and really making this website the best around.

Originally posted by whatukno
I just hope that the podcast ability for the rest of us will remain on ATS.

Several other upgrades and enhancements are in the planning stages across several areas of ATS. Podcasting will remain a key community feature, with new enhancements that include:

- New, robust media hosting with a ultra-high capacity distributed hosting vendor

- New, detailed reporting on feed subscriptions and downloads of your podcasts

- Increased file size limitations

- Improved upload form

- Personalized feeds with your own cover art

So hang tough... we're having to wait until we upgrade our core technology infrastructure before we can move ahead with these and other enhancements to rich media on ATS.


And, certainly, ATS MIX will be discussing podcasting on ATS, because ATS MIX is about ATS.

I am old school and do not get excited about podcasts. However I am excited about this... because it is ATS! I am eager for this to hit the airwaves and not only be on the internet.



[edit on 6-20-2007 by groingrinder]

I'll be happy to chip in where I can. I'm not sure that, "Sunday morning with Rev. Wupy" will be the right way to go with this though.

Maybe I'll go hunt down an Alien and interview that sucker

Originally posted by groingrinder
Am I to understand that this is only on the internet and will not be syndicated over the airwaves?

Initially, yes, Internet only.

However, we are working behind the scenes with three radio industry professionals to develop this into a syndicated daily two-hour show. I understand Dave will have dozens of "relax therapy" specialists visit Mark and I if we pull this off.

Cool stuff

SO,

When you say, "ATS MIX is an entertaining summary of ATS topics with expert guests, members, and unique commentary" do you mean you are going to mention X member said X?

Or something to the extent of, "in a recent thread, our members discussed the possibility of life outside of Earth."

I don't mind either way, just a little curious to say the least.



You also mention a new forum where members will be able to discuss content.

I am quite interested to see where this will take us.




Oh, one more thing...


Do you have a time frame for the completion of aforementioned project ?

[edit on 20-6-2007 by biggie smalls]

Thank you S.O,so much for these amazing upgrades. It feels like there is more interactivity these days. Whats next ats tv? lol

[edit on 20-6-2007 by toraylin]

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
daily two-hour show

WOW! Thats going to make for one hectic schedule. Although can't say I won't mind, though. On the contrary, would be quite nice to have a two hour alternative discussion radio show.

Very exciting!

Hey All,
New Member and my first post !
What an incredible web site...it's like a living organism!

I, personally, am really excited about this new project that Dave & Johnny are embarking on ! The Future is Now ! They are 2 great personalities and it's going to be interesting to see all the Chaos they create....errrr...report!

Bon Voyage...
I believe the mothership has left the docking station...
You are now free to float about the cabin !

Smiles, Light & Soundz,
Synthesist

Originally posted by biggie smalls
SO,

When you say, "ATS MIX is an entertaining summary of ATS topics with expert guests, members, and unique commentary" do you mean you are going to mention X member said X?

Or something to the extent of, "in a recent thread, our members discussed the possibility of life outside of Earth."

I don't mind either way, just a little curious to say the least.

We mean we hope the authors of the the threads will GO ON THE AIR (much less just mention their name) with Dave and Johnny and discuss their topics.

THIS IS ALL ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP/TOPICS OF ATS, filtered through the UNIQUE genius of Dave Rabbit and Johnny Anonymous.

Springer...

Springer,

Sounds great.

Where can I sign up?

I just hope I don't sound too paranoid .

Oh yeah and how'd you get skype I tried signing up but there doesn't seem to be much testing going on...

Some guy applied over a year ago, so I guess I'll be waiting for a while .

[edit on 20-6-2007 by biggie smalls]

Now !! THIS !! is really really exciting...

The possibilities are truly endless..

WAY 2 GO ATS!!!!!!


Semper

Truly, this is an exciting time to be a member of ATS!

Amigos, I am thrilled that you have taken this direction. I myself was planning to do a weekly podcast series much like this, but you guys are certainly taking the concept to the next level.

I am very excited about this new development, and look forward to participating in the show however I can. There are so many other ATSers like me that have professional skills in many areas (graphic design, web dev, IT, audio production), and even more of us that generate quality content and debate. Feel free to use us however you see fit!

Cheers! Looking forward to everything!!

Biggiesmalls, you lost me on the skype bit. It's really easy, you create an account, download the software and you're IN mate!

S...

Not totally sure about all the important ATS future stuff your talking about SO, but still excited about your positioning ATS even further and better than it is already

Tip-of-the-hat
to
the Three Amigos !!

Dallas

I can't bite my tongue any longer, I have to be honest...

I can't wait to hear what these two do together!!!

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord

This is going to be really fun to listen to!

OK guys, this is great!!!! I feel the excitement building. I really look forward to hearing as well as reading.

Just one thing; if I get asked to do a show on air, I have to use one of those things that disguises your voice. Everyone will think it's just paranoia about something, but the truth is, I sound like Larry the Cable Guy.