Google’s deal with Clear Channel and EchoStar to auction remnant inventory will be interesting and will be watched by many. Basically, no one wants their business to be made a commodity, letting supply and demand determine value and price. Think of how many people make a living selling the value of their ads. Change will be slow, which is why the focus is on remnant inventory. If TV networks and video providers were serious about the auction model, they would put up their entire inventory, not just the remnants that are likely to go unsold up for auction. It is change, it is unknown.
If eBay, the undisputed leader in auction, could not succeed, what will Google do differently? Ironically, radio and cable providers will get a view of their inventory that does not exist today.