The proliferation of video across the site, from the President’s weekly video address to video segments on the site’s blog, has helped spur this impressive growth. Unique viewers of video content increased 236 percent month-over-month, growing from 75,000 in February to 252,000 in March 2009, while total video streams increased 350 percent during the same time period.

Unique Video Viewers and Total Video Streams at WhiteHouse.gov 

So who is viewing video at WhiteHouse.gov? Viewers of video content at the site over-indexed among males and people between the ages of 35 and 49 and those over 65 in March. Unique viewers 35 to 49 were 78 percent more likely to view video on whitehouse.gov than the average viewer, while people 65 and older were 48 percent more likely.

Unique Viewer Composition Index by Demographic Group for WhiteHouse.gov

Average Composition Index is 100

Another new video feature on whitehouse.gov, Open for Questions, was launched this March. It is a section of the Web site in which the President addresses questions posed by citizens via online video. Open for Questions was one of the top subdomains visited within WhiteHouse.gov, receiving 618,000 unique visitors during the month.

Consumer reactions to recent government moves toward U.S. automakers GM and Chrysler range from skeptical to supportive, based on Nielsen Online’s analysis of Internet consumer buzz.

The Obama Administration’s weekend request for GM CEO Rick Wagoner’s resignation is merely “symbolic” for some consumers, contributing to their belief that Wagoner is being made a “scapegoat.”

Despite the President’s assurances that the federal government has no intention of running an automotive company, consumers remain concerned about the future of American capitalism and what some perceive as a shift toward socialism. Yet, some consumers agree that the government has a right to take these actions given that automakers asked for government-backed bridge loans and taxpayer support.

These recent developments have created significant Internet buzz since March 30th, surpassing discussion levels from mid-February related to the submission of restructuring/viability plans from GM and Chrysler.

GM, Chrysler and Government Loan Situation Buzz (January 1 – March 30, 2009)

Given the skepticism toward the government’s involvement in Wagoner’s resignation, what do consumers think about the President’s announcement of a government-backed Warranty Commitment Program for domestic automakers to bolster consumer confidence? Nearly half of immediate consumer responses to the Warranty Commitment Program are negative, influenced heavily by concerns about government involvement in the automotive sector. Consumers do not trust the government’s ability to manage the program and fear this level of regulation erodes the basic principals of capitalism, a sentiment that overshadows the intended impact of the program.

Consumer Sentiment within Warranty Commitment Program Buzz

(Sample of 100 Comments from March 29-30, 2009)

Buzz has been rapidly evolving over the past few days. No doubt online consumers will continue to discuss unfolding events while the clock ticks for GM and Chrysler.

However, 20% of consumers do respond favorably to the warranty program, saying that it improves their perceptions of GM and Chrysler products or that the program accurately addresses a concern for prospective buyers. This includes prospective owners who say the program has a positive impact on their consideration to buy a GM or Chrysler product.

Topic Discussion within Warranty Commitment Program Buzz

(Sample of 100 Comments from March 29-30, 2009)

Buzz has been rapidly evolving over the past few days. No doubt online consumers will continue to discuss unfolding events while the clock ticks for GM and Chrysler.

*Scott Hamm also contributed to this analysis