• April 18, 2008

When it comes to online video, the biggest TV hits don't necessarily bring the highest ratings, according to Veoh Networks. Based on the video site's viewer habits during the first quarter, Veoh found, for instance, that more people watched classic TV episodes of "Star Trek" than those of top current shows including "The Office" and CSI:Miami."

Among its top 10 most-watched shows during the quarter were Web-specific programs including Ford Models' "Changing Room Confessions: Nanette Lepore" and the parody sketch "Internet Party" by comedy troupe These Aren't Muskets.

Barack Obama was also big with Veoh viewers. "The Barack Obama Song" video by Wicked Awesome Films drew proved even more popular than swimsuit videos of Sports Illustrated models Ana Beatriz, Melissa Haro, and Jarah Mariano, among others.

While Veoh's U.S. audience of 4.4 million is dwarfed by YouTube (71.2 million), the site boasted the highest average time spent per-person at 1:43 minutes in March, according to Nielsen Online. Veoh may have hit on a Trekkie-based business model.

--Mark Walsh