This is a bit harsh, but, based on the author's site design and the design of his other sites, I'm not sure why we should take the author seriously.
I'd say that the primary test should be how much sense the points in the article make to you.
Having said that, if you want some proof of authority, I have a fair track record in Web shows - I founded Machinima.com, was the exec producer on BloodSpell and Kamikaze Cookery, have produced Machinima work for the BBC, EA, etca, and generally have been doing it professionally for 13 years. I ain't Jakob Neilsen, but I know one end of selling a web show from the other.
Want to pull people in to your video content? Look at some of the better video sites on the web and see how they do it.
I can think of one off the top of my head: http://epicmealtime.com/
But they could have been even more successful - for example, if I'd implemented the techniques I talk about in the article. That's my point.
(Perhaps they'd even have been more successful with visually slicker sites - but the belief that a prettier site automatically equals better conversions is a reasonably well-known business fallacy.)
It was more distraction free and readable than, say, Mashable and they pay lot sum to designers. It wasn't decorated but it was well designed.
Edit: Formatting
The blog that's linked uses a popular Wordpress theme.