TV Viewing Up – Top Media Trends in 2010
Two reports out today offer hope for our business in 2010. They also portend continued change and the clear message that we must manage that change if we are to survive as broadcasters. Add your thoughts.
Even though Americans are pushing domestic boxoffice revenue to new highs, an increasing number of them are indicating they’d rather save money and watch television.
According to Deloitte’s fourth annual “State of the Media Democracy” report, due out today, 34 percent of Americans cite TV as their favorite medium, up from 27 percent last year. Second through fourth, respectively, were Internet, music and books, all of which are perceived by the average consumer as being less expensive than a night out at the movies. Rest of this article
This is truly a golden age of anytime, anywhere media. And rather than Americans replacing TV with the Internet or a mobile device, they are just consuming more—often simultaneously. Despite the availability of video content on the Internet, TV viewing is up by about 20% over the last decade, and the average American watches 141 hours of programming each month. Online video consumption stands at more than three hours a month—up from virtually nothing ten years ago. Mobile viewing is growing, too, as devices and connectivity become more widespread. Smartphone usage is climbing and text messaging is through the roof. On average, teens use more than 3,500 text messages a month and adults about 500.
Top Cross Media Trends in 2010:
- Convergence is in demand. As American consumers continue to outfit their “home bunkers,” they will invest in the next generation of TV’s that are Internet enabled giving universal access to content across screens combined with the devices in which they’ve already invested, such as HDTVs, DVRs and “over-the-top” systems. And 4G networks make it an all-Internet world.
- Second and third screen initiatives grow. More content originally for the TV will be accessed on the Web, long-form video content for mobile phones will expand and efforts to make over-the-top systems will become more compelling for accessing Web content.
- Audience fragmentation continues. The increasing variety and sophistication of media options will make it a challenge to keep viewers engaged and receptive. Evolutions to the media universe will need to follow the new laws of increasing portability and increasing content.
- New and varied approaches to content are created. New, low-cost models are key (e.g., Jay Leno’s nightly 10 p.m. program on NBC). Low-performing networks will go extinct and free on demand online offerings will need reconsideration.
- Multiple distribution opportunities are formed. Deals—including the Comcast/NBC deal—will create new outlets for programming, while studios replace the traditional executive brand builders responsible for a number of distribution channels.
Live, Local mobile DTV- Bring on Live News & Weather
Though most of the solutions available to broadcasters today are either too expensive, or bandwidth hogs, the appetite for Live News and Weather appears high among those already using mobile devices.
According to a new Magid Media Labs study commissioned by the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), mobile consumers in the U.S. respond enthusiastically to the notion of watching live, local mobile DTV.
When asked what live video they want to see, nearly nine out of ten survey respondents say they are interested in watching live news and weather programming while on the go.
Read the rest of this entry »
Getting Your News Delivered by Mobile
Sourced from: Advancing the Story Posted by Deb Wenger on 12/04/09 •
• 
When I took a spin through the first 200 or so news apps on the Apple Web site earlier this year, WKRG in Mobile, Alabama, was the only local TV station featured. So, why is that? It may be that many local news organizations are not yet trying to capitalize on the mobile audience.
David Rencher, interactive media director for WKRG, a Media General-owned station, thinks that’s a mistake.
“Well,the way I see it is that we can’t just look at ourselves as a TV station,” Rencher said. “We are a content creators and we have to provide that content on whatever platform the user wishes to consume it.”
Looking for help to jumpstart this process in your newsroom. Call or email me. 270-443-3089 or griffpotter@bellsouth.net.
OTNB IDEA: News directors invite viewers to virtual story discussions
Last week, I alerted you to some of the uses for the new “YouTube Direct”. (Is YouTube Direct Right for your News Organization) Here’s another great idea to engage your customers in a powerful, new, way.
Stations’ Story Meetings Offer ‘Public Option’ By Michael Malone — Broadcasting & Cable, 11/30/2009 2:00:00 AM
While the typical station story meeting has six or eight people present to pitch ideas, WITI Milwaukee might have 60 or 80 at its daily 1:45 confab. That’s because WITI opens up the editorial meeting to the public through live blogging and a live video stream, along with a Web program that allows users to toss in story ideas while commenting on others.
Is YouTube Direct Right for Your News Organization?
Expect to hear a lot of buzz about YouTube Direct. And, for good reason. It may be the solution for you to get user-generated video and viewer comments on your site, or on-air, without costing you anything.
Except, this model has no revenue component, a fact established solutions like YouNews, USTREAM , KickApps , will surely point out. Oh, and you are helping YouTube build out it’s news presence online.
YouTube Direct allows you to embed the upload functionality of YouTube directly into your own site, enabling your organization to request, review, and re-broadcast user-submitted videos with ease. News organizations can ask for citizen reporting; nonprofits can call-out for support videos around social campaigns; businesses can ask users to submit promotional videos about your brand. With YouTube Direct, the opportunities to connect directly with the YouTube community are endless.
Key features of YouTube Direct include:
- Built on the YouTube API, this 100% open-source solution provides you with an easily-integrated audience engagement platform for your website
- The customizable interface allows you to tailor the look and feel of the tool precisely to your audience
- Visitors can answer your call for content by uploading their videos to YouTube via your site without leaving the page
- A moderation panel enables your editors to review and approve/reject all submitted videos, deciding which ones meet your organization’s editorial criteria
- All videos approved by your editors include a link back to your site when viewed on YouTube
Examples:
WHDH, Boston
San Francisco Chronicle
Here’s how to sign up and start uploading.
Top 10 Broadcast Media Websites – October 2009
Note: The Hitwise data featured is based on US market share of visits as defined by the IAB, which is the percentage of online traffic to the domain or category, from the Hitwise sample of 10 million US internet users. Hitwise measures more than 1 million unique websites on a daily basis, including sub-domains of larger websites. Hitwise categorizes websites into industries on the basis of subject matter and content, as well as market orientation and competitive context. The market share of visits percentage does not include traffic for all sub-domains of certain websites that could be reported on separately.
How journalists can use Twitter Lists
We LOVE Lists! So I couldn’t resist posting these lists of a few quick and easy ways journalists can use Twitter Lists to keep tabs on their sources. ( From Jeremy Porter, a veteran public relations professional. He is the founder of Journalistics.com) :
* Create a public list of all the journalists at your organization
* Create a private list of your sources, organized by beat, story topic, or by people you’ve interviewed in the past
* Create a private list of your competitors, so you can keep tabs on what they’re writing about
* Create industry-specific lists of experts to brainstorm new story ideas
* Create geographic lists for sources in specific markets
* Create hashtag-based lists, for people who regularly participate in discussions around a particular tag (i.e., a conference or current event)
How PR professionals can use Twitter Lists
* Create a list of your clients who actively use Twitter
* Create a list of your colleagues at your organization
* Create a private list of journalists you want to follow or target with story ideas
* Organize media contacts by geography, beat, past interaction, etc.
* Create a list of media organizations, to keep tabs on current events or stories – for example, create a list of the top social media Twitter users
4 Ways News Organizations are Using Twitter Lists
Though Twitter Lists are new to most users, some news organizations are trying to stay ahead of the curve by taking advantage of the new feature and implementing it quickly. Whether by creating staff directories to make their journalists easier to find, or recommending tweeps to follow on specific subjects, Twitter lists are giving news sites the ability to curate news and further open up to Twitter users that can help them to gather news.
Site of the Day – Obama Weather
What’s the weather, what to wear? Obama helps you everywhere!
How does it work?
The site gets a detailed weather report from a weather.com service, analyses a relation of temperature, humidity, strength of wind and some other characteristics and, finally visualizes the most comfortable set of clothes to wear this day. Of course, our commander-in-chief models the clothes you should be wearing.
Why do you need it?
The site sez: You don’t have to check your thermometer anytime you go out in order to decide what clothes to wear. No more ‘let’s look out of the window to see what people wear today’ or go out to the balcony to feel if the clothes you’ve chosen is ok not to get freezed or hot. All you need is to check what Obama or his friends wear.
Moreover, obama-weather.com can become your major adviser while planning a business trip or a vacation journey. You’ll always know for sure what type of clothes you should take with you.
How to use it
Maybe a fun feature for the end of the weather segment or at the end of the newscast.
