Outside the News Box

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

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.
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Digital subchannels offer the possibility of niche community programming

by Mark Friedrich President at Michigan Free TV Inc.

The switch to digital broadcasting and the sagging economy, may present local broadcasters their greatest opportunity in 40 years to increase market share. Digital broadcasting has effectively tripled the amount of programming content that they can provide, during a time when consumers are looking for ways to save every penny. The only question is, will they capitalize on it?

A little diversion on DTV day. Simplest design I’ve seen for one of these.

Concerned about DTV transition? Research signal strength of your local DTV stations via FCC website app.

PDF: List of stations approved for early switch by FCC

Reposted from MEDIAPOST.COM Mike Bloxham is director of insight and research at the Center for Media Design, Ball State University. (mbloxham@bsu.edu)

How will Facebook & Twitter will manifest themselves on TV post-digital transition?

A number of people outside the media industries have told me recently of the noticeable increase in the number of old friends from high school or college who have connected with them on Facebook and the like in recent times.

These people are typically in the 40+ age group and — for the most part — are pleased to be enjoying the renewed contact with old acquaintances, even though many simultaneously express surprise at what they perceive to be a relatively sudden surge in new Friend requests.

“Where have these people come from?” “Why are they contacting me now?” and “Are they new to Facebook?” — all these questions are typically part of the conversation.

A smaller number of people have also said similar things about Twitter. So what’s going on here? Are more of us old folks getting actively engaged in the social networking thing? There’s no doubt that the Facebook user base is expanding rapidly — and apparently the fastest growth is occurring among those who are over 30.

Recently released stats from complete.com (stats based solely on U.S., browser-based use of the sites) show huge levels of use for Facebook in January, with around 68.5 million unique visitors delivering almost 1.2 billion unique visits (for the first time I believe, ranking the site above Myspace by 10 million unique visitors in the month).

In a distant third comes Twitter, with just shy of 6 million unique visitors and just over 54 million unique visits. Complete acknowledge that since its stats don’t take into account use of widgets and third-party apps to access the sites, the likes of Twitter will be somewhat under-reported in terms of total use.
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After passing through the Senate and House of Representatives, President Obama signed the bill that postponed the final day of analog broadcasts to June 12, 2009. The switch is now optional for broadcasters and most markets will find that some stations will be shut-off next week on the original date while major network stations will hold off until the final possible minute.

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UPDATE: 681 Local TVs to Pull Analog Plug

February 11, 2009 · No Comments

The commercial on KBSI, FOX23 in Cape Girardeau, MO, looked like so many for the DTV transition. Maybe it was me, but the tone of the announcer seemed different. This was serious, like 681 local television stations across the country, the Sinclair-owned station serving the Missouri boothell was moving ahead with it’s digital transition.

Despite congress’ recent legislation supporting a four-month delay of the transition to digital TV signals, some 40% – 681 of about 1800 – TV stations plan to make the switch after February 17 anyway. Read the rest of this entry »

The commercial on KBSI, FOX23 in Cape Girardeau, MO, looked like so many for the DTV transition. Maybe it was me, but the tone of the announcer seemed different. This was serious, like 681 local television stations across the country, the Sinclair-owned station serving the Missouri boothell was moving ahead with it’s digital transition.
Despite congress’ recent legislation supporting a four-month delay of the transition to digital TV signals, some 40% – 681 of about 1800 – TV stations plan to make the switch after February 17 anyway.

To date, 190 stations have made the change to all digital signals before Congress and the Obama Administration lobbied to delay. Their concern was the millions of U.S. households that only receive analog signals and haven’t made the necessary changes to digital service and/or TV sets.

The major networks, ABC, CBS, and NBC, said that would continue to broadcast in analog and digital. These three networks, however, only control about 100 of the total 1800 TV stations in question. The local stations that do decide to go all digital will free up some of the 700Mhz spectrum in those markets that companies such as Qualcomm have bought the rights to use.

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February 4, 2009 DTV Transition – What is Your Station Going to Do?