Print Should Prosper with New Media

What the newspaper industry needs to understand and embrace is the opportunity that new media brings to their business. They are the makers of content, and news presents important currency to the online world. It is ever changing and brings viewers to repeatedly view their sites for the most updated information. They are content creators and have built brand names and credibility from their traditional print distribution.

Change is hard, but as they adapt, they have the opportunity to attract more online users and be the preferred brand choice. It's interesting to note that the Wall Street Journal has made a decision not to give away all content for free and to continue to push the subscription model; as a print subscriber, it becomes an added value and ongoing source of valuable financial and business information. While the New York Times has moved away from this model, only time will tell which side is most financially successful. Magazines, like Newsweek and Time, may look with interest at these models for their business. Consumer Reports which does not accept advertising seems to have done quite well as a subscription only service.

Yes, most content is being delivered free and digital distribution enables people to share walled garden information outside the wall; but if the brand value and quality of the content can be groomed, it will only encourage others to purchase a subscription to enter the site.

Content is King. And original, credible, well produced content from known and trusted brands are preferred. Be it video, audio, or print, users will gravitate to those sites that do the best job making and analyzing the news and delivering quickly. It is old fashioned journalism with a new distribution stream.

Phone with fold-away screen to launch in mid-2008

Size matters. And as we become more mobile and more green, the question remains which device works best to replace the traditional use of paper for newspapers, magazines, and books. Kindle, Sony Reader, even Apple iPhone are working to create a user friendly device that consumers might prefer. Now comes word of another venture into this space with the announcement of Readius, a mobile device with a screen that folds out to provide a larger viewing experience. And like the iPhone, this new device can also make a phone call.

Unless men start carrying a "manbag", it is only natural to expect devices that are small enough to fit into a pocket or attach to a belt, yet large enough to offer a realistic size screen for reading. As these devices get ergonomically more friendly, we are sure to see more interesting technological changes to come.

But the bigger question remains, will users prefer thses devices to a paper product that can be easily left behind or will they prefer to have their reading material synced to their reader. Time will tell.

Websites make it easy to catch a missed TV show; Networks value loyalty in watchers

Full length streaming continues to take center stage. HBO recently announced access to their east coast feed, as well as VOD type access, via broadband to their content. Surprising announcement given their parent, Time Warner Cable announcing a test to charge broadband customers based on usage rather than a flat fee.

USA Today offers an article comparing 6 different streaming websites. From Fancast and Joost to Hulu, they offer a side-by-side comparison of each site, its upside and down. From my personal experience, I have been most impressed by Hulu, and least by Joost. My experiences with Fancast have been limited. Still, I like the quality of Hulu's picture, the variety of programming, and the spped of access. The commercial interruptions have been limited and not too overwhelming.

As the writers strike continues, the quality of product on TV has gone downhill. I remain a Heroes fan and anxious for its return. As a traveler, I rely on streaming to substitute for Tivo away from home. It is what I want when I want where I want.

Is Writers Strike Affecting TV Consumption

Ask yourself, are you watching less TV because the writers strike has stopped production. Per this article and the research it reports, heavy TV viewers are watching significantly less tv. This number does not make sense, especially given the fact that, except for late night talk shows, the nets continued to broadcast original scripted series. In addition, networks like NBC have been able to hold back shows like Medium, for mid season replacement, so that scripted series continue to be available to the viewer. The problems will be felt toward the Summer as scripted series will have dried up and no pilots will have been created to start the Fall season. I believe that is when research can best identify where the viewer is going for content: broadcast, cable, VOD, DVD, on the pc, and even gaming, like the Wii.

So take this research with a grain of salt. It just seems to soon for this extent of repercussion to be felt. And don't expect a significant change in viewing either. Kids have become pretty adept at multi-tasking and they are sure to watch their favorite you tube video as the tv plays on.

My fingers do remain crossed that the DGA agreement leads to the WGA and AMPTP getting back to the table. We have an insatiable need for original content and that will get the real play on You Tube.

DGA Deal - Will new pact be template for WGA contract?

Exciting to read the news that the DGA has come to terms with the AMPTP. At the same time, does the deal cover enough of the key points for the writers to satisfy their demands. One article suggests that the dollar amounts for creation of web content is unrealistically high and that most web content costs far lower than the threshholds in the agreement. On the other hand, the percentages of new media content are being linked to grosses, a key issue for the writers.

Still this agreement does provide a small bit of hope that a template is available that will help the writers and producers finally agree to terms.

Chrysler Shifts Ads to Sports, Web as Writers Strike

Now if the AMPTP have a reason to worry, it might just be that the writers strike will be the tipping point to monies leaving TV for new media. Automobile advertising is one of the largest segment of ad dollars for broadcast, cable, and spot sales. As interesting and compelling programming stops being produced, the viewer seeks out fresh alternatives and the ad money follows. In the case for autos, opportunities exist on new video sites like NextNewNetworks niche channel Fast Lane Daily, as well as dozens of other websites. Opportunities also exist on VOD; networks like Lifeskool (formerly MagRack) have niche channels like Auto Access, a perfect "new" place to target ad dollars.

So television appears to lose from the writers strike and new media appears to gain. In reality, as far as the AMPTP is concerned, it may simply be shifting dollars, lost from one pocket but added to another. These same corporations tend to be equally as diversified, with their assets spread across new media. CBS as an example owns Wallstrip, and has just moved their host, Lindsay Cambell to a new video website, moblogic. Time Warner offers automobile programming on demand across their cable systems. So these conglomerates simply have to push their ad sales groups harder to take these ad dollars. And with deep pockets, they can handle the loss of revenue knowing that their costs are being cut too. Web divisions tend to need fewer people to operate so the margins may be able to grow at a faster rate.

Yes, the entertainment landscape is changing, but the big fish stay big for a reason. They can manage through the shift and maintain their strength in the long run.

Apple announcements at Macworld

With CES done till next year, attention turns to Macworld and to what Apple's next big announcement will be. Apple continues to demonstrate that it understands the new media world and the connection between useful software and ergonomically attractive hardware. And while they have had a few misses like Apple TV, the iPhone, the mac, even the use of intel chips have made Steve Jobs more right than wrong.

The rumors swirl around the introduction of a rental app to iTune, a more improved Apple TV, smaller versions of existing products and who knows what else. For me, I'd love to hear a Tivo or slingbox partnership, the iPhone screen on the large mac desktops and books, and more communication innovations - wimax. it will certainly be fascinating this week to hear which rumors are indeed true and which are simply wishes. But as it has been seen, Steve Jobs sure knows how to make wishes come true.

ABC Studios Axes Writer-Producers

So it appears the writers strike has allowed producers to exercise the force majeure clause in their production agreements and cancel certain deals. It has been the producers who left the negotiation table so it seems fairly obvious that their reluctance to return was to allow them to get out of these agreements. And while revenues have been hit hard by the strike, costs have been reduced dramatically too so that the net profits may not be too bad for the producers. Unfortunately at a real cost to the economy and to innocent parties who work in the industry but not on either side of the disagreement.

Tonight's Golden Globes demonstrates that it is having a toll. It is now being called an "announcement" and billed as a news event, open to all media, and not an exclusive presentation on NBC. Ratings are bound to suffer too. And while losing the Globes will impact movie and TV promotion as well, the real hurt to the industry may come at the end of February should the strike not be settled in time for the Oscars telecast. I am not sure it can survive as an "announcement" and may be best delayed till all issues are resolved and the sides go back to work.

There appears to be so much bitterness between both sides that I hope that the DGA can create a deal that is satisfactory to the WGA. While they most likely won't be able to negotiate all the open issues, it would take some of the most contentious off the table. And now that the studios can "force majeure" their way out of their bad deals and have their clean slate, perhaps they will also be willing to come back to the table with the WGA once the DGA is settled.

And to everyone in new media; this is the opportunity to create compelling original content and push its value to the masses as an alternative to the low cost junk on TV being presented as entertainment on Broadcast TV. When the ad dollar starts to leave because the viewer has also left, the real impact will be felt.

Why The Strike Hasn't Helped Web Video

I was finding it hard to believe that the writers strike was immediately having an impact on web video and this article seems to confirm my suspicions. At least in the short run, there has still been "new" programming on TV, broadcast and cable, and with late night shows back on, plenty to watch. In fact, the broadcasters are all going to great lengths to promote their night's programming as "new" or "premier".

I also find it hard to believe after watching The Daily Show this week that it isn't still being written. It comes off too polished and produced and some ad libs seem scripted. Is Jon Stewart, like Jay Leno, bucking the guild by writing? I doubt the viewer can tell the difference.

The effect of the writers strike should be felt more directly should the Oscars not get a waiver. Once March comes, it appears the inventory of original series begins to dry up and the viewer is faced with alternate viewing choices. But come primetime, I suspect that one shouldn't look at an increase at web video, but at a significant increase in VOD usage. I expect that the cable companies will report statistical increases in usage that just might cause significant latency or even drops in service, when the system can't handle the high demand.