Monday, January 12, 2009

Is Television Actually Killing Itself?

I see lots of proclamations that traditional media is dying with dwindling viewers/listeners/readers and that traditional advertising doesn't work. I am not sure if this is true or not but cannot see in the foreseeable future that radio/tv/newspapers will fall over all together.

However, it occurred to me, that in the case of television, that maybe it is the TV stations who are to blame for the spruiked decline. And maybe this is linked to reality TV.

I think TV stations are lazy and are too happy to trundle out some shitty reality TV shows. In turn, I think the viewers are bored of the same concepts and if others are anything like me then they don't know which show they are watching because half of them look the bloody same! So I don't bother watching TV as much.

Here is an example - Bondi Vet. You won't check it out but if you want to click here. WTF! Who cares? This show sounds so boring that it will be lucky to make it into a 2nd season. Is it really that different from other animal shows such as RSPCA Rescue or Animal Hospital (I think that is what they are called :)

Hey TV execs ... no wonder people turn off and advertisers are jumping ship. Wake up to yourselves! Create some good shows and people will watch them. If a restaurant serves shitty food do expect that the customers will return? Of course not. So stop serving up shitty shows. It is not a hard concept. If you can't grasp that concept then maybe you should check out this link.

However, as more and more advertisers jump ship, then does the space left, which is occupied by less advertisers, actually become an easier space to advertise in? Will advertisers get better returns because there is less clutter?

Ok, that's enough of a rant. Here a a few things to round off with ...

MARKETING TODAY PODCAST

Wags has asked me to provide some regular content to the podcast. It was born from a suggestion that he incorporate a social media moron award into the podcast. He suggested back that I should do it myself! So I will and am about to record my first segment after I finish reading this blog. I will be talking about a bloke doing 200kmh on his motorbike and David Armano's recent efforts. Be sure to check out the Marketing Today podcast here ... not because I will be on it but because Wags and the gang do an outstanding job.

CANBERRA SOCIAL MEDIA BREAKFAST

I got in contact with Stephen Collins of acidlabs to instigate a Canberra Social Media Breakfast (ala Friday coffees in Sydney and Melbourne). If you are in Canberra, or know of anyone who is, and would be interested then we will be starting this Friday at Cream in Civic. Check out the event here.

5 comments:

Adam Ferrier said...

If they were working in a free market, instead of a regulated oligopoly, they would struggle.

Ben Shepherd said...

i disagree with this - reality tv rates very well generally so i don't think you can associate a dip in TV popularity to reality TV. You may not like it but that doesn't mean the other 20+m Australian's don't.

Stations roll out reality for two reasons ... either it will rate well and give them a 1.5-2m metro size audience week in week out that they then can take to market for strong rates (as this sort of metro rating is rare and still valuable) ... or secondly they can produce it for minimal costs and hence the extraction from the adsales is greater and even with a smaller metro audience (800k-1m) it still creates a good return.

"Create some good shows and people will watch them."

Cmon dude ... i'm sure that is what they're trying to do. The issue is more in terms that the broadcast model is tougher than it has been previously due to increased choice. What I think are 'good shows' ie - Arrested Development, Family Guy, Mad Men, Curb Yr Enthusiasm, Dexter, Californication, 30 Rock etc have either tanked on FTA or never even made it to free tv. It's not as simple as your rant.

Anonymous said...

Very good points Ben. It's a very simplistic view of the industry.

I have confidence that the commercial TV sector is doing innovative programming and creating exiting things for the new generation.

I was very disappointed when big brother was finally axed.

Morgan Coudray said...

Sadly enough reality TV is aired because viewers have grown to accept and like it.

I'd like to bring your attention to what has been put in place in 80% of French TV stations since early January... no TV ads during prime time! In return the french government has a say on what can be aired and one of those is NO REALITY TV.
good luck convincing the australian govt :D

Morgan Coudray said...

Sadly enough reality TV is aired because viewers have grown to accept and like it.

I'd like to bring your attention to what has been put in place in 80% of French TV stations since early January... no TV ads during prime time! In return the french government has a say on what can be aired and one of those is NO REALITY TV.
good luck convincing the australian govt :D