WOOD-TV launches entertainment search site
Cory Bergman May 31st, 2007
WOOD-TV has debuted SearchWestMichigan.com as a search and entertainment site that combines business listings with local events — all mashed with Google Maps. Businesses can sign up to add, expand and customize their listings. “Once an account holder is approved, they can add their events and businesses and tie the two together,” explains WOODTV.com’s Dave DeJonge. “In this way, the community is building the content while we manage, present and monetize it.” While basic listings and events are free to submit, businesses can pay to include graphics, more keywords, a longer description, additional URLs, featured results and custom web pages. Featured listings on the main page are also for sale at varying prices.
TV sites have been non-players in the lucrative paid search category, and WOOD-TV’s effort is certainly a step in the right direction to tap into some of that revenue. The site was built entirely in-house — not an easy build, by the way — and I would imagine WOOD-TV will roll it out to other LIN stations soon. Press release below…
PRESS RELEASE — Looking for something to do this weekend? How about someplace to go? You can now find those answers and more on Search West Michigan Entertainment, a powerful new search engine located at www.woodtv.com.
The free search tool has listings for thousands of events and entertainment-based businesses located throughout West Michigan. People can search for events by specific dates, locations and names. The site also features a powerful mapping tool that users can print out. Businesses and event organizers are able to input their own information, which includes video and music clips.
“Search West Michigan Entertainment is an exciting addition to woodtv.com,” said Diane Kniowski, WOOD TV 8/WOTV4/WXSP President and General Manager. “It offers easy access to information on a wide range of popular events and businesses. This is unlike any event listing in this area. It leverages the combined power of our three broadcast stations and woodtv.com, by far the most popular media website in West Michigan.”
In addition to local entertainment, non-profit community events are also available at Search West Michigan Entertainment. Easy to follow directions for entering information are available on the website and posting events is free of charge.
6 Comments Add your own
1. ! | May 31st, 2007 at 11:19 am
speaking of thegrandrapidschannel.com (aka woodtv.com), these projects are great examples how the LOCAL WEB is going to be far more than just NEWS.
i’ve been watching these guys lately and they do seem to be making a heck of an effort over there at the base of the pinkie.
also, someone tipped me off to the launch of a nexstar channel (very amateur) thestjoechannel . 180 from wood though. ah well, rome wasn’t built in a day.
2. Charles | May 31st, 2007 at 3:44 pm
WOOD has been focusing more on building up more of a community - online and off - on their website. Apart from the site’s slightly dated design, it’s a pretty good local news site. Much better than the competitor’s in this market, WZZM, WXMI, or even WMMT.
Oh, and we’re not at the base of the pinky… Grand Rapids is a little more south than that, and a little to the right. Very close, though!
3. Safran | May 31st, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Great job!
4. ! | May 31st, 2007 at 7:42 pm
charles, thanks for pointing that out.
i’ll have to recant what i wrote (’very amatuer’) about nexstar’s newest web channel; it is very simplistic, but there’s move darn video on there than on most sites in the top 20 dma’s.
stjoe, mo ranks around 200.
5. anon | June 2nd, 2007 at 8:03 am
NOt sure I understand how this is homemade…? it’s a worldnow site?
6. L | November 3rd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
WOOD builds the site. It is HOSTED by WorldNow.
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