Archive for December 26th, 2007
This is a quote from a Hollywood Reporter story, “Ads A-OK on DVRs,” about a new study on the impact of DVRs on standard commercials: “Fewer than half of the people watching a DVR recording said they fast-forward through ads, meaning that DVR use does not significantly impact (commercial) ratings.”
Ok, let’s do a little math (please check me). They don’t disclose the actual number, but let’s assume 40 percent of DVR owners skip commercials (which equals what Nielsen has said in the past). DVR penetration is 20 percent. The average American over the age of 2 watches 272 minutes of TV a day, according to the TVB (in 2005). And overall viewing increases 16 percent among DVR owners. So when you hash out all these numbers, the average DVR viewer watches 189 minutes of TV with commercials every day. Assuming an equal distribution of commercials, that works out to a 6 percent net negative impact on commercial ratings.
Is that significant? I’d say yes, especially if you look at it from the perspective of a 6 percent drop in commercial value. No, it’s not devastating by any means, but don’t forget DVR penetration is still growing fast. I’m not diminishing the continued commercial power of television — it’s still the big game in town — but let’s be careful about how we interpret these DVR studies. It is a significant, growing number. So let’s implement innovative ways to offset (and even capitalize) on commercial skipping instead of allowing studies like these and their reporting (”Ads A-OK on DVRs”) to pull the wool over our eyes.
December 26th, 2007
Apple has inked a deal with News Corp. to offer 30-day video rentals on iTunes for around $2.99, reports TechCrunch. The deal is expected to be announced on January 14th at MacWorld. Sony Pictures Entertainment, Paramount and Warner Bros. are also in talks. “Another interesting part is News Corp appearing to continue to hedge its bets; on one hand it joined with NBC to launch Hulu, billed as an iTunes alternative, and yet they continue to deal with Apple directly as well,” writes Duncan Riley on TechCrunch. “Certainly from the outside its says that Apple/iTunes is still the biggest and best game in town.”
By the way, have you been watching Apple’s stock? Geesh.
December 26th, 2007
This Saturday’s Patriots-Giants game was going to have the least national distribution possible: airing only on the meek NFL Network. But under pressure for political types - the league has offered up the potentially historic game to both CBS and NBC. Now the Pats may finish the season undefeated with people watching on three TV networks. CBS and NBC will air the NFL Network feed. Sen. John Kerry and others pressured the NFL to figure something out - since the league-owned NFL Network is still carried in a tiny tiny number of homes both nationally and in the Patriots and Giants’ markets.
By the way, TV Week says this is the first national NFL simulcast since 1967’s first Super Bowl, when CBS and NBC both carried the game.
December 26th, 2007
That’s right, WTFCNN describes itself as a “hilarious collection of CNN’s often ridiculous headlines.” A few of my favorites: Dismembered man’s kin explode over plea deal… Miners find kryptonite; science dudes rename it… Co-ed strips for her honors thesis, gets a B. (Via Fimoculous)
December 26th, 2007
The first prediction in this article is Google will “move into radio and television at some point,” perhaps even buy a TV network. Hmmm, doubt it.
December 26th, 2007
