Zucker takes sucker punch at print reporters

“The thing they want is for the [TV news] business to die faster [than the newspaper business], because that’s what makes them feel better.”

That’s NBCU chief Jeff Zucker’s take on why print reporters have gone after NBC News’ efforts to downsize and adjust to changing viewership patterns.

1 comment February 28th, 2008

Bush presser kept off NBC to benefit MSNBC

If it wasn’t obvious before, NBC signaled that everything after 7:25am on the Today show is no-news zone. President Bush held a news conference in the 10 a.m. ET hour - which was carried on ABC, CBS and all the cable news nets. But not NBC - which is the only of the broadcast networks airing a “news” program at that time. “We’re trying to make MSNBC the place to go for NBC News, and the strategy is working,” NBC News VP in charge of Today and MSNBC told the AP. Even on the West Coast - where the speech aired during Today’s first hour, the speech and Q&A didn’t appear.

4 comments February 28th, 2008

‘First Flash-driven site’ for pro sports

The Seattle Sonics have just debuted a new site, Supersonics.com, that they say is the “first Flash-driven site in major professional team sports.” The site took 2,000 hours and $100k to build, and it’s certainly a unique experience. “It is a much more immersive and high fidelity experience,” said Cypress Consulting founder Nate Thompson, the Seattle-based company that helped a Sonics developer build the site. The Sonics, meanwhile, say it’s “a whole new paradigm in how sports teams present their brands.”

What do you think of these Flashy designs for “brand experience” environments? Cool? Or lacking speed and utility?

20 comments February 28th, 2008

Hulu to add Warner Brothers content?

While Hulu is still not out of beta, it’s a great site. I’ve watched many shows, and enjoy the experience. Well, that experience might get even better as more content is added. According to NewTeeVee, Warner Brothers will add their programs to Hulu. WB produces several shows on their co-owned CW, as well as shows on other networks. It’s unclear if movies would be included too.

2 comments February 28th, 2008

Study on local TV news ads, websites

Hearst-Argyle and Magid teamed up for a research study (of local news viewers 25-54) that drilled down on the effectiveness of ads in TV newscasts compared to other programming. “Respondents reported that ads on local TV news drive greater product/service awareness than those within any other program type,” reads a press release previewing the results. The same study also looked at the power of local TV websites. “After search engines, local TV news websites are the most frequently used for local news and weather.” And interestingly, the study found that “online video viewing of local TV news content is higher than that for any other genre,” 37% for local news compared to 31% each for cable news and primetime programming.

Update: Aaron points out in comments that the study was isolated to local news viewers, 25-54, which naturally would result in a local TV skew. This is one of the biggest dangers, in my opinion, of local TV research. By limiting the sample to TV viewers, we’re missing some of the more disturbing trends in our industry. For example, why is an increasing number of 20 and 30-somethings not watching local TV news? Is it just because of the internet, or it also because of a “live, local and latebreaking” style that these same consultants have spread across the country? What can local media operations — don’t call them local TV stations, anymore — do to get in front of this? I do, however, applaud the effort to trumpet the many positives of local TV news programming and local TV websites, two terrific platforms for local advertisers.

More nuggets in the press release below…

Read the full post 19 comments February 28th, 2008

Briefs: iPhone, NBC Direct, MSNBC, TMZ

-   Apple to announce “exciting new enteprise features” for iPhone
-   NBC Direct revamping with P2P deal with Pando Networks
-   MSNBC sets all-time ratings record with Democratic debate
-   TMZ-branded video channel to debut on MySpace

Add comment February 28th, 2008