Intelligence Briefs

In 2018, average daily viewing time for TV stood at 2 hours and 55 minutes in the 94 countries studied by Eurodata TV Worldwide. That figure was one minute shorter than in 2017, and this "overall stability" conceals disparities between different regions of the world.

Erwin Krasnow and Doug Ferber have penned a four-part series of articles exclusively for RBR+TVBR readers on ensuring a smooth closing. In this concluding article, Krasnow and Ferber discuss how to make the closing of a broadcast deal a dream, as opposed to a nightmare.

"It all began in the summer of 1964, when hundreds of radio and television stations received an envelope addressed simply to the 'Chief Engineer,' postmarked Cleveland, Ohio." That's how columnist Ken Benner begins his latest installment -- a tribute to the Society of Broadcast Engineers.

Specialists in local media buying and planning are looking at data-driven and advanced TV solutions to help clients reach their customers in new ways. It is one key takeaway from a survey of FreeWheel's Strata platform users, most of whom work in local ad planning and buying. 

Over the past 50 years and thousands of station visits, Ken Benner has encountered the best and worst among the broadcasting industry. Past columns were focused on the premise that the most professional individual at the top of this list is one willing to share unselfishly his talent and experience with his/her colleagues, he says. "I suspect I have found the individual at the top of this list."

The spread of COVID-19, and the responses of industry and governments alike, is unprecedented. It is, however, the restrictions on movement of people along with the response of consumers and investors that is causing the biggest disruption and will have the most impact on entertainment businesses. Here, MIDiA explores the potential near- and mid-term impact of COVID-19 the sector.

Disney has been "rightly rewarded" for what noted financial analyst Michael Nathanson calls its "full commitment and now stellar execution of their pivot to Direct-to-Consumer services." In contrast, despite Fox’s "solid" first year featuring 7% affiliate growth, "the company has no such narrative," Nathanson declared. Investors listened.

A consumer lifestyle survey conducted by Nielsen Audio found that 53% of Americans believe life is starting to normalize, they are more likely to resume typical activities and are starting to shop more as restrictions permit. That doesn’t mean, however, that these consumers are disregarding health and safety. Here's the latest on what heavy radio listeners are buying.

Here's something you may find weird: The time spent watching television increased across 2020. Yet, eMarketer analysis finds, viewership "plummeted" last year. The data suggest television was punished by COVID-19 in very much the same way broadcast Radio was.

While the "whip antenna" on two General Motors truck lines gets attention for the one and only reason the automotive company kept it there for its newest models, GM is also attracting eyeballs for something that could eventually impact in-car audio consumption. Self-driving vehicles are coming.

As the competition for consumer attention heats up with traditional, big-tent broadcasters continuing to launch their own streaming services — i.e. Peacock, Paramount+, and Discovery+ — one big question arises. How can local TV broadcast networks stay competitive with streaming apps of their own?

MoffettNathanson Senior Analyst Michael Nathanson is not sure who to trust: ad agencies who dismiss supply chain woes as a worry or some of their biggest clients, who believe they'll slice their ad dollars because of the problem. "We believe the difference in these views is that the agencies are not just exposed to media spend, but have a variety of businesses serving broader marketing needs for their clients," he notes.

Are you a bilingual executive who struggles with a marked accent when speaking in English? Does presenting on Zoom make it worse? "Zoom expert" and veteran public relations executive Rosemary Ravinal offers three quick fixes to help you communicate your authentic personality and expertise without needing to reduce your accent.

"If you hem and haw when you present, you are hedging and tagging and unconsciously chipping away at your ability to command the room," says "Zoom" expert Rosemary Ravinal. In this column, the public relations veteran offers some great tips on great public speaking.

As the radio industry prepares to gather in New York at a reimagined NAB New York conference that, in many ways, is a successor to the Radio Show, longtime New England radio station broadcast advisor and licensee Clark Smidt offers a reminiscence — and fresh ideas — for Radio as its 2022-2023 programming and advertising season commences.