Comments on: Ted Leonsis on The State of the Television Industry http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/ Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:52:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Robert Seidman http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-259032 Robert Seidman Tue, 13 May 2008 06:28:02 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-259032 There are many shows well suited to copious product placement (Entourage is certainly one of them, and I'm sure they're making something on it). I agree that the music industry is the better comparison in some ways. But I think Ted used newspapers (and I stuck with it) because the hubris of record company executives didn't initially involve a lot of talk about managing margins to the point where the overall products sometimes gets a lot worse.<br><br>The recording industry was more: "Internet bad, let's take these people to court!"<br><br>The video industry overall is going to have to do two things:<br>1. Give people more/better/easier control over content they have purchased<br>2. make the content a lot cheaper<br><br>My TV portion of the my cable bill is roughly $100 bucks including HD, expanded content, etc. This will need to get down to around $29.95 and the industry will fight like hell to prevent #1 & #2 above until they 're absolutely sure there's no other way to make money. It's not easy because many existing revenue streams will go away completely (DVD for the most part, for example). I still think people will value the experience of the movie theater because people like "going out", but DVD revenues are fueling a lot of the movies currently it seems.<br><br>It's also not just one industry involved. Cable/sat providers, cable networks, broadcast networks. Getting all of them to agree on something other than preserving revenue streams will be a difficult road! There are many shows well suited to copious product placement (Entourage is certainly one of them, and I'm sure they're making something on it). I agree that the music industry is the better comparison in some ways. But I think Ted used newspapers (and I stuck with it) because the hubris of record company executives didn't initially involve a lot of talk about managing margins to the point where the overall products sometimes gets a lot worse.

The recording industry was more: “Internet bad, let's take these people to court!”

The video industry overall is going to have to do two things:
1. Give people more/better/easier control over content they have purchased
2. make the content a lot cheaper

My TV portion of the my cable bill is roughly $100 bucks including HD, expanded content, etc. This will need to get down to around $29.95 and the industry will fight like hell to prevent #1 & #2 above until they 're absolutely sure there's no other way to make money. It's not easy because many existing revenue streams will go away completely (DVD for the most part, for example). I still think people will value the experience of the movie theater because people like “going out”, but DVD revenues are fueling a lot of the movies currently it seems.

It's also not just one industry involved. Cable/sat providers, cable networks, broadcast networks. Getting all of them to agree on something other than preserving revenue streams will be a difficult road!

]]> By: Andrea http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-259033 Andrea Tue, 13 May 2008 06:13:34 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-259033 can "sponsor" an ad<br><br>Edit: can "sponsor" a show can “sponsor” an ad

Edit: can “sponsor” a show

]]> By: Andrea http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-259034 Andrea Tue, 13 May 2008 06:08:54 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-259034 This is a very interesting thread. The newspaper industry is a good example, but I think what is happening with the music industry is an even better one. The industry is seemingly giving up fighting against peer to peer music sharing and looking for a way to profit on the new technologies. NBC and FOX seem to be experimenting with new formats such as Hulu with its banner and 15 sec ad spots. I don't know how you can "sponsor" an ad and make it free without copious product placement, however. This is a very interesting thread. The newspaper industry is a good example, but I think what is happening with the music industry is an even better one. The industry is seemingly giving up fighting against peer to peer music sharing and looking for a way to profit on the new technologies. NBC and FOX seem to be experimenting with new formats such as Hulu with its banner and 15 sec ad spots. I don't know how you can “sponsor” an ad and make it free without copious product placement, however.

]]> By: dave http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-259035 dave Tue, 13 May 2008 05:29:09 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-259035 Bill is right, if you want viewers to watch live, the program has to either live or have incentives to watch live.<br><br>A few ideas<br>1. live cast-audience interaction<br>2. codes that are good for free dls of songs featured in the show. codes could be given out during commercials and be could for a limited time after the show.<br>3. discounts on advertised products that work in the same way as the songs Bill is right, if you want viewers to watch live, the program has to either live or have incentives to watch live.

A few ideas
1. live cast-audience interaction
2. codes that are good for free dls of songs featured in the show. codes could be given out during commercials and be could for a limited time after the show.
3. discounts on advertised products that work in the same way as the songs

]]> By: Robert Seidman http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-259036 Robert Seidman Tue, 13 May 2008 04:05:44 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-259036 Back when I was more crunched for time and generally watched shows the same night they aired, I always waited 20 minutes so that I could zoom through commercials. Not so much just because I wanted to avoid the ads -- I wanted to save the time.<br><br>Bill, the #1 most overall DVR'd show (American Idol) in our most recent top 20 was live, at least on the east coast, but.the data still backs you up as it wasn't among the top 20 DVR'd shows as a percentage of overall viewing, nor was any other live (in any time zone) show on that list.<br><br><a href="http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/the-office-leads-broadcast-shows-w-434-time-shifting-gain/3725" rel="nofollow">http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/the-office...</a> Back when I was more crunched for time and generally watched shows the same night they aired, I always waited 20 minutes so that I could zoom through commercials. Not so much just because I wanted to avoid the ads — I wanted to save the time.

Bill, the #1 most overall DVR'd show (American Idol) in our most recent top 20 was live, at least on the east coast, but.the data still backs you up as it wasn't among the top 20 DVR'd shows as a percentage of overall viewing, nor was any other live (in any time zone) show on that list.

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/the-office…

]]> By: Bill Gorman http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-259037 Bill Gorman Tue, 13 May 2008 03:58:06 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-259037 James, I occasionally do that with sports as well. Still, I think that live events are less likely to be recorded than others. James, I occasionally do that with sports as well. Still, I think that live events are less likely to be recorded than others.

]]> By: James B. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-259038 James B. Tue, 13 May 2008 03:38:59 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-259038 I have two friend with DVRs who both claim that they will start watching an event 30 minutes to an hour after it started and then just fast forward through the commercials. I have two friend with DVRs who both claim that they will start watching an event 30 minutes to an hour after it started and then just fast forward through the commercials.

]]> By: Bill Gorman http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-259039 Bill Gorman Tue, 13 May 2008 02:33:20 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-259039 I've long agreed with Robert about the increasing value of sports programming in the DVR world. I'm also going to guess that broadcast television will do a bit of a return to the past at some point and try increased use of live shows as well, and if they were smart, include some level of real time audience involvement online.<br><br>I don't think live entertainment shows will have the same value proposition as live sports, but they'll appeal to different, and possibly larger, audiences and also be recording resistant. I've long agreed with Robert about the increasing value of sports programming in the DVR world. I'm also going to guess that broadcast television will do a bit of a return to the past at some point and try increased use of live shows as well, and if they were smart, include some level of real time audience involvement online.

I don't think live entertainment shows will have the same value proposition as live sports, but they'll appeal to different, and possibly larger, audiences and also be recording resistant.

]]> By: Robert Seidman http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-15068 Robert Seidman Tue, 13 May 2008 01:28:02 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-15068 There are many shows well suited to copious product placement (Entourage is certainly one of them, and I'm sure they're making something on it). I agree that the music industry is the better comparison in some ways. But I think Ted used newspapers (and I stuck with it) because the hubris of record company executives didn't initially involve a lot of talk about managing margins to the point where the overall products sometimes gets a lot worse.<br><br>The recording industry was more: "Internet bad, let's take these people to court!"<br><br>The video industry overall is going to have to do two things:<br>1. Give people more/better/easier control over content they have purchased<br>2. make the content a lot cheaper<br><br>My TV portion of the my cable bill is roughly $100 bucks including HD, expanded content, etc. This will need to get down to around $29.95 and the industry will fight like hell to prevent #1 & #2 above until they 're absolutely sure there's no other way to make money. It's not easy because many existing revenue streams will go away completely (DVD for the most part, for example). I still think people will value the experience of the movie theater because people like "going out", but DVD revenues are fueling a lot of the movies currently it seems.<br><br>It's also not just one industry involved. Cable/sat providers, cable networks, broadcast networks. Getting all of them to agree on something other than preserving revenue streams will be a difficult road! There are many shows well suited to copious product placement (Entourage is certainly one of them, and I'm sure they're making something on it). I agree that the music industry is the better comparison in some ways. But I think Ted used newspapers (and I stuck with it) because the hubris of record company executives didn't initially involve a lot of talk about managing margins to the point where the overall products sometimes gets a lot worse.

The recording industry was more: “Internet bad, let's take these people to court!”

The video industry overall is going to have to do two things:
1. Give people more/better/easier control over content they have purchased
2. make the content a lot cheaper

My TV portion of the my cable bill is roughly $100 bucks including HD, expanded content, etc. This will need to get down to around $29.95 and the industry will fight like hell to prevent #1 & #2 above until they 're absolutely sure there's no other way to make money. It's not easy because many existing revenue streams will go away completely (DVD for the most part, for example). I still think people will value the experience of the movie theater because people like “going out”, but DVD revenues are fueling a lot of the movies currently it seems.

It's also not just one industry involved. Cable/sat providers, cable networks, broadcast networks. Getting all of them to agree on something other than preserving revenue streams will be a difficult road!

]]> By: Andrea http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-14355 Andrea Tue, 13 May 2008 01:13:34 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-14355 can "sponsor" an ad<br><br>Edit: can "sponsor" a show can “sponsor” an ad

Edit: can “sponsor” a show

]]> By: dave http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-14354 dave Tue, 13 May 2008 00:29:09 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-14354 Bill is right, if you want viewers to watch live, the program has to either live or have incentives to watch live.<br><br>A few ideas<br>1. live cast-audience interaction<br>2. codes that are good for free dls of songs featured in the show. codes could be given out during commercials and be could for a limited time after the show.<br>3. discounts on advertised products that work in the same way as the songs Bill is right, if you want viewers to watch live, the program has to either live or have incentives to watch live.

A few ideas
1. live cast-audience interaction
2. codes that are good for free dls of songs featured in the show. codes could be given out during commercials and be could for a limited time after the show.
3. discounts on advertised products that work in the same way as the songs

]]> By: Bill Gorman http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-14353 Bill Gorman Mon, 12 May 2008 22:58:06 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-14353 James, I occasionally do that with sports as well. Still, I think that live events are less likely to be recorded than others. James, I occasionally do that with sports as well. Still, I think that live events are less likely to be recorded than others.

]]> By: James B. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730/comment-page-1/#comment-14352 James B. Mon, 12 May 2008 22:38:59 +0000 http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/ted-leonsis-on-the-state-of-the-television-industry/3730#comment-14352 I have two friend with DVRs who both claim that they will start watching an event 30 minutes to an hour after it started and then just fast forward through the commercials. I have two friend with DVRs who both claim that they will start watching an event 30 minutes to an hour after it started and then just fast forward through the commercials.

]]>