Cable TV Networks Encourage New Subscribers

Mar 01

Cable TV providers were panicked initially by the popularity of Hulu.com, an online video viewing service that allows consumers to watch the same TV shows they get on cable, anytime, for free.

Why would viewers continue to pay for their cable membership, the logic goes, if they can get those shows online? Comcast Corp. recently tried to get in on the action by launching a test program that will ask current subscribers to use their account information to access the same shows they enjoy on the boob tube on the Internet instead.

They will not be offering those shows online for free at all; only subscribers will be able to view them. They’re hoping this will incentivize more people to sign up for subscriptions, instead of the current trend in which online options seem to be encouraging current subscribers to cut one more item from their budget.

The eventual goal is for cable networks not to provide their shows for free anymore on channels like Hulu, ad revenue or no ad revenue, though executives say that it’s possible the two can learn to co-exist in some way.

Old shows that are no longer shown on cable may still be available, for example, or cable networks may agree to allow old seasons of current shows to be posted in hopes that viewers will get hooked and start subscribing to see the latest aired show.

If the networks all band together, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to get a lock on online TV show viewers and make illegal uploading of TV shows as dangerous as music sharing became after Napster.

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Local Businesses uses Local and Digital Media Outlets

Nov 30

Traditionally, local businesses have taken advantage of local media outlets to advertise their products and services.

They spend money on ads in the Yellow Pages and the local alt-weekly as well as the major local newspaper and the local magazine publications. As everyone tightens budgets, local outlets are beginning to follow the national companies’ lead in shifting their marketing dollars toward online advertising instead.

This is probably a sound strategy, since studies are showing an increased likelihood that online and digital formats are where their customers will be looking for them. Mobile searches for local services are expected to go up from 27.8% to 35.1% in the next five years, and ad revenue for local searches is expected to improve by 5.8%.

Media outlets are making the shift as well, including putting the Yellow Pages online and launching geo-targeting services that delivers ads based on the mobile user’s zip codes to help them find new businesses in their area. Mobile offers some of the best strategies for local businesses, since simply having a cell phone number implies certain things about your location.

Social media is also on the rise as local businesses put their attention into developing personal relationships with their customers. Always one of the advantages of local businesses has been their personal intimacy, and social media is a great way to let those qualities shine out beyond the people who actually set foot in the store.

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