Intelligence Briefs

Of the 57 pages of informational handouts Alternative Broadcast Inspector and Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner also carries with him when visiting every radio or TV station is one that he's pleased to share with RBR+TVBR readers today.

Analyst Michael Nathanson believes that while the industry is under siege from accelerating cord-cutting and audience erosion, "Fox’s laser focus on live sports and news content is the right strategy to drive higher per subscriber pricing and more stable viewership trends."

Ahh ... the Public File booklet. Everybody loves that required 34-page item that must be provided, at no charge, for anyone asking for it, right?  Well, like it or not, Ken Benner says it is an "absolute must read for all of us involved to any extent in broadcasting." And, it's just been "substantially updated."

With discussion heating up that NBCUniversal's Peacock will abandon a subscription tier and stick with an ad-supported platform, there's much anticipation -- and apprehension, for some -- as to what will transpire for video-fueled media in 2020. If you're a broadcaster or MVPD operator, this report is essential reading.

In America's five largest cities, some 48% of residents now speak a language other than English at home. If you own a broadcast media property, in particular in such locales as Chicago, Houston, or Phoenix, perhaps offering content appealing to these consumers would be prudent.

When's the last time your broadcast TV or radio station demonstrated how YOUR BRANDS can connect you with more customers than any other media company? If this is done during each client interaction session, that's great. But, what about over a three-day "must attend" event?

The online video market as a whole is working "to put the nail in the coffin of broadcast TV," says a just-released State of Online Video report that purports to reveal that over-the-top video delivery vehicles are making headway. Is this report yet another biased look at digital TV?

Some 87% of Gen Zers are worried for the environment and the planet, according to the 2019 Porter Novelli/Cone Gen Z Purpose Study. The study, surveying Americans ages 14-22, examines this emerging generation's expectations of and attitudes toward company involvement in social and environmental issues. It could shape the programming on your radio or TV station. 

One common question presented to Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner in his quarter-century of work as an Alternative Broadcast Inspector is this: How can we be more financially successful with our station(s)? He has one simple answer: Content, content, content.

At the MIPCOM trade show, Glance (Global Audience & Content Evolution) unveiled the latest trends that are drawing the young adult audiences in. We've got a look a what Glance, from France's Mediametrie, shared.

As new video platforms continue to proliferate and entertainment trends evolve, children are consuming increasing amounts of content from a wider variety of sources, and often multi-tasking to fit more in. That’s according to the latest Kids Tech consumer survey results from Futuresource Consulting.

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. 

Deloitte’s Telecom, Media & Entertainment Industry Sector Leader for Audit & Assurance explores in this exclusive column the important accounting changes taking place in the TV industry, and the implications these changes will have for CFOs of broadcast TV organizations and their finance departments.

Long before featured columnist Ken Benner began writing about "the abuse of the media and, in particular, broadcasting," he focused on consumer financial abuse. This fueled his desire to fight for radio and TV station owners. In this column, his discontent with Capitol Hill leaders continues.

"Fox’s early life as a new company has been nothing short of disappointing." Ouch. That's the assessment of the reborn Fox Corporation from Michael Nathanson, who laments that Fox has been hurt by multiple headwinds. As such, it has been able "to prove the superiority of their strategy and assets."