Intelligence Briefs

The use of digital technology has had a long stretch of rapid growth in the United States. But, a new analysis of data from the Pew Research Center shows that the share of Americans who go online, use social media or own key devices has remained stable over the past two years. What does this mean for marketers -- and, perhaps, for radio and TV sales execs?

Once every so often, RBR+TVBR's Jefe, Eric Rhoads, will forward an item deemed noteworthy to the newsroom. On Thursday, Mr. Rhoads came across an item that grabbed our attention. The article puts into perspective how consumers are using media, and the biggest eye-opener deals with music streaming revenue -- competitive info that could be of keen interest to radio broadcasters.

The ongoing drive for ever-higher resolutions has been a familiar story in the world of video acquisition for many years. But, after IBC 2018, talking about the practical application of 8K is no longer taboo, notes broadcast research analyst Chris Evans. In this report, he addresses whether the world -- and U.S. TV companies -- are ready to tackle the next gen delivery of video programming.

Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner is back with another great column designed to prevent your station's accounts payable department from writing a hefty check to the U.S. Treasury or FCC in response to a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture. 

According to a chief executive of a trucking company, the U.S. "is in the midst of a serious multi-industry labor shortage." Is this not an excellent opportunity for the radio business to strut its stuff and put on a real job fair, strutting its stuff far beyond the 2018 Radio Show in Orlando? Here are "5 Ways To Help You Avoid Today’s Labor Crunch," as they could aid you in the recruitment process.

As part of its efforts to strategize revenue growth prospects for local TV, BIA Advisory Services has examined the Total Addressable Markets (TAM) for broadcast television, versus digital platforms. "It's a tale of two cities," BIA notes in a newly released report that outlines the level of broadcast revenue growth expected by 2022 -- and the total gain in digital revenue expected for local TV.

On September 6, Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner offered readers details of his conversation with a regional Commission engineer who agreed to provide an outline of what, in his view, are the most significant items he looks for when visiting a station during a random inspection. It turns out the FCC engineer had more to share. Here's more from Benner that could help your stations avoid costly forfeitures or U.S Treasury consent decree payments.

Here's something that will likely cause some buzz in the C-Suites of both radio and television broadcasting companies. Westwood One Director of Content Marketing Lauren Vetrano shares the results from "a major cable network’s" advertising campaign that used AM/FM radio to help launch the returning season of a scripted drama series. The media plan included paid TV and promos running on their network and co-owned networks.

So, that great new app that your station now has in the Apple App Store or Google Play download hub ... are your listeners downloading it? If they are, are they keeping it? A just-released report from mobile measurement company Adjust offers three data points to consider when "unmasking uninstalls." They could help your station in getting its app used, and not deleted.

OTT video "has reshaped a successful industry," North Texas-based research firm Parks Associates notes. With that mindset, Parks released a White Paper that analyzes a key focal point for the pay-TV industry: What should it do to regain their title as the No. 1 provider of video services -- including broadcast TV channels -- to U.S. viewers?

The insertion of promos for its shows and movies between episodes of current programs is something Netflix is testing -- resulting in some criticism from its subscribers. But, what if Netflix were to show advertisements, rather than promos? And, what if Netflix bumped its subscription rates by at least $5 per month? Broadcast TV execs may be interested in the answer.

With Hurricane Florence about to hit the East Coast, broadcasters are well reminded of their obligations with respect to the airing of emergency information. As noted attorney David Oxenford points out, broadcasters may also want to consider the benefits that the FCC can offer in an emergency. While the FCC on Monday announced the postponement of its test of DIRS, the Disaster Information Reporting System, broadcasters may want to consider quickly getting familiar with this system.

Curious as to the power and influence of digital streaming shows in the U.S. and on a global level? The newly released Global SVOD TV Demand Report from Parrot Analytics is chock full of competitive data and intelligence that could help shape the content on your over-the-air broadcast outlets as well as your social media and OTT streams.

For the first five years conducting “Alternative FCC Compliance Certification Inspections,” 90% of the questions asked to featured columnist Ken Benner pertained to FCC required Public Files. The same percentage of individuals, he adds, "had virtually no idea of what was required or where to turn for information to be compliant." Here's what you need to avoid a potential fine.

On the final Thursday in August, thousands of households sharpened their pencils and got out their diaries. Just as they have since 1954, a representative sample of American viewers began meticulously documenting their television habits. It signals just one thing: sweeps. But, do sweeps still matter? This guest columnist seeks to answer the question.