This New York Times article reported today that the network most of us have become more familiar with over the past year-and-a-half has fallen to an all-time low as far as prime-time cable news ratings go.
The article stated that in its 30 years of existence, CNN has never received primetime ratings this low; three of its four prime time (7pm to 11pm) shows finished last in total viewers, causing CNN to finish last as a network behind Fox News, MSNBC, and HLN for the third month in the last year.
Adding insult to injury, HLN is a sister network of CNN that even has some of CNN's former TV show hosts who transferred over, meaning CNN is losing to a network it helped create and establish.
The article goes on to make a good point pertaining to the reason CNN is slipping. The recent conflict between the White House/MSNBC and Fox News has increased the popularity of the news networks involved. Because CNN is basically a neutral network, it suffers by losing the interest of viewers.
I guess that even though it is news, MSNBC and Fox News are more opinion-based, which means they are more a form of entertainment than CNN. This proves that in TV, just like in music, print, or any form of media, controversy increases sales (or in this case, viewers).
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Digital Media Revolution, Continued
We've all heard of how digital is taking over as the dominant form of media, replacing analog. From mp3's replacing CD's and tapes to online movies, TV, and blogs replacing traditional film, TV, and print, the digital revolution isn't exactly new to this generation.
But, just when you thought you'd heard it all, enter the e-book. Short for electronic book, the e-book is re-introducing leisure reading to all generations. According to this article, people like the man featured in the story are reading more than ever thanks to the newest e-book device called the 'Kindle'. The device basically acts as a digital book that is as portable as a cell phone, but physically bigger to accomodate readers.
The article also points out that much like the music and film industries, the publishing industry has also been going through a decline in sales. With the advent of the e-book the industry may have to do just as other industries are doing; adapt, and find ways to turn a decline back around into a rise of profits.
But, just when you thought you'd heard it all, enter the e-book. Short for electronic book, the e-book is re-introducing leisure reading to all generations. According to this article, people like the man featured in the story are reading more than ever thanks to the newest e-book device called the 'Kindle'. The device basically acts as a digital book that is as portable as a cell phone, but physically bigger to accomodate readers.
The article also points out that much like the music and film industries, the publishing industry has also been going through a decline in sales. With the advent of the e-book the industry may have to do just as other industries are doing; adapt, and find ways to turn a decline back around into a rise of profits.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Magazine Industry's Most Prestigious Awards Go Digital (Just Like Everything Else...)
It appears that in the midst of a worldwide digital revolution, where so far we've seen television, movies, music, radio and print go digital, those involved in mass media have taken another step toward the future. According to this article, The National Magazine Awards will announce tomorrow that 12 new categories will be added strictly for online material.
"Podcasters, rejoice, for you are now eligible for a National Magazine Award."
The article notes that the prestigious National Magazine Awards have been around since 1966. 43 years later, the highest honor for magazine writers will now be available to online magazine writers as well. The new categories will include mobile media, news reporting, podcasting, and more. Though the awards will have their own seperate event a couple weeks before the annual awards show where the older, more distinguished awards are given out, this is still a big step for digital media.
"Podcasters, rejoice, for you are now eligible for a National Magazine Award."
The article notes that the prestigious National Magazine Awards have been around since 1966. 43 years later, the highest honor for magazine writers will now be available to online magazine writers as well. The new categories will include mobile media, news reporting, podcasting, and more. Though the awards will have their own seperate event a couple weeks before the annual awards show where the older, more distinguished awards are given out, this is still a big step for digital media.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Grim Future for Canada's Largest Media Conglomerate
Just in case anyone thought the economic problems were limited to America, this past Tuesday Canada's largest media company successfully went bankrupt. According to the New York Times article, Canwest Global Communications was granted bankruptcy protection in a Toronto court yesterday.
The main subsidiaries of the conglomerate are its newspaper, The National Post, and its national television network. This ruling will most likely result in a sale of the company, the article states. The focal point in the reason for filing for bankruptcy is the company's debt; 4 billion Canadian dollars owed and counting. The family that owns the business said that they would provide 15 million of the 65 million required to get the company back up and running, but Canadian law states that no one outside of the country can acquire ownership of Canadian media properties and holdings, according to the article.
The article clearly provides a perfect example of how the economic crisis isn't just a U.S. problem, it's an 'us' problem, per say, meaning it's beginning to involve everyone in the world more and more. It went from the housing market, to just plain greed, to just plain bad business owning practices. Are the wrong people in control of the wealth in the world? Opinion reserved, the facts should speak for themselves.
The main subsidiaries of the conglomerate are its newspaper, The National Post, and its national television network. This ruling will most likely result in a sale of the company, the article states. The focal point in the reason for filing for bankruptcy is the company's debt; 4 billion Canadian dollars owed and counting. The family that owns the business said that they would provide 15 million of the 65 million required to get the company back up and running, but Canadian law states that no one outside of the country can acquire ownership of Canadian media properties and holdings, according to the article.
The article clearly provides a perfect example of how the economic crisis isn't just a U.S. problem, it's an 'us' problem, per say, meaning it's beginning to involve everyone in the world more and more. It went from the housing market, to just plain greed, to just plain bad business owning practices. Are the wrong people in control of the wealth in the world? Opinion reserved, the facts should speak for themselves.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Warner Music Group and YouTube finally come to an agreement
Late last year, Warner Music Group and YouTube failed to come to an agreement regarding the compensation of Warner and its employees. Because of this, Warner decided to pull of its music from YouTube immediately. Basically, it was a classic case of the major label wanting more money for its employees' product.
Up until today, with an agreement finally being made, there was no way for fans to legally see brand new videos from their favorite artists such as Jay-Z, Green Day, Cassie, Eric Clapton, Diddy, Fall Out Boy, Guns n' Roses, etc. According to the article, Warner accounts for one-fifth of the total revenue for the recording industry (Atlantic Records, one of Warner's subsidiaries, is the number one record label in the U.S. according to SoundScan)
The main issue in the dispute was the value of the music videos, which are produced by the label and/or its employees. Warner saw huge value in the videos on YouTube because not only did they attract fans to the website, but they also attracted advertisers who saw potential customers in the viewers and invested money into YouTube. Warner saw it as unfair because they were not being paid any of the money that advertisers paid YouTube to advertise to Warner's customers drawn to YouTube because of the product that Warner provided for free, until today.
With CD sales declining, Warner and YouTube see this as a win-win situation. Warner plans on allowing the music to be put back on YouTube before the year is over. They also plan to attract even more viewers with brand new high definition videos, links to artist websites and new merchandise available to consumers. So, in a sense Warner has become its own YouTube advertiser.
Up until today, with an agreement finally being made, there was no way for fans to legally see brand new videos from their favorite artists such as Jay-Z, Green Day, Cassie, Eric Clapton, Diddy, Fall Out Boy, Guns n' Roses, etc. According to the article, Warner accounts for one-fifth of the total revenue for the recording industry (Atlantic Records, one of Warner's subsidiaries, is the number one record label in the U.S. according to SoundScan)
The main issue in the dispute was the value of the music videos, which are produced by the label and/or its employees. Warner saw huge value in the videos on YouTube because not only did they attract fans to the website, but they also attracted advertisers who saw potential customers in the viewers and invested money into YouTube. Warner saw it as unfair because they were not being paid any of the money that advertisers paid YouTube to advertise to Warner's customers drawn to YouTube because of the product that Warner provided for free, until today.
With CD sales declining, Warner and YouTube see this as a win-win situation. Warner plans on allowing the music to be put back on YouTube before the year is over. They also plan to attract even more viewers with brand new high definition videos, links to artist websites and new merchandise available to consumers. So, in a sense Warner has become its own YouTube advertiser.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Lawsuit Over Water-Drinking Death, Right or Wrong?
Just over 2 1/2 years ago, Jennifer Strange willingly entered a contest that was to be broadcast live on the radio. The contest simply involved Jennifer consuming large amounts of water, which ultimately would be the cause of her death. She left behind a family of three children and a husband who is suing the radio station for a seven figure amount. The question is, who is at fault?
Looking at the facts, the woman died from overconsumption of water. But, even though she didn't know it would kill her, she overconsumed willingly. From the radio station's perspective, the contest rules were created "on the spot" and the woman participated at her own risk. From the family's perspective, the radio station should've known this was harmful and potentially fatal. Does this isolated incident mean that radio shows like these are unethical? One could definitely make that argument. It's just a shame that it took for someone to lose their life to see that.
-J. Everett Scott
Looking at the facts, the woman died from overconsumption of water. But, even though she didn't know it would kill her, she overconsumed willingly. From the radio station's perspective, the contest rules were created "on the spot" and the woman participated at her own risk. From the family's perspective, the radio station should've known this was harmful and potentially fatal. Does this isolated incident mean that radio shows like these are unethical? One could definitely make that argument. It's just a shame that it took for someone to lose their life to see that.
-J. Everett Scott
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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