The following is a slight diversion from the original intent of this blog. In order to satisfy a course requirement, I will be posting assignments here in addition to any news regarding my progress as an independent producer. At some point I may just create another blog dedicated to school work but please bear with me for now. Anyway, the post is sort of related to the topic in that it is an overview of some of the current media technologies.
Television is the most popular mode of media delivery with a presence in more than 99 percent of American homes (March, Guth, & Poovey Short, 2009). Traditionally, the audience was restricted to regional markets but over the past two decades satellite and cable technology along with affordability has increased the international audience to the point that currently almost everyone in the western world has or is otherwise exposed to television programming. Programming is increasingly varied with hundreds of shows produced to reach an equally increasingly segmented audience. However, traditional advertising based television programming is facing increased competition from other forms of entertainment delivery platforms such as DVR, in which viewers can program the recording device to skip the commercials as well as video on demand, video games, and the internet. Also, as mentioned before, viewers are becoming more segmented and actively seeking out specialized content that fits their needs that traditional broadcast networks have trouble producing. Each year millions of dollars are spent producing programs that are often cancelled within a couple of months due to low viewership. On the other hand, series and shows produced for a smaller, specific audience, such as those produced on pay channels such as HBO and Showtime often last years longer with a relatively smaller viewing audience.
Web Sites
Web sites are fast becoming one of the most popular means of presenting information quickly to a wide audience. Anyone can create a website and use it to inform, market goods and services, share opinions and entertain. While television can reach a wide market, the web audience surpasses it in audience diversity that can be worldwide. While television programming is “appointment TV” in which the audience has to schedule time to watch their programs, the web is instantly available to its audience at any time, however, many people surf the web while also watching TV. Web sites also host social media such as blogs and social networks that promote conversation, openness, community and connectness; basically people can use websites to communicate with each other. Web content creators, such as those who create entertainment to be delivered specifically via the web are able to communicate directly with their audience, creating a market for extraneous products as well as a proven audience for potential sponsors.
Blogs
A form of web site, blogs are mainly intended to provide specific, more personal and less traditional commentary on whatever issues the author presents. The audience is just as diverse and varied with blog topics ranging from current events to merely being online diaries of the author’s, or blogger’s, life. Bloggers often invite their readers to comment and interact with the author, which can result in establishing and building a more personal relationship with the audience who may consider the author an authority on whatever topic he/she is writing. Many bloggers have used this process to successfully market services and goods through their blogs as well as used it as a medium to attain celebrity status (i.e.; Perez Hilton). Blog technology has advanced over the past five years to now be able to add features such as videos, links to podcasts (see below) and other blogs similar to their own.
Podcasts
Podcasts are the rising star of media technologies and are fast becoming as viable a means of marketing goods and services as television and radio. Although mostly produced in an aural format, they can also be video, or vodcasts. As with blogs and websites, anyone can produce a podcast and the equipment to do is affordable; all one needs is the right software, a computer, camera (if video) and microphone or other means of producing content. Popular podcasts are beginning to get paid sponsorships by corporations and other business entities with many a podcaster making a decent living by podcasting alone. Notable celebrities that have embraced podcasting as their medium of choice include independent filmmaker Kevin Smith and comedian Adam Carolla. Both have successful podcasts and each host their own podcast networks containing various programs hosted by their celebrity friends. Smith in particular is notable for having expanded his podcasting efforts to a live broadcast network, Smodcast Internet Radio (S.I.R.), beginning in May.
Reference:
March, C, Guth, D, & Poovey Short, B. (2009). Strategic writing; multimedia writing for public relations, advertising, and more. Boston, Mass: Pearson.
Adam Carolla podcast network - http://www.adamcarolla.com/ACPBlog/
Kevin Smith’s podcast network - http://www.newsaskew.com/
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