What are some of the things linear
broadcasting and cable networks are doing to attract and keep viewers? How have
these efforts helped them compete with SVOD services? In 3 – 5 years, what do
you expect the TV industry to look like and what role will broadcast/cable/streaming
play? Limit: 11 responses
Max Marino
ReplyDeleteQuestion #1
As we hit the year 2020, it is evident that more people are starting to become cord-cutters and moving away from the traditional style of cabled television. We are now in a stream-friendly world. Streaming services are starting to take over because people simply do not want to spend all that money for cable, when they don’t watch any of the channels they pay for. A lot of people, including myself, only use cable for live sports. However, Hulu now has added live sports, so streaming services can even win in that regard. Sooner or later it seems like cable is going to completely die out, and streaming services will officially take over.
It seems like even cable companies are starting to understand this process. In an article written by Alex Sherman for CNBC, he highlighted a small cable company located in Arizona called “Cable-one.” Sherman notes in this article that Cable-one owners don’t really care if people are calling to cancel their subscription. Not only have they not made an effort to get Viacom channels on their service, but when people call and cancel their subscription, the “sales representatives offer over-the-top video services like YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV or other services to help inform customers what their options are.” While their video revenue continues to decline, it seems like this company is accepting defeat.
There are two main things that people seemingly use live television for in today’s age: live sports, and the news. In an article written by Nellie Andreeva and Ted Johnson for Deadline, they highlight just that point. “Cable news networks Fox News and MSNBC and sports-focused ESPN repeated as 1-2-3 atop all basic cable networks in total viewers in Live+7 Nielsen ratings for 2019.” To me, it is not a coincidence as to why these networks remain at the top of the cable networks in terms of ratings. It is because you can not get these shows on streaming services. All other network shows that are for entertainment you can find on pretty much any streaming service. The days of live premiers are dying out. “Many of today’s kids started using tablets and smart phones before they could talk and never got exposed to traditional TV – instead watching everything online.” TV simply is not the phenomenon it used to once be.
Shelly Tan wrote an article for the Washington Post called “Your Guide to new ways to watch TV in 2019.” In this article, she highlights some streaming services you could and should use over cable networks. In 2019, after doing a survey out of 100%, Netflix topped the charts for the most popular platform for watching TV at 39.7%. Cable TV networks were next at 20%, but another streaming service in Youtube was at 17%, not too far behind. Shelly goes into more detail about services such as Dinsey+, Apple TV, Hulu, etc. The cost difference between these services and cable are night and day. We are in a generation where the consumer wants to consume what they want, whenever they want it. In 3-5 years, this will not go away. If anything is going to go away, it is going to be cable.
Max Marino Sources:
ReplyDeleteAndreeva, Nellie, and Ted Johnson. “Cable Ratings 2019: Fox News Tops Total Viewers, ESPN Wins 18-49 Demo As Entertainment Networks Slide.” Deadline, 27 Dec. 2019, deadline.com/2019/12/cable-ratings-2019-list-fox-news-total-viewers-espn-18-49-demo-1202817561/.
“Your Guide to New Ways to Watch TV in 2019.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 31 Oct. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/entertainment/new-streaming-services-2019/?wpisrc=nl_headlines&%3Bwpmm=1
Sherman , Alex. “The Future of Cable May Be No TV at All, as One Small Company from Arizona Shows.” CNBC, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2019, www.cnbc.com/2019/03/03/cable-future-may-not-include-tv-as-cable-one-shows.html
Quinn Frankel (Part 1)
ReplyDeleteI remember waking up as a kid and the only thing I could watch is whatever was on live TV or what was on the DVR. If I wanted to watch The Simpsons I would have to re-watch past episodes that were already recorded, or pray that they were on live TV (when FX had the constant Simpsons marathon I was in heaven). Nowadays it’s all streaming, streaming, and streaming! Although streaming is taking over, Cable TV is going to stick around whether we like it or not. “An estimated 33 million Americans cut the cord on cable in 2018 (Tan)”. Cable companies are noticing this trend and are trying to find alternative to keeping millions of Americans on board with cable. In 2011, 18-24-year-old Americans were watching “about 24 hours a week of traditional television, whether live or time-shifted with a DVR. By 2016, that number had dropped to about 15 hours a week (Ascheim).”
The power of live sports and broadcast news current keep Cable TV relevant. In the 18-49 demographics in 2019, “ESPN was No.1 with an average of 730,000 viewers (Andreeva).” Outside of ESPN winning the ratings war, “Cable news network’s Fox News and MSNBC were right behind ESPN in total viewers in live +7 Nielsen ratings (Andreeva).” Although it seems that our future is headed towards completely cutting cords, live sports and broadcast news still draw in ratings that keep cable alive. Streaming services sometimes have a delay which audience members may find annoying to deal with. Especially when watching live sports and following the game on social media, audience members may feel annoyed with the delay and can get the game spoiled for them.
As audience members have more and more options, the programming on SVOD services is still from cable TV. “About 85% of the programming that people watch on Netflix at the moment is not Netflix shows. It’s other people’s shows (Ascheim).” Audience members love a good bundle, it’s an extremely efficient way to get all the content you love for cheap, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing more bundles in the next 3-5 years. When Disney plus entered the streaming world, they created a bundle with ESPN plus and Hulu all for $12.99 a month. As Disney plus hits 26.5 million paid subscribers (Jarvey), both ESPN + and Hulu have seen a drastic increase in subscribers since the deal came into place. 36% of Disney Plus subscribers signed up with the Hulu and ESPN plus package (Jarvey).
Quinn Frankel - Part 2
DeleteTelevision shows can now be delivered in plenty of different ways, within the next 3-5 years the cable universe is going to look a lot more like a streaming service. SVOD services are starting to get launched from places like Comcast, and they’ve been mergering more and more in recent years. Networks are going to try and model their platforms with similar features as SVOD services.
Sources:
Andreeva, Nellie, “Cable Ratings 2019: Fox News Tops Total Viewers, ESPN Wins 18-49 Demo As Entertainment Networks Slide.” Deadline, 27 Dec. 2019, deadline.com/2019/12/cable-ratings-2019-list-fox-news-total-viewers-espn-18-49-demo-1202817561/.
“Your Guide to New Ways to Watch TV in 2019.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 31 Oct. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/entertainment/new-streaming-services-2019/?wpisrc=nl_headlines&wpmm=1.
“What's the Future of Television?” Yale Insights, 7 Feb. 2020, insights.som.yale.edu/insights/what-s-the-future-of-television.
Jarvey, Natalie. “Disney Hits 28.6 Million Paid Subscribers Since Launch.” The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2020, www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-hits-265-million-paid-subscribers-launch-1276320?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social.
ReplyDeletePART 1 (KALEY NESCI)- Linear broadcasting is essentially “real-time” TV, meaning all of broadcast television falls under the category as linear. Unfortunately, with today’s generation of watcher’s, people tend to lean towards streaming services and other outlets in order to consume their share of television.
Linear broadcasters and similar cable networks are finding ways in order to keep views up and to keep attracting customers. “To remain relevant, linear broadcasters will have to look into the possibilities of programmatic and VOD elements – not only for content recommendations, but also for better advertising opportunities.” (BSGROUP) There are companies that are currently doing this already and are finding great success. Another key advantage that linear broadcasting and cable networks have is the ability to target advertisements to the consumers specific wants and needs. With these types of advertisements, it makes the viewers pay more attention to what is on the television because they are simply more interested and can relate depending on the topic of the advertisement.
Sadly, live television is just simply not the same as it used to be years ago. With this new generation most shows, and movies are watched from streaming services, rather than traditional cable and broadcast networks. I think this has to do with the whole go, go, go, lifestyle that most of us live. When we want something, it needs to be immediate, so streaming just sounds more appealing, especially with the younger generations. “Many of today’s kids started using tablets and smart phones before they could talk and never got exposed to traditional TV – instead watching everything online.” (DEADLINE) With these younger generations using more online viewing sources, we see a vast decline in live TV viewings.
In 3-5 years, I see streaming becoming bigger than ever. Of course, there is going to be a big brawl between the streaming services to see who will become the top dog. I personally see Disney taking over and becoming stronger than ever during this time. “Disney owns your childhood (and probably your present and future), so it’s betting you’ll pay up for your favorite shows and movies.” (TAN) Disney is a platform that does not just offer streaming but so much more including their parks, their movies they put out, and their shares with Hulu and ESPN.
Part 2 (KALEY NESCI)-
ReplyDeleteWork Cited:
Your Guide to New Ways to Watch TV in 2019.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 31 Oct. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/entertainment/new-streaming-services-2019/?wpisrc=nl_headlines&%3Bwpmm=1
Andreeva, Nellie, and Ted Johnson. “Cable Ratings 2019: Fox News Tops Total Viewers, ESPN Wins 18-49 Demo As Entertainment Networks Slide.” Deadline, 27 Dec. 2019, deadline.com/2019/12/cable-ratings-2019-list-fox-news-total-viewers-espn-18-49-demo-1202817561/.
Beata. (2019, October 22). What Does the Future Hold for Linear TV? Is It All Lost? Retrieved from https://bsgroup.eu/future-of-linear-broadcasters
Zach LoCicero
ReplyDeleteStreaming services have become all the rage in recent years and are affecting linear broadcasting and cable networks. Broadcast and cable has seen some declines as streaming services continue to grow. People would rather pay for streaming services where they can pick and watch whatever they want, whenever they want. Broadcast and Cable TV has lost most of their “wow” factor with live premiers and shows. It seems to be used more for sports and news now.
This is something that cable and broadcast TV are doing to compete with the streaming services. In an article on deadline by Nellie Andreeva and Ted Johnson, “Cable news network’s Fox News and MSNBC and sports-focused ESPN repeated as 1-2-3 atop all basic cable networks in total viewers in Live+7 Nielsen ratings for 2019,” (Andreeva, Johnson). The networks that continue to cover political/news and sports continue to have success and top the ratings. These cable networks continue to compete with streaming services because of the content they offer. Continuing to accurately and cover these topics in depth will help their growth and consistency over the next 3 to 5 years. I believe the general reason people still have cable is for sporting events and live, up-to-date news in this changing political climate.
Broadcast networks like CBS have continued their success over a long period because of the wide variety of content that they offer. Even though their total viewers has decreased from last year, it still remains No. 1 in viewers, (Porter). CBS has such a wide variety of TV shows and also live sports that continue to attract a large number of viewers. According to an article from The Hollywood Reporter, “CBS assumed the total-viewer lead from NBC in the second week of January — not coincidentally, the week after NBC's primetime NFL commitments ended for the season. The Eye's own primetime NFL playoff broadcasts helped; two games in the early rounds averaged about 30.4 million viewers. But the network also has eight of the top 15 entertainment shows in total viewers this season,” (Porter). CBS continues to create original and unique TV shows which helps it stay atop the ratings for total number of viewers. I believe if CBS sticks to their current model of constantly producing new TV shows and having live sports, they will compete with streaming services in the next few years.
I believe that the TV industry will go under some drastic changes over the next few years. According to an article by Evan Tarver on Investopedia, “Cable TV companies might have no choice but to unbundle packages as they face growing competition from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime,” (Tarver). I believe this accurately depicts what the TV industry might undergo to continue to see success. I believe the unbundling of certain cable packages will help viewers not only cut down their cost, `but allow them to have more choice of their cable. This is more like streaming services where consumers pick what they want to watch. I believe a similar model will help Cable TV stay afloat. Although, this idea might help them stay in competition for the next few years, I believe streaming services will continue to dominate the way we watch media. I believe ultimately, streaming services will continue to outgrow traditional broadcast and cable TV.
Works Cited
Andreeva, Nellie, and Ted Johnson. “Cable Ratings 2019: Fox News Tops Total Viewers, ESPN Wins 18-49 Demo As Entertainment Networks Slide.” Deadline, 27 Dec. 2019, deadline.com/2019/12/cable-ratings-2019-list-fox-news-total-viewers-espn-18-49-demo-1202817561/.
Porter, Rick. “CBS, Fox Lead Network Ratings Race at 2019-20's Midpoint.” The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2020,
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cbs-fox-lead-network-ratings-race-at-2019-20s-midpoint-1274139
Tarver, Evan. “3 Predictions for TV in the Next 10 Years.” Investopedia, 31 Jan. 2020, https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/021816/3-predictions-tv-next-10-years.asp
Part 1
ReplyDeleteIn the first time in broadcast history, it was reported that 532 shows were aired this past year: “There were more than 500 scripted television series in the United States last year, a high. The estimated number: 532 comedies, dramas and limited series that were broadcast or streamed, according to the research department of the cable network FX, which tabulates and releases the figure every year” (Koblin, 2020). This amount of content seems like a blessing, but how is there any way to view it all? This study didn’t factor into account all of the content from streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, just a few of their hit shows. While it is completely understandable why this surge in content is taking place in this digital age, the rate at which new content is being constantly delivered seems counterproductive and counter-successful. Even FX chairman, John Landgraf commented that this rise was almost out of control, “‘Given that the streaming wars are now at hand, that total will increase substantially this year, which to me is just bananas’" (Goldberg, 2020). I am right there with Landgraf- I think it is way too much. New content is being premiered so rapidly, that it takes away interest and attention from other content. With streaming libraries hoarding thousands of movies and TV episodes, how can a consumer keep up with them? In an interview with Slate, TV critic Willa Paskin states that it’s hard for her to do her job because of how much content is being made available: “‘There is now so much TV that even the people who watch it for a living have had a hard time keeping up. “The idea that you could cover it all is gone’” (Kobin, 2020).
Part 2 (Took away the italicization of The Mandalorian and Star Wars)
DeleteThis issue also calls into question the concept of originality. Take Disney+ into consideration: most of their buzz when announcing their streaming platform was surrounding The Mandalorian- a Star Wars spin-off. In addition to this live remakes of old films also fed the consumer hunger for the new streaming platform. To me, this doesn’t present anything new or even interesting- it seems like a cheap tactic that banks of nostalgia over creativity. I argue that there is no surge in creativity, but just a surge for greed. I don’t think these networks or streaming services care about the actual beloved consumer content that they house, otherwise they wouldn’t be shoving more and more content down our throat just for the sake that they can. I don’t subscribe to these services because of how much content that they have, but for the amazing, high-quality, unique shows that they produced. In a Time article, another TV critic, Judy Berman illuminates a frightful reality, “Now another shift is afoot, as options exponentially expand, each Netflix subscriber’s homepage fills with discrete, data-driven recommendations and we all wind up watching something different” (Berman, 2018). Netflix specifically is targeting their audience by promoting certain content under guises of different thumbnail pictures and by using their numerical data to keep track of what users watch and will even promote different content throughout different times of the day to get you hooked. Another dead giveaway that these metrics are only to manipulate the user into getting sucked into their content blackhole. I think broadcast networks and streaming services need to take a step back and focus on the content as opposed to the quantity.
Works Cited
Berman, Judy. “Netflix in 2018: The Year of Too Much Content.” Time, Time, 21 Dec. 2018, time.com/5484106/too-much-netflix-content/.
Koblin, John. “Peak TV Hits a New Peak, With 532 Scripted Shows.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 Jan. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/01/09/business/media/tv-shows-2020.html.
Goldberg, Lesley. “Peak TV Update: Scripted Originals Top 500 in 2019, FX Says.” The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2020, www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/peak-tv-update-scripted-originals-set-record-2019-1266256?
utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=THR%27s%2BToday%2Bin%2BEntertainment_2020-01-10%2B07%3A11%3A00_aweprin&utm_term=hollywoodreporter_tie.
Lisa Ferrara
ReplyDeleteAs senior year draws closer to an end, reality starts to settle in more and I begin to realize that within the next few years I will not be able to mooch off of my parents streaming accounts anymore. With that being said, the amount of streaming services that are coming out is overwhelming and making me question which platforms do I splurge for and what type of accounts should I purchase? As a college student, streaming services are beneficial for me because it allows me to watch all my favorite content whenever and where I want to watch it. While streaming services are a threat to cable subscriptions, we cannot completely write off cable just yet. The way Americans talk about streaming services, it makes it seem that everyone will soon become a cord-cutter (one who opts out of cable). However, according to Money Under 30, eighty-three percent of American households still have cable (Barret). The programs that are keeping viewers subscribed to cable is live television such as sports games, news, and award shows.
Cable networks can survive off of live shows because many viewers do not want to watch the program after the fact, allowing them to stay up-to-date on the latest breaking news and scores. While some viewers may record and watch award shows at a later time and date, sports a typically watched the day of and that’s it. Cable benefits off of this because there are not many streaming services that offer live sports packages. Hulu Live is one of the only streaming services that allow you to access live television channels including sports while still having access to their premium content. Other streaming services such as ESPN+, gives you access to premium content however it does not give you access to live NBA or NFL games broadcasted through ESPN and their other networks (Hastings). Without having access to live NBA and NFL streams, many viewers (specifically within the 18-49 age range) do not see the reason to get rid of cable yet. According to the 2019 cable ratings, “cable news network’s Fox News and MSNBC and sports-focused ESPN repeated as 1-2-3 atop all basic cable networks in total viewers in Live+7 Nielsen ratings for 2019” (Andreeva, Johnson). Having control over live sports and news broadcasts positions cable networks in a spot of leverage over SVOD services.
In the past decade, we have seen a major tech advancement from the devices we use and how we can use them. The upcoming rise of streaming services has allowed viewers to receive their content quickly without having to compromise where they are, straying viewers away from their typical television set. Streaming services are set up for viewers to later on cut out cable networks yet live programs are still drawing viewers back. Within the next 3-5 years, it would not surprise me if big conglomerates such as Amazon or Disney would invest in streaming all live sports. As of right now, Disney is in the best position to leverage a streaming service for all live sports with ESPN under their belt. In a time where programs are delivered directly to the consumer, it will only be a matter of time until sports will join the wagon. If streaming services are able to acquire live sports, the life of cable networks will be reliant on broadcast news. Sports specifically, hold a promising future for cable networks, however, it is only a matter of time until an opportunity approaches.
Work Cited:
Andreeva, Nellie, and Ted Johnson. “Cable Ratings 2019: Fox News Tops Total Viewers, ESPN Wins 18-49 Demo As Entertainment Networks Slide.” Deadline, 27 Dec. 2019, deadline.com/2019/12/cable-ratings-2019-list-fox-news-total-viewers-espn-18-49-demo-1202817561/.
Barret, Lauren. “Cord-Cutting 101: Why Streaming Services Can't Totally Replace Cable-Yet.” Money Under 30, 12 Mar. 2019, www.moneyunder30.com/streaming-vs-cable.
Hastings, Nick. “ESPN+: Everything You Need to Know about ESPN's Streaming Service.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 6 Feb. 2020, www.businessinsider.com/what-is-espn-plus.
With the increase in streaming services in recent years, there has also been an increase in scripted series. However, Netflix and other streaming platforms still account for the vast majority of these scripted series. According to Variety, “in 2018, the streaming platforms accounted for 160 series, more than the number of shows made by the networks or basic cable” (Koblin).
ReplyDeleteIn order to keep up with these services, linear broadcasting and cable networks need “the ability to adapt with the times” (Vourlias). Broadcast and cable have been creating scripted series to compete with the originals on SVOD services. For example, “basic cable networks like Bravo, CMT, VH1, WGN America and E! — as well as TV Land… exited the scripted business” with shows like Younger, Riverdale and the Law and Order franchise (Goldberg). In doing so, they have been able to drive attention to linear content, increasing their chances of competing with streaming content. Another way that studios specifically keep up with competitors during the age of steaming wars is by selling their original content to these streaming services and networks. According to Variety, “when networks are in need… is when you as a studio should be at your best. Because if there’s a need, maybe you can fill that need,” (Vourlias).
In three to five years, I expect linear television to continue to decline with the rise in popularity of streaming content. This is especially true since more and more college students and members of Gen Z will be moving out and begin to purchase their own televisions and pay their own bills. Members of this generation have grown up with a variety of platforms accessible to them, so the highly personalized experience streaming services offer is highly appealing to them. According to Forbes, “the future of television is changing quickly and shows how customers crave personalized, convenient content,” meaning streaming services will adhere to the tastes of the technology driven generations that are most likely to be interested in streaming options. On the other hand, the future of television will depend on whether people will be willing to purchase multiple subscriptions to watch the shows and movies they like. For instance, there are currently over a dozen major streaming services from Disney Plus to Amazon Prime Video. If companies continue to spread content across such a wide variety of platforms, I believe many people, including members of Gen Z, will return to cable and linear television for its simplicity and as a way to save money. Overall, I think streaming services will be the most popular in five years, but cable and broadcast will still be successful due to the original content they have recently been offering. The increasing amount of streaming services will allow cable and broadcast networks to play roles as ‘backup’ plans for people unable to afford multiple services at once, or for people who become disinterested in dealing with the streaming wars we are being faced with today.
Goldberg, Lesley. “Peak TV Update: Scripted Originals Top 500 in 2019, FX Says.” The
DeleteHollywood Reporter, Jan. 9, 2020. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/peak-tv-update-scripted-originals-set-record-2019-1266256?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=THR%27s%20Today%20in%20Entertainment_2020-01-10%2007:11:00_aweprin&utm_term=hollywoodreporter_tie
Koblin, John. “Peak TV Hits a New Peak, With 532 Scripted Shows.” New York Times,
Jan. 9, 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/09/business/media/tv-shows-2020.html
Morgan, Blake. “What Is The Future Of Television?” Forbes, Jul 5, 2019. https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2019/07/05/what-is-the-future-of-television/#269d231559de
Vourlias, Christopher. “Lionsgate TV Chairman Kevin Beggs on Streamers and TV’s
‘Platinum Era.’” Variety, Oct. 19 2020. https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/lionsgate-tv-kevin-beggs-mia-1203376382/
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLiana DiMitri
ReplyDeleteNowadays the world seems to be encapsulated with the wonders of streaming, but let’s not forget that cable and broadcast networks still exist. There is a decent amount of people who still watch broadcast and cable shows, but streaming is taking over the way we watch television.
There seems to be two main strategies that linear television networks are implementing to stay relevant. One option is to sell content to streamers. Not only is this plan good for making more money but it helps linear tv grow in audiences as well. Lionsgate’s Television chairman even claims that we are in a “platinum era of television” (Vourlias). The reason why television seems to be the best entertainment medium is because of the opportunities streaming creates for cable and broadcast shows. Linear television shows can be sold to streamers which helps both forms of TV survive. Channels like FX, TNT/TBS, and USA already have programming available on Hulu, HBO Max, and Peacock respectively (Andreeva and Johnson). This is a more profit-oriented solution, but it is definitely a way to adapt to streamers’ current domination of television.
The next option is something I think will be very useful for creativity and originality in television. Specifically, ABC has decided to change the way it calculates viewership. This broadcast network will use ratings from three days after airing, seven days after airing, and multiplatform 35-day (Barsanti). The big benefit here is that lower rated shows will have a chance to remain on the network. This can expand content and gives a more accurate representation of the times when people actually watch shows.
I believe that both strategies can help linear tv gain viewers, but I am concerned about the ongoing competition with SVOD services. The option of handing content over to streamers is not a great solution towards the perseverance of cable and broadcast networks. People are not going to watch TV when they can just stream the shows on their computers or phones. Also, allowing more shows to remain on network television is exciting but I think this idea will fade out as streaming continues to grow. Many networks like CBS and HBO are already creating their own streaming services to keep up with the way audiences watch tv. The companies themselves may not be eliminated but I think the use of cable ultimately will be.
Many theories have been thrown around about the state of television, but I believe I have a pretty good idea about what the TV industry will look like in three to five years. Streaming will look like cable. As much as people love streaming for the array of content and minimal commercials, a setback that I have noticed is that people have to be very sure of what they want to watch. You can’t flip through channels anymore and let a show or film catch your eye. Also, with the development of so many streamers, bundling will most likely become an option for consumers (Heinzman). People are not going to want ten different streaming subscriptions for one or two shows on each platform. As streaming becomes a better version of cable, there will be bundled services and possibly even a channel guide. Cable and broadcast shows can survive, but they will on do so if they programmed on SVOD services.
Works Cited
ReplyDeleteAndreeva, Nellie, and Ted Johnson. “Cable Ratings 2019: Fox News Tops Total Viewers, ESPN Wins 18-49 Demo As Entertainment Networks Slide.” Deadline, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2019, deadline.com/2019/12/cable-ratings-2019-list-fox-news-total-viewers-espn-18-49-demo-1202817561/.
Barsanti, Sam. “ABC to Stop Paying Attention to Live Ratings, Giving Smaller Shows a Chance to Survive.” AV Club, AV Club, 12 Nov. 2019, news.avclub.com/abc-to-stop-paying-attention-to-live-ratings-giving-sm-1839790298?rev=1573530955688&utm_content=Main&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SF&fbclid=IwAR2r35K-rtC5gRDIanTqQ8242ExjFVyoJy36woIAoguKzuwvTx9aT6flVJg. Accessed 11 Feb. 2020.
Heinzman, Andrew. “Streaming Services Are Beginning To Look Like Cable Companies.” How-To Geek, How-To Geek, Feb. 2019, www.howtogeek.com/402533/streaming-services-are-beginning-to-look-like-cable-companies/.
Vourlias, Christopher. “Lionsgate TV Chairman Kevin Beggs on Streamers and TV’s ‘Platinum Era.’” Variety, Variety, 19 Oct. 2019, variety.com/2019/tv/news/lionsgate-tv-kevin-beggs-mia-1203376382/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2020.
It seems that one of the largest problems linear broadcasting and cable networks are facing are ways to attract and keep viewers. John Koblin of NY Times explained that for the first time ever in history, there were more than 500 scripted TV series in the US. This was a 7% increase from 2018 which doesn’t seem like a lot until you break down the numbers. With this many TV show options, how are you supposed to watch all of them? Why would people want to pay for cable when they have all these shows to watch on streaming services? This is the problem that linear broadcasting companies and cable networks having. They need to search for ways to attract and keep viewers. Companies such as HBO would increase their running of episodes during certain days almost 50% but it was just not enough. They decided to launch HBO MAX.
ReplyDeleteSo, what does linear broadcasting and cable networks offer for people to keep watching them? The answer is Live TV! For example, Fox Network was the most watched network of 2019 with most of their views coming from live sports according to, Most-Watched Television Networks: Ranking 2019’s Winners and Losers, by Michael Schneider. Schneider also put networks like fox on a peddle stool by mentioning that, “The traditional networks that are heavily invested in live sports and news, two types of programming not easily replicated on a streaming platform, are holding steady,” (Schneider). With keeping people engaged and wanting to watch live TV, whether it be sports or news, is a huge must for these networking companies if they want to stay afloat. They also better hope that the big streaming services don’t perfect and replicate the few special qualities of broadcasting and cable networks.
I don’t think I can make a good guess as to what to expect from the TV industry in 3-5 years with the role of TV Streaming services. There is a part of me that thinks traditional TV will obsolete when TV Streaming services are able to land contracts with networks such as Fox, CNN, and MSNBC to stream live news and sports. “As a whole, traditional cable TV has probably now entered what economists call a death spiral,” (Bode, 2020). In the same article, Bode also explains that the live news and sports aspect of traditional TV is cables last life line before being forced to vanish because of irrelevancy.
WORKS CITED:
Bode, Karl. “Traditional TV Enters Its Final Death Spiral.” Techdirt., 2019, www.techdirt.com/articles/20200121/08345143769/traditional-tv-enters-final-death-spiral.shtml.
Framke, Caroline, et al. “Oscars' Corporate 'Feminism'.” Variety, 2020, variety.com/2019/tv/news/network-ratings-top-channels-fox-news-espn-cnn-cbs-nbc-abc- 1203440870/.
Koblin, John. “Peak TV Hits a New Peak, With 532 Scripted Shows.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 9 Jan. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/01/09/business/media/tv-shows-2020.html.
Blog #3- Allison Roethke
ReplyDeleteNowadays, we don’t see as many people watching cable television. Personally, I do not have a subscription to cable and do not plan to have one any time in the future. I get most of my content from Netflix or Hulu. I spend a lot of my time binge watching Grey’s Anatomy. I choose to get my content from streaming platforms because I know that what I am interested in watching is offered on those specific platforms. I am able to access all 16 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix or Hulu. I can binge without being interrupted by commercials and advertisements. Which in hindsight, I am not paying to have channels or shows that I will not watch. I think that older generations tend to stick with cable because that’s what they are familiar with. Even though according to The Washington Post, “An estimated 33 million Americans cut the cord on cable in 2018 so it's no surprise that more companies wanting on the streaming game, (Tan 2019).”
According to The Washington Post, Netflix is the most popular platform for watching TV with basic cable and broadcast coming in second and Youtube in third. Other platforms include Hulu, premium cable and Amazon Prime Video which is not a surprise considering 4 out of the 6 mentioned are streaming services. Not only are these platforms used most often, Disney+, AppleTV+, Facebook Watch, DC Universe and others are joining in on the party. Even though there are so many streaming services offered and developing, linear broadcasting and cable networks are still around. But why?
Throughout the past decade, streaming services have taken over but it seems that live sporting events and broadcast news is what’s keeping cable alive. In an article written by Lisa de Moraes for Deadline, “Fox, which gained the full Thursday football package this season, also finished flat relative to last season in the demo and climbed 9% in total viewers, (Moraes).” The Hollywood Reporter also confirms that Fox is up by about half a million viewers thanks to the bigger tune-in for Thursday Night Football year-over-year (it grew about 76,000 viewers, (Porter).” But when comparing ABC, according to Moraes, “ABC, which does not participate in the NFL scramble, dropped 20% in the demo and 8% percent of total viewers.” According to an article written by Nellie Andreeva and Ted Johnson for Deadline, “In the adults demographic, ESPN was No.1 with an average of 730,000 viewers, followed by USA Network with 510,000 and TBS and TNT with 490,000.”
This just shows what impact sporting events has on TV. I feel that this is what is keeping cable alive but in the next 3-5 years, cable networks will try to hop on the streaming platforms and those who still subscribe to cable will have to hop on as well so they can receive the content they desire. Streaming services will look to partner with cable networks in hopes of coming out on top in the streaming wars.
Andreeva, Nellie, and Ted Johnson. “Cable Ratings 2019: Fox News Tops Total Viewers, ESPN Wins 18-49 Demo As Entertainment Networks Slide.” Deadline, 27 Dec. 2019, deadline.com/2019/12/cable-ratings-2019-list-fox-news-total-viewers-espn-18-49-demo-1202817561/.
Your Guide to New Ways to Watch TV in 2019.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 31 Oct. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/entertainment/new-streaming-services-2019/?wpisrc=nl_headlines&%3Bwpmm=1
Porter, Rick. “CBS, Fox Lead Network Ratings Race at 2019-20's Midpoint.” The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2020,
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cbs-fox-lead-network-ratings-race-at-2019-20s-midpoint-1274139
Kayla Gaudet:
ReplyDeleteIn a world slowly being taken over by cord-cutting and streaming services, it’s hard to imagine that broadcasting and cable networks have had it easy lately. It has become increasingly necessary that these networks find something that works and build on it. Some networks have been extremely successful in finding a way to stick around including Fox, CBS, and NBC as the top three networks today. The main tactic has been to put all of their energy into their shows that are doing well. For ABC, they have put all of their work into Grey’s Anatomy or Modern Family. An article form Av Club explains how ABC as well as Fox have both decided to work based off of long-term ratings rather than same-day ratings. Considering the world of streaming services, ABC realized that they won’t have an accurate idea of viewers if they don’t take streaming services into account. The article goes on to explain that this has actually been very beneficial for ABC because now they have an idea of what shows are actually doing well. At first, it may seem like their shows aren’t receiving great ratings but as they collect more data from other services, the shows are actually doing very well. NBC has been very successful with the help of their hit show This Is Us. However, their success comes from more than just a popular show, just like FOX and ABC. For both FOX and NBC, the NFL has been a major benefit to their success. An article in the Hollywood Reporter discusses that NBC has actually lost a large percentage of viewers, so it seems that This Is Us and football are keeping the network afloat for now.
In 3-5 years, I can start to imagine a world where broadcasting and cable networks are closer to being forgotten. It’s hard to imagine because we still have major live events such as the Super Bowl and various award shows, but I’m not sure if that will be enough to keep these networks alive. I can see hundreds of networks shutting down but maybe Fox, CBS and NBC will survive based on the success of their old shows and football. I honestly feel that if football wasn’t as big as it was, broadcast television would have been dead by now. I sometimes wonder if streaming services might create their own version of broadcasting so we can still enjoy watching the Super Bowl or the Oscars without the need for broadcast stations. I also see a major battle of the streaming services in the near future as well. Our future looks like it’s going to turn into a disaster of every network wanting to create their own streaming service, failing, and eventually being bought out by more successful streamers such as Netflix or Hulu. An article from Forbes discusses how the future is in data rather than success. They used Netflix as an example who everyone knows is in debt, yet they are one of the most successful streaming services right now. Although Fox, CBS, and NBC are managing right now, it seems that anyone can make it to the top without the need for profit. The future of television is going to have major changes in the near future and I won’t be surprised if several networks we love go under or get picked up by a streaming service.
Works Cited
Morgan, Blake. “What Is The Future Of Television.” Forbes, 5 July 2019, www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2019/07/05/what-is-the-future-of-television/#645e5ac459de.
Porter, Rick. “CBS, Fox Lead Network Ratings Race at 2019-20's Midpoint.” The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2020, www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cbs-fox-lead-network-ratings-race-at-2019-20s-midpoint-1274139.
Schneider, Michael. “Most-Watched Television Networks: Ranking 2019's Winners and Losers.” Variety, 26 Dec. 2019, variety.com/2019/tv/news/network-ratings-top-channels-fox-news-espn-cnn-cbs-nbc-abc-1203440870/.