Two new channels, much the same show
18Oct07

Source: Michael Sainsbury and Mark Day, The Australian

LABOR
will set a date for the shutdown of analog television services if
elected next month and both main political parties have committed to
the auction of channels A and B, the rival communications portfolio
leaders have announced in their first important interviews since the
election was announced.

Opposition communications
spokesman Stephen Conroy is still also considering whether to allow a
fourth free-to-air TV licence as part of its election platform.

As for analog TV, Senator Conroy told Media: "We believe there
should be a cut-off date and we will be making an announcement on
this."

The Government has set a broad target of between 2010 and 2012 for analog shut-down.

"Optimists suggest the dates may be feasible, pessimists believe that the target won’t be achieved," Senator Conroy said.

But Communications Minister Helen Coonan, who is expected soon to
announce a timetable for the auction of channels A and B – Channel A to
be used for niche programming aimed at home viewing, and Channel B for
mobile TV broadcast to hand-held devices – criticises Labor’s plans to
close Digital Australia.

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Popularity: 1%

Digital TV has more to offer
11Oct07

Source: Ann Parsons, The Australian   

AUSTRALIA’S
digital television model continues to grow slowly while investment
pours into internet protocol TV, providing further proof that the
digital platform is a flop.

It’s a wasted opportunity for consumers and advertisers.

But now we have the imminent launch of the Ten and Seven networks’ free-to-air high-definition channels.

It will be a pragmatic "must do" mission, not an exhilarating step into the future.

Let me paint a picture of 2008 so you can see its shortcomings but
also sense the unlocked potential. The networks will launch an HDTV
channel (all three already run some HDTV programming, some
standard-definition programming and channel guides, and the ABC has a
particularly good digital channel in ABC2).

The channels will initially mirror the analogue channels in peak
time and show a mix of time-shifted programming and clustered
programming in off-peak schedules, featuring yet-to-be broadcast
content deals.

The networks will focus on promoting their digital channels on their analogue channels to encourage switch-over.

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Popularity: 1%

Media Hunter #3 in Australia
17Aug07

Media Hunter’s coverage of the region’s media news has been making a bit of a splash in the online world this year.

Advertising Age in America has begun publishing a worldwide ranking of the top marketing and advertising blogs called The Power 150.

I am proud to say that Media Hunter is currently ranked 285  in the world and 3rd in Australia. Not bad for a fairly narrowly focussed blog.

Thanks to all Media Hunter’s readers. If you would like to link Media Hunter to your site it will assist in improving on the current ranking.

Popularity: 1%

Local Web “Channel” Grows
3Jun07

Local online web "channel" Hunter’s Best continues to grow at a rapid rate. Launched on 1 January 2007 the site has grown to become one of the highest profile websites in the Hunter Region during the last 5 months.

The Hunter’s Best concept mixes hi-frequency television advertising with a unique online presence to provide businesses with a cost-effective new way to reach potential consumers. Advertising has been running consistently on NBN, Prime and TEN since day one, urging consumers to visit the website to meet more of the Hunter’s Best businesses. And it has been working, with web traffic doubling every month to the point that the site is approaching 3/4 million hits.

The site itself offers a variety of reasons to visit. An up-to-date News Ticker lets you know the latest happenings and events, live weather and marine reports are available for the whole region, movies and the arts are well catered to, surfers can read daily reports from crack reporter Sandy Toggs, plus there is a growing business directory with clever profile pages.

A new innovation is the use of streaming video…check out the latest movie releases and trailers, surf action and more.

Hunter’s Best has just closed entries on competition to win a $12,000 champagne diamond ring in association with the Sunny Days Foundation, and the winner will be drawn this week. The competition attracted thousands of entries.

Hunter’s Best offers a real alternative to businesses looking to raise their profile. They offer TV commercials from $60 per spot including production, with online profiles included.

(Note: author has an interest in Hunter’s Best)

Popularity: 10%