Source: Simon Canning, The Australian

INTERNET technology that almost brought the music industry to its knees is being turned on the television world, with some predictions that by the end of the year traditional TV could be rendered obsolete.

A handful of companies are preparing for a full-scale, global assault on the way TV is viewed through the internet, mixing the speed of broadband with the peer-to-peer file-sharing processes that helped launch the music piracy industry, and all of it bankrolled by international advertisers.

Joost is the name that has captured the most attention since it announced four months ago that it would begin beta trials of its 150-channel strong global TV network.

The Netherlands company was founded by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, the founders of file-sharing system Kazaa who went on to create voice over internet protocol company Skype.

In late 2005 the pair and fellow investors sold Skype to eBay for $US2.6 billion ($2.9 billion) and began looking for the next gap in the internet market.

Zennstrom and Friis have set their eyes on breaking down international TV barriers by forming the Joost service, and some big-name entertainment companies have been convinced to come on board.

Viacom, Endemol, CBS, Warner Music, Ministry of Sound TV and Aardman Animation are just some of the large companies that have signed content agreements with Joost.

The US National Hockey League and the Indy Racing series – which runs the Indianapolis 500 – have also aligned themselves, signing global agreements for the sports to be carried by Joost.

Joost promotes itself as the ultimate video on demand aligned with all the interactivity of the internet.

The video feeds arrive with the same broadcast quality as traditional TV, quality that significantly outstrips that of YouTube, which was acquired by Google last year for $US1.65 billion ($1.88billion).

The broadcaster achieves this quality by using thousands of home computers across the world to deliver small chunks (called packets) of each broadcast, reducing pressure on a central server, otherwise known as peer to peer (P2P).

It’s the same system used by music pirates to share music files. However, with content agreements locked in with suppliers and the ability to allow or lock out regions on demand, the P2P TV system being developed is completely legal.

As a result, even in the trial stages, it has also proven attractive to advertisers.

Global brands that have tested campaigns on Joost include Coca-Cola and Nike.

Ian Gardiner, managing director of Australian-based Viocorp, helps companies run videos over secure closed networks but says the online TV revolution is unstoppable, particularly among young media consumers.

"The young people don’t know the difference between TV and computers, they don’t know the difference between interacting and not," Gardiner says. "The computer is like a fridge. If the broadcasters don’t react to it, they are going to be in trouble."

But while Joost is stealing all the headlines, two other bids are also under way to try to carve out the leadership position in global internet TV.

US-based Veoh is marketing itself as an online digital video recorder but differs from Joost in that, like YouTube, the public can upload their own content. Where Joost broadcasts content only from its own sources, Veoh allows people to record content from any source on the internet.

Also entering the fray is Ireland’s Babelgum. Babelgum Network launched its beta in March.

The initial worldwide broadband TV audience was 300 million and growing at 30 per cent a year, says spokesman Ian Hood.

"We have been very regionally focused in the early stages but are just about to take our message out to the world," Hood tells The Australian.

"Currently it is in the beta test stage, and rights owners are being invited to submit content for uploading and transmission to the beta testers worldwide."

Chief executive Erik Lumer says he believes Babelgum will prove a potent mix of what people expect from TV and the internet.
"It combines the best of the lean-back experience of TV with the interactivity of the sit-forward PC experience," Lumer says.

"At times you can just sit back and enjoy the full screen, high-quality streaming of your favourite content, (while) at other times you can use the interactivity and social networking facilities to personalise your experience and interact with other users.

"It is an environment in which everyone benefits: rights owners, viewers and advertisers."

Simon van Wyk, founder of Australian digital agency Hothouse, says P2P will be a game-breaker for TV.

"It is going to be a fundamental shift," van Wyk says. "It’s the long tail where we see the constraints of limited resource go away."

But while Joost, Veoh and Babelgum may be bad news for existing broadcasters, their arrival will be a boon to those creating content.

"Instead of having five options to sell your content, you have got limitless outlets for content," van Wyk says. "It is going to be a great thing for consumers as well. And I think they are going to arrive pretty quickly.

"If you look at the way consumers have adopted stealing content through BitTorrent and making that work for themselves, it a very easy jump for them to make.

"The barriers to that uptake are going to go away really quickly."

Having founded Dining Down Under as a traditional TV show aimed at free-to-air and pay-TV, Mr Cherikoff said one of the real innovations with Joost was that the online delivery of the program made it a more interactive and on-demand experience.

This allowed content providers to have links to sales offers, sub-categories and other options. "You can even click on a link that pauses the show and gives you the recipe (so) you can print, then resume the show," he said.

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Age of Conversation is off to a flying start in book sales and has been assisted by some invaluable media coverage in the last 48 hours or so.

This innovative collaboration has been covered already in the following media:

Fast Company (USA)
Business Week (USA)
Advertising Age (USA)
Big Biz Radio Show (nationally syndicated USA)
Social Computing
Media Post’s Marketing Daily
Marketing Prof’s Daily Fix
PSFK

Add to that 103 bloggers all writing and promoting the book and you have a very powerful campaign in action.

Once again the book is available for purchase at lulu.com/ageofconversation
It is available as Hardcover, softcover or e-book.

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SYDNEY: The first half of the 2007 TV ratings year has come to a close, with the Seven Network taking a clear lead in morning TV, news and current affairs and primetime viewing.

While overall viewing for the three big commercial networks has dropped, Seven has managed to minimise the damage the most, slipping back 1.9% against Nine’s 7.7% and 9.5% from Network Ten.

Seven has won 18 of the opening 20 weeks of the television year in total viewers, leaving the network with 29.2% of total people against Nine’s 27.5% and Ten’s 21.5%.

Seven, in typical fashion, was frank about its performance.

“Undoubtedly, others will come up with some spin on their first half performance. We’ll just say one thing. Seven is number one,” a statement to the media read.

While Nine is 1.7 points behind Seven, the network was positive about its result, adding that its second half schedule was strong.

Michael Healy, director of programming at Nine, said the network was pleased with its product offering for the remainder of 2007.

“We are confident that our mix of shows will hold strong appeal for our viewers,” he said.

David Mott, Ten’s chief programming officer, said he was “very comfortable” with the network’s performance.

“We knew the start of 2007 would be tough and it’s fantastic to be within one share point of our 18 to 49 [demographic] position at this time a year ago – which was of course a record year for Ten – and to have achieved that without 10 weeks of Thank God You’re Here in the schedule,” he said.

Of the top 20 rating shows in the first half, Nine secured the number one spot for Sea Patrol with 1.824 million viewers. Seven took the lion’s share with 12 of the top 20 programs with just two for the Ten Network.

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Is former Backyard Blitz chippie Scott Cam about to make-over Channel 9’s ratings chances this year?

The TV tradesman was certainly at the centre of industry speculation yesterday as the unlikely choice to head a rumoured new program on Sundays, which is set to take on Seven’s Weekend Sunrise in another morning slot showdown.

Cam, who remains a favourite with network executives, has been linked to the mooted project, which Confidential sources suggest would air from 7am to 9am, as a possible lead in to the embattled flagship current affairs show, Sunday – or as its eventual replacement.

The larrikin’s manager, Chris Giannopoulos confirmed when contacted yesterday that Cam had been earmarked “for three or four new programs at Nine, that would be slated for the second half of this year”.

“One is a news and current affairs-style show at the weekend which surfaced recently, in the last month,” the IMG spokesman said, “but nothing’s been finalised.”

Willoughby insiders said former Today show fill-in Kellie Connolly could been paired off with Cam, in any breakfast show spin-off.

The likeable bloke apparently tests well with TV audiences and managed to come to terms with his employers, signing a three-year deal with the network in December, just as his more acclaimed garden guru co-star Jamie Durie’s relationship with Nine was splintering.

A Channel 9 spokeswoman has declined to comment.

Source: The Media Spy

Check out this site for great advice on building your perfect life

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Finally, after a lot of hard work by Gavin and Drew, their brainchild book has been born. The Age of Conversation is in now available for purchase.

Some interesting facts and figures have emerged from the compilation of this book.

• There are 103 authors of the book.

• Countries included are USA, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, France, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Oman and India.

• In Australia there are 8 authors, 2 from Victoria, 5 from Sydney and myself here in Newcastle.

You can view a global map of the authors here.

The book is now being featured in the Advertising Age bookstore in the USA. after that esteemed journal interviewed Gavin and Drew last week.

TO BUY THE BOOK: Go to the official website or lulu.com/ageofconversation.

Finally, here is the most up-to-date listing and linking of the contributors to the Age of Conversation. There are some very interesting thinkers here, so take the time to visit their sites and see what else they have to offer:

Gavin Heaton
Drew McLellan
CK
Valeria Maltoni
Emily Reed
Katie Chatfield
Greg Verdino
Mack Collier
Lewis Green
Sacrum
Ann Handley
Mike Sansone
Paul McEnany
Roger von Oech
Anna Farmery
David Armano
Bob Glaza
Mark Goren
Matt Dickman
Scott Monty
Richard Huntington
Cam Beck
David Reich
Luc Debaisieux
Sean Howard
Tim Jackson
Patrick Schaber
Roberta Rosenberg
Uwe Hook
Tony D. Clark
Todd Andrlik
Toby Bloomberg
Steve Woodruff
Steve Bannister
Steve Roesler
Stanley Johnson
Spike Jones
Nathan Snell
Simon Payn
Ryan Rasmussen
Ron Shevlin
Roger Anderson
Robert Hruzek
Rishi Desai
Phil Gerbyshak
Peter Corbett
Pete Deutschman
Nick Rice
Nick Wright
Michael Morton
Mark Earls
Mark Blair
Mario Vellandi
Lori Magno
Kristin Gorski
Kris Hoet
G.Kofi Annan
Kimberly Dawn Wells
Karl Long
Julie Fleischer
Jordan Behan
John La Grou
Joe Raasch
Jim Kukral
Jessica Hagy
Janet Green
Jamey Shiels
Dr. Graham Hill
Gia Facchini
Geert Desager
Gaurav Mishra
Gary Schoeniger
Gareth Kay
Faris Yakob
Emily Clasper
Ed Cotton
Dustin Jacobsen
Tom Clifford
David Polinchock
David Koopmans
David Brazeal
David Berkowitz
Carolyn Manning
Craig Wilson
Cord Silverstein
Connie Reece
Colin McKay
Chris Newlan
Chris Corrigan
Cedric Giorgi
Brian Reich
Becky Carroll
Arun Rajagopal
Andy Nulman
Amy Jussel
AJ James
Kim Klaver
Sandy Renshaw
Susan Bird
Ryan Barrett
Troy Worman
S. Neil Vineberg
CB Whitmore

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Most Watched Programs:

1 Prime News Monday to Friday PRIME 80000

2 Deal or no Deal PRIME 60000

3 Seven News Monday to Friday PRIME 59000

4 Border Security PRIME 56000

5 NBN Evening News Sunday NBN 56000

6 60 Minutes NBN 53000

7 McLeods Daughters NBN 53000

8 Seven News Saturday PRIME 50000

9 It Takes Two PRIME 50000

10 All Saints PRIME 49000

Station Ratings:

                    Week 28
2007     Week 28
2006     Prog
2007     Prog
2006

NBN                 27.0                 32.9                     30.6             32.8

PRIME             33.8                 34.9                     31.8             29.9

TEN                 20.1                 19.0                     19.6             20.4

ABC                 15.3                 10.4                     13.0             12.4

SBS                 3.9                    2.9                      4.9                4.4

Popularity: 1%

Most Watched Programs:

1 Sea Patrol NBN 106000
2 A Current Affair NBN 102000
3 NBN Evening News Monday to Friday NBN 97000
4 1 VS 100 NBN 96000
5 NBN Evening News Sunday NBN 95000
6 Big Dog Goodnight NBN 90000
7 Backyard Blitz NBN 88000
8 Australia’s Funniest Home Video Show NBN 84000
9 It Takes Two PRIME 81000
10 Getaway NBN 80000

Station Ratings:

                    Week 28 2007     Week 28
2006     Prog
2007     Prog
2006

NBN                 34.7                     37.0                 35.5             36.9

PRIME             24.2                     24.2                 25.2             22.5

TEN                 18.0                     17.8                 17.3             19.6

ABC                 16.3                     15.7                 16.3             15.7

SBS                 6.8                         5.3                 5.7                5.4

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Global warming rocked the boat for the cops in Sea Patrol last week, not by causing freak waves but by tempting 300,000 of their viewers over to the ABC.

The documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle pulled 1.1 million in the mainland capitals on Thursday night, and the debate that followed held onto 969,000 until 11pm — an extraordinary result for the national broadcaster. Against it, Sea Patrol attracted 1.7 million, down from nearly 2 million the previous week.

It was a solid result for Nine but not enough to help it win the week, even with the 1.3 million who watched Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on Saturday. The average prime time audience shares ended up as Seven 28.7 per cent, Nine 27.6, Ten 21.1, ABC 16.5 and SBS 6.1. SBS scored with Top Gear (753.000) and The Roman Empire (416,000)

Channel Ten began a Wednesday recovery when Thank Good You’re Here passed on a healthy audience to Dr House.

But Big Brother is suffering its worst season ever. At this nearly final stage, a BB episode should be at least in the ratings top 20. But BB’s best manifestation last week was the Friday Night Games, ranked at No 42 for the week, with 1.08 million.

Strangely, BB enjoyed a resurgence on Sunday. Whether because of the insertion of the talk jock Kyle Sandilands, or because, even with this boring bunch of housemates, there is some curiosity about the winner, the eviction show suddenly approached the kind of numbers it was getting back in the glory days.

Thanks to Midsomer Murders and The Worst Jobs in History, the ABC captured 20.1 per cent of the prime time audience, but Nine won the night with 28.2 per cent.

What Australia watched, week ending July 14

1 BORDER SECURITY Seven 1,867,000
2 IT TAKES TWO Seven 1,838,000
3 THANK GOD YOU’RE HERE 3 Ten 1,771,000
4 SURF PATROL Seven 1,694,000
5 SEVEN NEWS – SUN Seven 1,689,000
6 60 MINUTES Nine 1,677,000
7 SEA PATROL Nine 1,662,000
8 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,642,000
9 GREY’S ANATOMY Seven 1,567,000
10 HOUSE Ten 1,517,000
11 ALL SAINTS Seven 1,464,000
12 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,461,000
13 WHERE ARE THEY NOW Seven 1,391,000
14 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,387,000
15 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Seven 1,369,000

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

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Media Hunter is experiencing a very busy period at the moment. What do they say about the one-armed wallpaperer?

Besides my day job, there has been the recording, editing and release of the Hunter Region’s mighty new rock anthem "We Can’t Be Beaten" with Craig Rosie Rosevear and friends. The song is all part of the forthcoming concert on Newcastle Foreshore which has been quite an event to co-ordinate.

On Monday 16 July the Age of Conversation book will be released world-wide including my chapter on "Bringing it Back to Local". The book has been an amazing collaborative effort which I am proud to have been associated with.

Amongst all this is Media Hunter’s favourite annual sporting event…le Tour de France. Its not easy staying up to 2am watching skinny guys on bikes riding through the French countryside for 3 straight weeks, then going to work, but it wll be worth it if we manage an Aussie victory. Go Cadel!!!

In other news, local blogger The Marketer has taken on the task on compiling the Hunter’s Top 25 Blogs. This is a real sign of the times as blogs and other social media become more influential in our media mix. Thisis a great idea and I await the list with eagerness.

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Nielsen Media could be in danger of losing its long running reign on the radio ratings surveys following Commercial Radio Australia putting the lucrative market survey to tender.

The organisation has reportedly asked six parties to tender for the contract.

Nielsen has held the rights to the surveys for the last forty years and currently still employs the traditional diary method for data collection, but the industry representative is now considering migrating to electronic data collection.

Joan Warner from Commercial Radio Australia confirmed interest in moving to electronic data collection pending trials in overseas markets:

    “While we believe the diary system is working well and is the only proven and reliable ratings method used in the majority of the world at present, we are mindful that we must look at ways to improve the system.”

Nielsen is set to trial its electronic People Go Meter system later this year.

    “The results of these technical trials combined with results of consumer trials planned in the UK, Canada and the US this year and into 2008 will help us determine the future for electronic testing in this country.”

Tenders for the new ratings contract will close in September.

Source: The Australian

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