July
17, 2006
Copyright Mediaware Infotech Pvt. Ltd. |
Globally,
print medium revenue growth has been slowing down. In fact in most
advanced markets, revenues are already declining. While in the "developing"
markets (typically the Middle East, India, China, Africa) there is
no decline as yet - but a slowdown in growth is apparent.
This is reflected in many ways. The most striking is that the (still)
venerable Wall Street Journal has decided to accept ads on its front
page - something it has steadfastly refused since inception, so many
decades ago.
In its quest for growth, by now almost every newspaper has understood
that the Web is more her ally rather than a mistress! No wonder, around
the world, newspapers seem to be setting up online versions (e-papers)
with a vengance. The larger ones are also acquiring online properties
at a frenzied pace. While magazines are joining newspapers to set
up blogs.
Meanwhile TV Channels are drawing inspiration from their online (video)
counterparts. Witness a successful YouTube.com being (reportedly)
copied by MTV. Or a MySpace.com being acquired by News Corp.
TV broadcasters are also expanding geographically - with most international
broadcasters looking East, more specifically India & China! Take the
recent j.v. between Times of India & Reuters TV. Or the proposed Bloomberg
TV's alliance with the India Today Group. Or Malaysian broadcaster
Astro eyeing electronic media in India, Indonesia & China.
Meanwhile, an Indian Court has (once again!) chastized an unrepentant
Govt. - for not implementing Conditional Access System (CAS) for Indian
TV viewers. Finally, Indian cable TV viewers may enjoy digital quality
if this time, the Indian Govt. adheres to the December 31, 2006 deadline.
Rocket Science: A consortium comprising of French National
Space Research Centre (CNES), Orange & Alcatel have launched the 1st
live trials of their hybrid fixed-satellite mobile TV system (DVB-H
in the S-band for techno enthusiasts).
Finally, an example of the effect of the Web on the established order
(based on Forbes.com CEO Jim Spanfeller's recent interview to Beet.TV)
:
Forbes.com has set up a sophisticated online video platform. And is
one of a few companies who produce a significant amount of original
online video content (pertaining to business news, analysis & interests).
CNBC on the other hand is an established, leading TV Channel addressing
approximately the same target audience.
Simply because Forbes.com delivers its video content via the ubiquitous
Internet, it could actually outgrow established leader CNBC Channel's
approximately 3,00,000 viewers per day in the coming year or so.
All depending of course, on how fast online video gets accepted !
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