BROADCAST TV LEADS REACH
According to the 2023 Media Comparisons Study by GfK and TVB, linear TV reaches more viewers and “has the highest reach of all measured media platforms, reaching 77% of adults 18+.” Broadcast TV platforms, including websites and apps, “reach 89% of viewers who use non-ad supported streaming services.” Broadcast also builds reach more quickly even with fewer programs than streaming services. The research found that “despite cable having more networks, viewers spend almost double the time with broadcast TV compared to cable TV.” The report also found that local TV news is the most trusted platform, while 56% of respondents feel that TV ads motivate them to do online searches. (TVNewsCheck: 2/3/23)
MRC AND THE JIC
Media Rating Council’s CEO and Executive Director, George Ivie, sent a letter to advertisers, agencies, and members of the media industry stating that the MRC “welcomes and encourages” the formation of the JIC, but as of now, it cannot replace the MRC’s accreditation process. “While the role of JICs varies in markets where they exist around the world, no other market has a history and legacy like the U.S., in which Congressional hearings led to a Justice Department consent decree forming an independent self-regulatory body – the MRC – to ensure that the audience measurement suppliers meet certain minimum industry standards.” The JIC is formed by network-owned OpenAP, Video Advertising Bureau (VAB), and big TV-centric media companies including Fox Corp., NBCUniversal, Paramount, TelevisaUnivision, and Warner Bros Discovery. (MediaPost: 2/3/23)
SYNDICATION RENEWALS
Media fragmentation has impacted syndication with more shows and talent locked into longer-term renewals. “The biggest of these, by far, was the five-year deal that the ABC Owned Stations gave to Sony Pictures Television’s long-running game juggernauts Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.” Disney will pay about $1.6 million per week to carry both shows across its owned station group. This big deal resulted in a bidding war between ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC (who dropped out early) however, ABC came out victorious. Family Feud, Jennifer Hudson, and Sherri received renewals, as did Drew Barrymore (now in a half-hour format), and the weekly political show, Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien. And, in a return to TV, Craig Ferguson will host a clip show called Channel Surf. (B&C: 2/1/23)
BEST & WORST SERIES FINALES
The ending of a favorite TV show can make or break its reputation. The Guardian ranked some of the most memorable TV show endings of all time. Among the best include Blackadder Goes Forth, The Sopranos, Parks and Recreation, The Good Place, and more. The worst include Sex and the City, Game of Thrones, Dexter, Peaky Blinders, Ozark, and more. Spoiler alert: one of the shows (not listed above) winds up on both lists! (TheGuardian: 2/7/23)
