BC1001 - Newsdesk - Children less exposed to junk food ads

Ofcom has released its first research into the effectiveness of the junk food TV advertising ban around children's programming, with data indicating a 20% reduction in food and drinks ads shown to under-16s.
The mostly positive data, which covers the first six months since Ofcom began the phased introduction of junk food ad restrictions, will buoy an embattled ad industry facing calls for more draconian measures.
Ofcom said that, overall, the advertising of all food and drinks products - not just those specifically high in fat, sugar and salt - to children has "declined in line with predicted forecasts".
A comparison of the period from April to September in 2005 and 2007 showed that the number of commercial impacts - the viewing of one ad, one time, by one person - among four- to 15-year-olds of food and drink ads has decreased by 20%.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/12/advertising.ofcom

Very interesting to see that Advertisiers are not now targeting children with Junk Food ads - although is it just that they have shifted the focus of their advertising to their 'Healthy Option' type Products therefore still keeping the brand names in the Public Eye..? I'll keep my eyes on them and see if it is true...could be an interesting point....

BC1001 - Newsdesk - Murdoch buys faith-based website

Has Rupert Murdoch found God ??... or just 3 Million more People......

Rupert Murdoch has made yet another addition to his digital portfolio with the acquisition of Beliefnet, one of the world's largest spirituality sites.
The site will become part of the Fox Digital Media Group, sitting alongside other faith-orientated businesses including the publishers HarperOne and TV programming on 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Terms of the deal are undisclosed.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/04/rupertmurdoch.digitalmedia

An Interesting development in the Media as it shows that large groups of people (Beliefnet has 3 Million users a month) regardless of their motivation for joining an online Community, are seen as a 'Market' to be tapped into. The Fox group looks to be wanting to target Sales, Advertising and Content at Beliefnet users - it will be interesting to see how this develops as I would imagine this Community wouldn't be avid Consumers and would have to be targeted in a very subtle way.

BC1001 - Newsdesk

News deaths hit an all-time high

At least 171 journalists and other news media staff have died as a result of their work around the world so far this year, making 2007 the bloodiest year on record for the industry.
With more than a month still to go before the end of the year, the all-time high of 168 deaths recorded in 2006 was exceeded on Tuesday when at least three editorial staff were killed in Sri Lanka during a military air strike on a radio station.
"This horrible statistic should be regarded as a low point in the safety and welfare of the media profession. We need better protection for media workers worldwide," said the president of the International News Safety Institute (INSI), Chris Cramer.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/greenslade/2007/11/news_deaths_hit_an_alltime_hig.html

Ermmm .... a very interesting Stat - I think I might chat to Mike about a change of Course, something a bit less Dangerous !!

BC1001 - User Generated Content

Here's a story I found on User Generated Content - it outlines the findings from a Survey by Accenture amongst Media & Entertainment Executives.

The Media Industry appears to see UGC as a major threat to their Business and all seem to agree they will be making money from UGC in some way or another with in a couple of years - but most were unsure how !

User-Generated Content Is Top Threat to Media and Entertainment Industry, Accenture Survey Finds

NEW YORK; April 16, 2007 –Media and entertainment executives see the growing ability and eagerness of individuals to create their own content as one of the biggest threats to their business, according to results of a survey released today by Accenture (NYSE: ACN).

In its annual survey of senior executives in the media and entertainment industry, Accenture examined the growth strategies of companies across the landscape of advertising, film, music, publishing, radio, the Internet, videogames and television.

More than half (57 percent) of the respondents identified the rapid growth of user-generated content — which includes amateur digital videos, podcasts, mobile phone photography, wikis and social-media blogs — as one of the top three challenges they face today. In addition, more than two-thirds (70 percent) of respondents said they believe that social media, one of the largest segments of user-generated content, will continue to grow, compared with only 3 percent of respondents who said they view social media as a fad.

The new landscape offers opportunities as well as challenges, according to the study, as two-thirds (68 percent) of the respondents said they believe that within three years their businesses will be making money on user-generated content. Sixty-two percent said they believe their companies will make money through advertising and sponsorships of social media. Other sources of profits cited were subscriptions (21 percent) and pay-per-play offerings (18 percent). However, a quarter (24 percent) of respondents said they do not yet know how their businesses will profit from user-generated content.

http://accenture.tekgroup.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=4534

BC1001 - Media Consumption

I've been tracking my Media Consumption over the last few weeks and surprised myself with how much I'm getting through !

My consumption is crammed into small chunks of the day because I work 8 til 6 Monday to Wednesday, have a young son (Rory - 8 months), and also have a few Band Projects on the go so I'm always busy with something - so I wonder how I cram all this in .....

Web Browsing -
Average 2 hours a day, some at work, some at home. Check email, Banking, Uni work & research, Social Networking Sites, World News, buying Presents, Concert Tickets, checking Gigs & Entertainment news.
TV -
Average 2 hours per day. Rarely watch any scheduled shows apart from Match of the Day, Documentaries or Wildlife Programmes. Watch a lot of Music Documentaries on "Mainstreet" Channel.
Watch around 4 DVDs per week - we use Lovefilm.com for DVD Rentals so watch a bit of a mixed bag of stuff (recently - Hotel Rwanda, Hostel, Finding Neverland)
Newspapers -
1 hour per week. we get a 'quality' paper delivered on a Saturday and mindless tat on a Sunday ! Rarely read them both fully.
Books -
4 hours per week - Currently reading 'In the Fast Lane' - the Story of the Eagles , 'Zen Guitar' - a Zen approach to Guitar Playing , 'All you need to know about the Music Business' - as the title suggests.
Music \ Radio -
Listening Mostly in the Car - 1 hour per day. Also I'm doing occasional Sound Engineering for an Elvis Impersonator so that adds about an hour a week !
Guitar Playing -
5 hours per week - This counts on a few media fronts ! I'm currently learning some Elton John Songs for a Project so I'm watching the DVDs, Listening to the CD's, learning the parts from a Songbook plus researching the Guitar parts on Internet Guitar Sites and watching live Performances of the songs on YouTube.

Newsdesk - BC1001 wk8

BBC Licences Top Gear to Australia


Matt Campbell, the SBS director of content, said he wanted to do something new."In making it, we won't simply replicate the UK series with an Australian version of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond or James May," Campbell said. "SBS plans to make a programme that is uniquely and quintessentially Australian."

Australia is to get its own version of Top Gear after the BBC signed its first international licensing deal for the popular motoring show.
State-owned SBS, which was set up to be a multicultural broadcaster but carries advertising, will screen the programme from next year with a planned eight episodes.
The production is the first by Sydney-based Freehand Productions since BBC Worldwide bought a minority stake in January.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/19/bbc.television

This Story seems to have not been widely reported in the Media, least of all on the BBC Website, but could be seen as a Major change in the way the BBC will operate and look to gain a foothold in Foreign Markets. BBC Programmes are sold and shown throughout the World and are renowned for their quality – but this takes things a step further.


Australian 'Ute'

BBC Worldwide – the BBC’s Commercial arm – is looking to Licence spin off Programmes around the world and plans to have 8 Production Offices or Joint Ventures with Production Offices by March next year. BBC Worldwide owns a 25% Stake in Freehand Productions (who will be Producing Top Gear for Australia) and has also opened Production Offices in Los Angeles and Mumbai.

So, this is not a sudden response to the Funding Shortfall, but a plan that is already in action – I wonder if as part of the deal the International Versions will be Licenced to the BBC for the UK Market for free ?

This will be something to watch with interest - a new British Empire ?!!





Sources ;

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/19/bbc.television

http://www21.sbs.com.au/topgear/

http://www.freehandtv.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&taindex.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=31#topgearsbs

BC1001 - Week 6 Assignment - Job Advertisement

Here's my take on a Job Advert for a Sound Recordist !

Genre : Entertainment

Working Area : Bath, South West

Contract Duration : 6 Months - or until the show is canned\ taken off of the air for Legal reasons -whichever is sooner

Salary : £not much

Job Description :
Sound Recordist, BSU Multimedia Productions
"The Custard & Flugelhorn" Show

We are looking for an experienced and Technically proficient Sound Recordist for the Award Winning Intellectual Entertainment Show "The Custard & Flugelhorn" - where unsuspecting Classical Musicians are asked to play Technically Difficult pieces on the Flugelhorn and are judged on their ability to keep playing despite being jeered by a baying mob and pelted with custard. The mob score points for the amount of custard that is retrieved from the Horn at the end of the piece.


Job Specification :
Job Title - Sound Recordist
Department - BSU Multimedia Entertainment
Contract - 6 Months
Base - Bath
Start Date - tbc.

Aim of the Job :
Working as part of the Technical Team Responsible for ensuring that the Sound Recorded during the Prodution is of the required Standard and Quality for Broadcast.

Key Responsibilities :

Must be skilled at capturing the best possible sound quality for the programme.

Must be able to work in a Loud, Messy and potientially hazardous environment.

Must be skilled at Micing Flugelhorns and Baying Mobs.

Key Competences :

The ability to relate clearly, calmly and professionally with your crew and your subjects, be they film stars, streets sweepers, politicians, TV presenters, or whoever, is a huge priority - plus be able to beat a hasty retreat should the baying mob turn on them.

An appreciation of sound, the various qualities it can possess and those things that can effect recorded sound (from hard surfaces, room sizes, interference, custard etc) are a prerequisite.

Should be able to maintain and use all Sound Equipment Safely and with regard to the Health & Safety of others.

Should be able to take the necessary precautions and devise ingenious ways to Protect and shield the Equipment against flying custard whilst still maintaining Sound Quality.

BC1001 - Week 6 Assignment - Sound Recordist

The Job I would be interested from the list would be a Sound Recordist - I've always been interested in Sound & my experience as a Musician means I'm familiar with a lot of the Technical side of the Job. Ideally I'd like to be in a Job that combines Sound & Visual Editing - I've done quite a bit of work at home with editing home movies and adding Music. I get a real buzz out of making the Music & Visuals work together and coming up with an interesting result - something that doesn't bore people to tears when they watch it !

Here's a Description I found of the Role of Sound Recordist.

What you do: The range of the job.

A Sound Recordists prime function is to make sound recordings of outstanding quality, free from interference and all unwanted noise.That sounds relatively straightforward, but can prove very difficult,especially when recording that vital scene or interview near Heathrow, the M4, East Coast Mainline, road works, clock tower, play ground etc.

Recording in sound proof studios is generally less challenging than location work, but making a large space sound intimate or vice versa, tracing the odd hum to source, or isolating equipment noise can still take forever.As a Sound Recordist it is possible to work across a wide variety of television and film formats or genres, but as with most production roles people tend to specialise in one or two areas, such as commercials and features, documentaries and live concerts, or wildlife.

Each type of production has its particular set of aural challenges. On a large scale feature film, for example, the Sound Department may be relatively large by television documentary standards, consisting of a Sound Recordist or Mixer, one or two Boom Operators and a Sound Trainee. The quantity of microphones and equipment employed may differ also, with two boom microphones which are mics on poles, being operated and recorded simultaneously, possibly in conjunction with clip mics, tie mics which are mics fitted to actors. This requires the Sound Recordist or Mixer to monitor several mic inputs at the same time via a small mobile mixing desk, usually found installed in a custom made trolley.

http://www.startintv.com/jobs/sound-recordist.php

BC1001 - Week 6 Assignment - Production Roles

Executive Producer - The producer has the overall responsibility for making the programme happen, from selecting the production team and presenters, to guiding and motivating them throughout the whole production process.

Production Executive - Their job is to examine the script "as though it were a cake ready for baking". They "work with the independent production companies to agree how much all the ingredients will cost and how long it will take to complete the filming and deliver the final transmission tapes"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/ballykissangel/interview-jackson.shtml

Series Producer - The Series producer has the overall responsibility for making the programme happen, from selecting the production team and presenters, to guiding and motivating them throughout the whole production process

Producer - Producers coordinate all the resources needed to make film, TV and video productions, and manage the production process from start to finish

Associate Producer - Associate Producers carry out significant functions in the production or post-production process, which would otherwise be performed by the Producer, Executive Producer or Co-Producer. These responsibilities may range from helping to raise production finance at the beginning of the production process, to supervising the final stages of post-production.

Series Editor - the Senior Editor on the Production.

Script Editor - Works with the Writers and makes improvements to the Script before it goes to the Executive Producer(s)

Director - The television director, who sits atop the chain of command of the crew during the actual filming or taping of the show, is responsible for the visualization of the TV program, selecting the different camera angles and compositions that will used
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/directortel/directortel.htm

1st Assistant Director - Assistant directors, known in the industry as 'ADs', support directors by organising and planning everything on a film set. The role is usually divided into 1st, 2nd and 3rd ADs.
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile507/

Location Manager - Location Managers are responsible for finding, contracting and organising locations ranging from street corners, industrial estates or even someone's house, and making sure filming in those locations runs smoothly
http://www.skillset.org/tv/people/article_2574_1.asp

Unit Manager - An executive who is responsible to a senior producer for the administration of a particular movie. Unit Production Managers only work on one film at a time - normally responsible for Health & Safety and ensuring all Cast & Crew have completed the relevant H&S training.

2nd AD - Assistant directors, known in the industry as 'ADs', support directors by organising and planning everything on a film set. The role is usually divided into 1st, 2nd and 3rd ADs.
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile507/

3rd AD - Assistant directors, known in the industry as 'ADs', support directors by organising and planning everything on a film set. The role is usually divided into 1st, 2nd and 3rd ADs.
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile507/

Production Co-Ordinator - Responsible for planning and budgeting the filming schedule, the travel logistics, filming permits and post production processes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/mammals/tv/production_coordinator.shtml

Runner - The work can vary hugely. Runners may be called on to do almost any unskilled task required to help the production go smoothly
http://www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/index.cfm?pid=57&catalogueContentID=504&render=detailedArticle

Designer - Television designers create or select exterior and interior scenes for productions. They then prepare a scale model or drawing and supervise the construction of their sets.

Art Director - Produces visual materials for educational and instructional television programs, including graphics, photography, set design, and exhibits
http://www.brockport.edu/~shra/jobspecs/3779900.htm

Properties Buyer - Responsible for Buying any Specific Props Required for the Programme

Properties Master - Property Masters* control all aspects of Property Departments. They oversee, and are responsible for, the procurement or production, inventory, care and maintenance of all props associated with productions, ensuring that they are available on time, and within budgetary requirements
http://www.skillset.org/film/jobs/props/article_3906_1.asp

Standby Medical Props - Standby Props work on set during the filming of a scene, overseeing the use of props, and monitoring their continuity. They must be able to respond to requests immediately, moving props and fixtures to help position Actors, crew and equipment. (In this case the Props will be of a Medical Nature)
http://www.skillset.org/film/jobs/props/article_3912_1.asp

Standby Props - (as above)

Costume Designer - Costume designers are responsible for the overall look of the clothes and costumes in theatre, film or television productions
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile915/

Costume Assistant - works under the direction of the Costume Designer & makes the required Costumes

Dressers - Dress the sets with the required items \ furniture etc to recreate the correct period for the Production.

Make-up Designer - Make-up and Hair Designers usually work on feature films and high budget television dramas and must be proficient in both make-up and hair techniques. Make-up and Hair are key elements in the overall design of films or television productions, creating a look for the characters in relation to social class, and time periods, and any other elements required to create the desired illusion

Make-up Assistants - work under the direction of the make-up Designer

Lighting Director - Lighting Director is the most senior role in television lighting departments. Using the script or brief from the Production team they design the specific look required for each shot. They use their advanced technical skills to realise the design and, with the help of the rest of the lighting department, to set up and operate specialised lights and accessories
http://www.skillset.org/tv/jobs/lighting/article_2788_1.asp

Gaffer - They are responsible for all the practical aspects of lighting sets and locations - they report to the Lighting Director

Vision Engineer - Responsible for setting up & Rigging Monitors and all related equipment

Camera Operator - Camera operators record moving images for film, television, commercials, music videos and corporate productions. They operate film, videotape and digital video cameras, usually under the instruction of a director or a director of photography.
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile519/

Camera Assistant - The camera assistant works under the direction of the camera operator, or reports directly to the lighting camera operator or director of photography if there is no camera operator.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=camera+assistant&meta=

Camera Trainee - Junior Assistant to the Camera Team

Grip - Grips' responsibility is to build and maintain all the equipment that supports cameras. This equipment, which includes tripods, dollies, tracks, jibs, cranes, and static rigs
http://www.startintv.com/jobs/grip.php

Sound Recordist - Sound Recordists/Production Mixers record sound on location or in a studio, usually in synchronisation with the camera, to enable the highest quality 'real' sound to be recorded at the time of filming/recording.
http://www.skillset.org/tv/jobs/sound/article_2794_1.asp

Boom Operator - Working either on location or on a studio set under the supervision of the Sound Supervisor/Production Mixer, the Boom Operator's main responsibility is to control the long boom arm, either hand-held or dolly-mounted (on wheels), with the microphone attached, manoeuvring it as close to the action as possible without getting it in shot
http://www.skillset.org/tv/jobs/sound/article_2791_1.asp

Sound Trainee - Working under the supervision of the Sound Supervisor, TV Sound Assistants must be able to carry out a variety of tasks, including assembling and maintaining sound recording equipment, setting up communication and public address systems, and positioning microphones. They may also play in music from tapes, CDs, or computers, or operate sound effects as necessary

VT Editor - Responsible for Editing the Footage

Casting - Responsible for Casting the Actors

Artists Booker - Books the Actors Cast in the Programme

Production Accountant - Production Accountants are responsible for managing finances and maintaining financial records during film production. They work closely with the Producer and the production office to prepare schedules and budgets for film productions, as well as managing the day-to-day accounting office functions, and reporting the projects' financial progress against the budgets
http://www.skillset.org/film/jobs/article_3903_1.asp

Assistant Production Accountant - (Assistant to above)

Researcher - They could be involved in anything from researching information for documentaries to finding studio audiences and guests for entertainment shows, or picture and archive research.

Script Secretary - Responsible for updating the Script with any changes and ensuring it gets circulated to everyone that needs to see it

Publicist - plan and execute all aspects of media relations, including working with agencies and contractors, media info services, clipping services, etc

Picture Publicity - The Picture Publicist provides the press with all of the images that they need. The Picture Publicist arranges cover shoots for magazines. The unit photographers take the pictures, but the Picture Publicist commissions and edits them

(Where I have copied a Description directly from a Website I have linked to it - where I have taken Information from multiple Sources I haven't !)

ASA Concerns

The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) is and Independant body set up by the Advertising Industry to police itself and ensure standards of Taste and Decency within Advertising are upheld.

The ASA has particular areas of concern - here are extracts from their Website that explain how they are approached -

Taste & Decency - About 20% of all of the complaints received by the ASA are about advertisements that have caused offence. Judging these complaints is a delicate task, and the ASA interprets the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing, which states that advertisements should not cause serious or widespread offence, and that special care should be taken not to offend on the grounds of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability. A lot will depend on the medium used and the context of any particular advertisement, and the ASA conducts regular research to gauge public opinion on these issues.
http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/focus/issue/Taste+and+Decency.htm

Social Responsibility -

•The use of shocking images that could cause undue fear and distress
•The depiction of scenes that could encourage people to behave in an irresponsible
or unsafe way
•The advertising of products, or their consumption, in ways that can be harmful to
health
•Advertising to children that could make them feel inferior, encourage them to pester
their parents, or result in their physical, mental or moral harm
http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:1lII8L7cRgIJ:www.asa.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/5FBBCC12-53CD-4655-ACAF-4C911B8AD1A0/0/social_responsibility_20050928.pdf+advertising+standards+social+responsibility&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=uk

Children - The effects of advertising on children, and the use of children in advertisements, are particularly sensitive issues. The CAP Code includes a number of requirements and special rules covering 'pester power', direct appeals to children, and parental permission to buy.
http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/focus/issue/Children.htm

Microphones - The Neumann D-01 - Polar Patterns

Directional characteristic:
15 remote controllable polar patterns, from omni to cardioid to figure-8

OMNI
Cardiod
Figure 8

Microphones - The Neumann D-01

The Neumann D-01

We Chose the Neumann D-01 because Neumann are the De-Facto Standard when it comes to top-end Studio Condenser Mics and the D-01 (although not yet released) will be a Technological Breakthrough when it's finally available .....(blimey this is sounding like a sales pitch !!)

The thing about this Mic is that it has a built in Digital Encoder that converts the Analogue Signal into a Digital one within the Mic and transmits it via a Standard Balanced XLR Cable as a 24 Bit Signal.

Costs ; Likely to be between £3000-7000 depending on Accessories (Cradle, Software etc..)Comms&Sound.com, Soundlightltd.com, mveducation.com

Application ; High-end Studio Condenser Mic for Vocals & Instruments

Meets professional audio production requirements and permits recording with no “bottlenecks” or loss of signal quality. Unreleased yet but to be used as a high-end analog studio microphone.
Analog studio microphone. Uses digital technology though so gives fantastic dynamic range.

Type ; Condenser Mic

Used with Mac or PC as a remote controlling center for recording. Features an extremely wide dynamic range of more than 130dB. Phantom powering.

Connector ; Standard 3 Pin XLR Connector - which can carry Analogue Audio and/or 24 Bit Digital, AES/EBU

Polar Patterns ; (see seperate post for diags..)

Directional characteristic: 15 remote controllable polar patterns, from omni to cardioid to figure-8 OMNI Cardiod Figure 8

Pro's & Cons ; Hard to say as the Mic is not released yet - but a Common Misconception with Studio Engineers Recording a Single Vocal or Instrument is to put the Mic into Cardiod Mode and wonder why the Sound becomes thin and 'tinny'. This is because Neumann Mics (and other Condenser Mics) historically use Phase Cancellation to achieve a Cardiod Response and this can affect the quality of the sound - so the Rule is use Omni unless you have good reason not to !

Frequency Response ; 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Frequency response refers to the way a microphone responds to different frequencies. It is a characteristic of all microphones that some frequencies are exaggerated and others are attenuated (reduced). For example, a frequency response which favours high frequencies means that the resulting audio output will sound more trebly than the original sound.

Radio Show Treatment

Radio Programme Treatment

Premise ;

A Half Hour Radio Documentary Exploring the world of the Professional Tribute Artist, what motivates them to do what they do, how much effort they put into their work and why the Audience goes to watch Tribute Acts.

The Programme will Interview a number of Artists, their Management, their Audience and play examples of their work.

“I wanna see a f**kin’ show!!!” – Booking Agent

Genre & Characters

The Programme will be a Documentary format with Interviews, Soundbytes & Performance Clips from a number of Tribute Artists which could include ; Elvis, John Lennon, Elton John, Suggs (Madness) & Sting. These will be enhanced with Interviews with a Tribute Artists Booking Agent – who with years in the Business will have plenty of insight and some great stories to add to the Show.

Added to the clips above will be short Interviews with Audience members at a Tribute Show to find out why they go and see the Bands & spend their hard earned money on them – these will not just be complimentary comments – the aim is to get people to really say what they feel !

Pace, Mood & Style

The Pace will be fairly quick moving and will be light hearted. Artists will be asked to provide background & anecdotes on what motivated them to become Artists and to provide funny stories from Gigs. They talk about how they achieve the sound & look of their idol & how much detail they go into with their Costumes. Audience will be asked to give Interesting Quotes & Insight and Rate the Artists they’ve seen.

Closing Statement

Recap the Show and get some really great quotes from featured Artists to close – leave with a Positive view of the genre and give details of any upcoming shows.

Discovery

I know - not relevant here but couldn't resist it !

Discovery Channel - Audience

Here is an extract from an Article from the 6th of June 2007 - it appears the Discovery Channel has been struggling for Ratings but has recevied an enormous Boost from Oprah Winfrey and the 'Cute' Factor of Snow Leopards - shows that not just British Audiences are suckers for cute Wildlife Films ! Further Series are in the making and could benefit the BBC and the British Audience as well.

(Fortune Magazine) -- Just when Madison Avenue felt the Discovery Channel had lost its way because of mind-expanding fare like "American Chopper," salvation came this spring in the form of a snow leopard and talk-show diva Oprah Winfrey. The leopard was just one of the stars of "Planet Earth," a $25 million co-production with the BBC.
And Winfrey was so taken by advance footage of the 11 episodes that she repeatedly commanded her viewers to tune in for the March 25 premiere: "You, everybody you know, everybody in your family, should watch this show - because we all live on planet Earth."

The Oprah Effect helped the average Sunday-night airing of "Planet Earth" draw 5.1 million viewers - nearly twice as many eyeballs as the typical "O'Reilly Factor." An edition of the DVD is No. 1 on Amazon. A second season and a movie are in the offing

Discovery - Future of Programme Delivery

Discovery Channel is already looking to a future Audience by setting up 'Discovery On Demand' where Programmes can be bought online by Subscription. This is a good move because you would expect their Audience to be the kind of people to use this facility and they can also Target and gain useful Specific Programming Information for what people really watch and want to see.

Here's the UK Subscription Rates ;

Discovery On Demand gives you access to the best of Discovery on your PC. Watch a wide range of full-length Discovery programmes - with all the ad breaks taken out!
There are two ways of subscribing, through either a monthly package at £3.50 per month, or annually at £35.00 (please note that one month is the minimum period).
http://www.discoveryondemand.co.uk/broadband/broadband.jsp?site=uk&template=subscribe

Here;s an example of a Free Clip - a lot of the Content is Web Exclusive and cannot be seen on TV

http://www.discoveryondemand.co.uk/broadband/broadband.jsp?site=uk&template=freeclipplay&clip_id=59

Discovery - Future Concerns - Genetic Engineering

I found this article that outlines concerns raised for the future of Genetic Engineering and the effect this may have on the Human Race and the 'Designer Baby' Scenario - it's certainly food for thought ! just how far in this field of Research is it morally acceptable to proceed ?

Many people have serious concerns about this research. Firstly because of the fear of viruses crossing from animals into humans, just like the HIV virus is believed to have spread. Another concern is the treatment of these animals. People are questioning whether we should be using animals as mini factories to produce what we want. Many argue that animals should not be treated as mere commodities for us to manipulate.
The technology being used to create these genetically-modified animals could one day be used to genetically alter humans. In the future, couples could decide which gene they would like taken out or put in, before they have a child, resulting in, what some see, as the nightmare ‘designer baby’ scenario.
People fear this could divide the human race, creating a genetically superior master race and a genetic underclass, left to the mercy of nature. This could just be science fiction, but what is very likely in the near future is that parents will choose to have undesirable disease-causing genes removed from their embryos, creating healthier children. Only time will tell what the long-term consequences of this will be.
http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/science/dna/genetic_engineering/index.shtml

Discovery - a Short Clip about Laughter Yoga

I found this short clip on YouTube and it really is ground-breaking Stuff !!

I mean, laughter ??!!! , good for you ???

Strewth - would never have worked that one out !

DISCOVERY - Audience & Format \ Types of Programmes

The Stats below show the top 10 Programmes on Discovery for the week 30/09/07.

Click on the Image to view it Larger !

http://http//www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklytop30&requesttimeout=500&flag=viewingsummary



The Programmes would appeal to Educated Men\ Women aged about 25 + and are mostly Factual Documentaries with Voice-over. Programmes tend to be in the areas of ; Nature \ Wildlife, Science, History,Health & Lifestyle, Travel, Engineering, Reality & Crime.

Wahey Broadband !!

Finally got my Broadband at home !! Great to be online again ..........

DISCOVERY - Background

The Discovery family of Channels cover a wide range of Audience Demographics and Age Groups - also there are Channels Dedicated to Spanish Speakers as well .

Here's a few examples of the Channels around the World ;

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 160 countries and territories with 1.3 billion cumulative subscribers. DCI’s over 100 networks of distinctive programming represent 27 network entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Español, Discovery Kids En Español, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel & Living (Viajar y Vivir), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time. DCI’s other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce, which operates more than 100 Discovery Channel Stores in the U.S. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. (Discovery Communications Inc)

DISCOVERY - UK Ownership

In the UK Ownership seems to be a Corporate Maze - try and navigate through this to see who actually 'owns' the Channel !! .... .... I've left a lot of text there because it's curious to see the tangled web of ownership behind the TV Companies.......

UK Gold is Britain's most successful satellite channel outside BSkyB. Stakes held by BBC and Telecommunications Inc (TCI). TCI is a US corporation whose subsidiary in Britain is Flextech, which owns The Family Channel, Playboy, Bravo, Discovery and The Sega Channel and has a 20% holding in Scottish TV; TCI, through its UK subsidiary Tinta, also is part-owner of TeleWest, the UK's largest cable operator. (An interesting recent development (early 1999), which highlights the extraordinary complexity of the global media, is Murdoch's move to full ownership of Fox/Liberty, buying out John Maolne's US-based Liberty Media. Liberty Media own a controlling share in Flextech, which probably means that we will see a close co-operation between BSkyB and Flextech's UK-based pay-TV operation in the near future.) In addition, TCI owns the largest cable operation in the US (but is nevertheless also behind two US satellite systems), has a presence in eighteen countries (including France's Canal+) and interests in more than a hundred programme outlets, including Ted Turner's Turner Broadcasting Sytems and many Japanese outlets. TCI is also a major investor in Bill Gates's Microsoft Network. Not unlike Murdoch's UK-based News International, TCI (run by John Malone) has never shown a profit (and therefore not paid taxes). As an example of the complexity of media ownership, consider the Federal Trade Commission's permission for the merger of Turner Broadcasting Systems and Time-Warner: the FTC had concerns about the monopoly implications of the deal as TCI owns 7.5% of Time-Warner and 22% of Turner. As Time-Warner and Turner account for around 50% of US cable subscribers, the FTC required TCI to transfer its shares in Time-Warner to another company spun off from TCI's control and also to require some cable systems to carry another news service in addition to CNN.

http://www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/media/mediaown.html

So the Answer is Flextech - a Subsidiary of the American Company TCI.

Congrats if you managed to read all of the above !!

DISCOVERY - Who owns the Company ? - USA

Discovery Communications Inc is the US Company who own the Channel - the content is Licensed and Syndicated throughout the world by Digital and Cable Operators ;

DCI’s ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company’s Founder and Chairman. (Discovery Communications Inc)

DISCOVERY - Funding & Revenue & Distribution

The company first began as a single network – the Discovery Channel – in 1985, with 156,000 subscribers. Today Discovery’s 101 worldwide networks reach more than 1.3 billion subscribers in over 160 countries and territories and 35 languages. (Discovery Channel International)

Discovery therefore is Funded and Receives Revenue from Subscribers - 1.3 Billion of them !

Programmes are Distributed via Cable & Satellite Networks to Subscribers and can be purchased on-demand Online.