Friday’s Social TV Must-Reads (Feb. 15)
CBS rules the ratings, but how is it doing financially? How about Discovery, with all its acquisitions? Read our daily must-reads and find out.
But there is just so much more. What? Yes, indeed. Daily we scour the Internet for the most recent news for social TV professionals and compile it into our noon report and share it with you. And, yes, you need to read and stay current, even on a Friday. This industry moves fast, trust us on that.
Today, check out the opinion piece from Australia where a marketer wonders if the TV industry could actually collaborate to make the second-screen experience better. That’s a thought we heard during the just finished first leg of the Social TV Thought Leadership Roadshow. Another must-read is Twitter’s new research hire, and an interview with Facebook’s measurements exec.
There’s a whole lot more, so give and look and tell us what you think!
TV Highlights
Weekend TV
USA Today picks “Killing Lincoln” on National Geographic on Sunday at 8, the season finale of “Downton Abbey” on PBS at 9 on Sunday and “The Good Wife” on CBS Sunday at 9.
Read the article, http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2013/02/14/bianco-critics-corner-feb-15/1917007/
TV Ratings
‘Idol’ Dips, ‘Survivor’ Returns Low, ‘Arrow’ Trumps NBC Comedies
“American Idol” topped Wednesday night for Fox in both adults 18-49 and total viewers, though it did hit some noteworthy lows in the process. Fast National returns give the two-hour episode 13.4 million viewers and a 4.3 rating among adults 18-49, both lows for a Wednesday outing since the series’ debut season in 2002.
Read the article, via THR http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-idol-dips-survivor-421575
Technology
Automated Insights uses MLB’s big data to generate slick game feeds, replays and commentary
Big Data company Automated Insights is launching a slick demo app today at the On Deck sports and tech conference based on its ‘artificial intelligence platform’ for real-time data. It’s called Real-time Insights for MLB and it presents games from the 2012 season in an interactive format that allows you to watch them happen in “real-time” (actually slightly faster).
Read the article, http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/02/12/automated-insights-uses-the-mlbs-big-data-to-generate-slick-game-replays-and-commentary/
Apps
When TV stopped being antisocial
Whilst still quite rightly fiercely competitive, it would be quite nice if the TV industry were able to work on something collaboratively together as opposed to trying to do everything themselves, outdo each other and end up simply annoying/confusing consumers.
Read the article, http://www.bandt.com.au/opinion/when-tv-stopped-being-antisocial
Advertising
- After Slow Start Sina Is Now Focused On Monetizing Weibo
Advertising revenues from Weibo currently represent around 15% of the company’s total advertising revenues. It aims to enhance its advertising revenues from Weibo by introducing promoted feed advertising and bolstering its mobile platform.
Read the article, http://www.trefis.com/stock/sina/articles/168529/after-slow-start-sina-is-now-focused-on-monetizing-weibo/2013-02-14
- 5.3 Trillion Ad Impressions Served in 2012
ComScore just released its Digital Future In Focus report for 2013 noting that 5.3 trillion impressions were served in the United States, but three in 10 are never actually rendered in-view.
Read the article http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/14/comscore-digital-future-2013/
Get the research http://www.comscore.com/Insights/Presentations_and_Whitepapers/2013/2013_US_Digital_Future_in_Focus
Data
Google’s flu snafu and the reliability of web data
Johns Hopkins University computer scientist Michael Paul told Nature that he’s a big believer in Twitter data, especially because it generates a large dataset that’s less susceptible to sample errors than smaller-scale projects such as Flu Near You. He claims to have developed a model that can accurately track the flu using Twitter, something a handful of other projects are already working on.
Read the article http://gigaom.com/2013/02/14/googles-flu-snafu-and-the-reliability-of-web-data/
People
- Twitter Hires First-Ever Research Chief from Google
Jeffrey Graham worked at Google for the last year and a half but is a veteran of the agency world, having worked for Starcom MediaVest for three years as research lead on the Procter & Gamble business and later at Initiative as worldwide director of performance.
Read the article http://adage.com/article/digital/twitter-hires-research-chief-google/239827/
- Tribune Appoints Larry Wert President Of Local Broadcasting
Tribune Co. announced the appointment of veteran television and radio executive Larry Wert as president of its local broadcasting businesses. Wert will be responsible for directing the strategy and operations of Tribune ’s 23 local television stations and WGN Radio in Chicago. Wert will assume his new role in the near future and he will report directly to Tribune CEO Peter Liguori.
Read the article http://www.tvtechnology.com/news/0086/tribune-appoints-larry-wert-president-of-local-broadcasting/217772
Q&A with Facebook Head of Measurement Research Development and Partnerships Sean Bruich
But it’s getting harder and harder to plan your campaign because there are more ways to reach consumers. It’s not just TV and online.
Read the article, http://www.insidefacebook.com/2013/02/14/qa-with-facebook-head-of-measurement-research-development-and-partnerships-sean-bruich/
Financials
- CBS Corp. Misses, Profit Rises
Fourth-quarter 2012 earnings of 64 cents a share jumped 14.3% from 56 cents earned in the year-ago quarter. Higher advertising revenue and rise in affiliate and subscription fees were the driving factors. Lower interest expense and share repurchase activities also provided cushion to the bottom line.
Read the article http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/92858/cbs-corp-misses-profit-rises
- Discovery Communications’ profit misses Wall Street view
Discovery said on Thursday that fourth-quarter net income fell 33 percent to $224 million, or 61 cents per share. The company attributed the decline to higher taxes, equity-based compensation and costs due to its acquisitions.
Read the article, via Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/15/us-discoverycommunications-results-idUSBRE91D0R320130215
Research
The popularity of Twitter and Instagram among blacks in American is surging, while white women under 50 continue to pin away on Pinterest, according to a demographic survey released Thursday by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project.
Read the article, via USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/02/14/pew-social-media-survey/1921115/
Latin Market
- Brand Gallery gives Univision new look
Univision, considered the most-watched Spanish-language television company in the United States, contracted Greenwich-based Brand Gallery to reinvigorate its brand as the network battles with major competitor, Telemundo, for the 14 million Spanish-speaking households.
Read the article http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Brand-Gallery-gives-Univision-new-look-4280271.php
- (Release) Hispanicize Showcase
Hispanicize 2013 (www.hispanicizeevent.com) will take place April 9-13, 2013 at the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach
Read the article http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2013/2/14/journalists_ambitious_agenda_highlight_hispanicize_showcase.htm
Releases
CBS and AXS TV Partner To Enhance Leading Live Events Network Dedicated To Live Music And Pop Culture
CBS Corporation announced today that it has partnered with AXS TV to provide AXS TV with live event content. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. AXS was launched as HDNet by Mark Cuban and has now rebranded as AXS. The channel focuses on live events.
Sports
Twitter Impacts NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest
Because of Twitter, Terrence Ross, the Toronto Raptors rookie, will be in Houston this weekend participating in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend.
Read the article http://www.cnbc.com/id/100461684
Social TV Daily publishes a daily roundup of news articles from across the Internet. Excerpts are drawn from the content and full URLs are included.
