Journal Article Analysis
November 20, 2009
Thursday 19th Nov
Broadcast Now
ITN On has launched a new channel under the title The Christmas Channel. This will be hosted on Youtube and will feature original content surrounding the holiday. Content will include: – Celebrity interviews, “how to” guides on Christmas decorating and wrapping, toy reviews and films produced around the holiday. The channel will also contain television content shown online for the first time.
The project has been backed by the Jerusalem Trust and Jerusalem Productions to help “explain the significance of Christmas”.
Content will be uploaded from 16 November until January, and will also be available to download for free on the Apple iPhone.
ITN On already has six channels on YouTube, including news, music, books, video gaming etc.
What are your conclusions from this article: -
This is another example of content becoming more and more available online and on the move (mobile phones). This is just one more indication of how UK media broadcasting companies are using new media to deliver content.
Broadcast Now
Ofcom has called for a “shake-up of media ownership rules” in a routine three-yearly report to the culture secretary. They recommend that he changes legislation so that:
- All local commercial radio stations in an area can be owned by one operator, alongside the BBC’s local services.
- Local media operators can own any two out of the following three services: a local radio station; local newspapers with 50% or more market share; and a local television operator with a regional Channel 3 license.
This will allow local media companies to compete more effectively against the BBC and other providers. It will also “pave the way for a series of local media hubs”, bringing together local radio and newspaper groups, or local radio and television.
The move follows years of an ever widening gap between commercial companies and local media businesses widening.
What are your conclusions from this article: -
The gap between larger media compnaies and local media media businesses has been windening for a lng time now, especially in the digital world that we now live in. This has meant that local content has come under more and more threat from mass media. This is something that I think needs to be addressed. I feel it is important that local content is maintained, and large media providers do not have a monopoly over information.
Broadcast Now
A Broadcast survey (The Digital Future) has found that TV companies are failing to equip staff with the skills they need for the digital age.
The survey found that fewer than 1 in 5 people working in a TV company feel they are getting enough training in digital technologies, while 54% say they have had none. The survey also found that 78% feel they are obligated to train themselves. TV commissioners have been singled out for failing to think “digitally”.
Skillset, the industry body which supports skills and training for people and UK media businesses, will invite applications for a bursary scheme that will target freelancers wanting to undertake multi-platform training.
What are your conclusions from this article: -
In the digital age it is vital that everyone, at least to a certain degree, has the general skills to work with the new technologies. TV companies are failing to keep up with the new world by failing the people that work for them. If they are going to stay in the arena they have placed them-selves within they are going to have to invest in training.
