14 June 2008 Podcasting Seriously

There is no doubt in my mind that ABC is leading the way in new media of all the television networks.

Not only have they developed excellent websites which allow the viewers to become involved on another medium but they were the first to adopt the concept of podcasting. Whilst it’s far easier for them to do so given their non commercial status, this was the first step in what will soon change the way we view television in Australia.

The other commercial networks are tied down a little more with advertising issues. And that is why I would like to commend Network Ten.

They dipped their foot in the water by podcasting one sketch of the successful Thank God You’re Here online each week last year. For the entire season it didn’t leave the Top 5 Australian Podcasts in iTunes. Interestingly, these five minute segments were book marked with ten second spots.

They’ve now plunged head first and podcasted the entire show of Good News Week, with similar rankings as Thank God You’re Here. Even more interestingly without any spots at all.

Either way this is a positive step forward, albeit a slow one, for new media. Now how long until Nine Network and Channel Seven get on board?

Posted by Zac Martin
No Comments
  • Peter Wagstaff
    Posted at June 14, 2008 4:21pm, 14 June Reply

    Hmmmm… interesting problem the commercial networks are now facing. Their revenue model currently relies on advertising, and with the advertising market weakening, as reported today, they’ve got to seriously rethink this model. Unfortunately podcasting isn’t the solution if you don’t have the Federal Government propping you up!

    Is it time for more product placement, or other ways of having a promotional message embedded into the message somehow?

  • Josh Strawczynski
    Posted at June 14, 2008 11:56pm, 14 June Reply

    I was on the channel 10 website tonight and was very pleased to find a new service that sends you a alert to either e-mail, SMS or both to remind you of your favorite shows.

    I love it when technology exceeds my expectations

  • Zac Martin
    Posted at June 15, 2008 10:35am, 15 June Reply

    @ Peter

    Funnily enough, I think we could say that these networks need to look past the 30 second spot for a successful future.

    @ Josh

    And yet we absolutely hate it when it doesn’t meet expectation.

  • Rick Clarke
    Posted at June 15, 2008 5:25pm, 15 June Reply

    Perfect opportunity for the networks to spearhead the move to the system I described recently 😉

    Something’s gotta give sooner or later in this industry and I think Ten have unfortunately put themselves in a bad position by targeting the market segment that is abandoning this medium the fastest.

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