followthemedia.com a knowledge base for media professionals

followthemedia.com - a knowledge base for media professionals

Search the site

Advertising Rules Explained --- Michael Hedges July 9, 2008
Rules on advertising are getting tougher and, often, tediously specific. Ad rules appear in media laws, consumer protection rules and commercial codes. Regulators, lawyers all, delight in their craftsmanship as much as seeing broadcasters pour over every sentence and clause – and every new interpretation. It’s rare – and revealing – when a regulator explains it all.

Even In The US Where It’s Difficult To Gain Unanimity On Just About Anything, TV Product Placement May Have Just Earned That Distinction On Things Having Gotten Out Of Hand --- Philip M. Stone June 27, 2008
It’s the old story of killing the golden goose. Once the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advised back in 2005 that TV product placement was perfectly ok without having to tell viewers that a product was being “placed” as an advertisement, then the networks and Hollywood just plain went to town on a new way to print money. There are shows today where it’s not uncommon to find from 3 - 5 product placements per minute.

Your television will go black…and other scary stories --- Michael Hedges - November 15, 2007
It’s the week to watch if you’re in Geneva or Brussels. Television, they say, is sure to suffer if nameless, faceless Eurocrats and functionaries have their way. Why can’t things be like the old days?

The biggest problem for television is its viewers --- Michael Hedges October 8, 2007
Those who toil in television broadcasting, the producers, actors, technicians, do a magnificent job. We can tell because people watch, still watch, after being told over and over that television is rubbish. Television isn’t more or less terrible than it’s been since the blue glow invaded the worlds’ living rooms. Television is just – always – there.

The New Business Model For News and Information: It’s The Content That’s All Important, Not The Platform --- Philip Stone August 17, 2007
Some 70 of the more powerful names in media, information and politics gathered in Aspen, Colorado this week to discuss how old and new media can improve our lives, and the main point of agreement seemed to be that platform-centric is out and new business models must adapt to new technologies in providing news and information as quickly as possible on all platforms.

The Russians Launch A New Weapon, Very Accurate, Causing Lots of Grief and Aggravation But At Least It Doesn’t Kill -- Welcome to Cyber War And Imagine What It Could Do To Your Favorite News Media Site --- Philip Stone May 21, 2007
There’s a spat going on in northern Europe – between tiny Estonia and huge Mother Russia -- which the entire world should note with alarm for one of the weapons used is a very sophisticated attack on Estonia’s Internet infrastructure. It nearly crippled the country’s Internet infrastructure so just think what it could do to your favorite news media site if someone doesn’t like what it says and has the technical know-how to do something about it -- a direct attack on democracy itself!

The US Media Rings Alarm Bells That Gasoline May Soon Cost $4 a Gallon, And If It Does Advertising Managers Will Be Pushing The Panic Button --- Philip Stone May 17, 2007
Some US oil analysts believe that by the Memorial Day weekend at the end of the month that US gasoline prices may reach $4 a gallon. Most economists say that is the benchmark that will force Americans to change their spending and travel habits, and that in turn could well mean a catastrophe for media advertising revenues.

If You Want To Know The Future Of Television Then Look No Further Than The Announcements The UK’s BBC and ITV Made This Week; Going Are The Days Of Switching On The “Box” Just To See What’s On! --- Philip Stone May 4, 2007
On-Demand television via the Internet is what the UK public wants and on-demand is what the UK’s largest broadcasters are going to give them, and mostly for free. The BBC Trust (basically the board of directors) gave the BBC the go-ahead for its system this week, and not to be outdone ITV, the largest commercial broadcaster, announced a £20 million makeover of its website so it can provide all of its channels not only streamed, but also video-on-demand including archived shows.

Critics Split Over “American” TV Rules --- Michael Hedges - December 18, 2006
American television – its style and language – strikes Europe’s culture protectors with horror. Ads, ads more often, ads for fast food, ads for SUVs – the narrative bleeds together. Ads on television are in and of themselves corrupting in countries where ad spending is still highest in dead-wood media.

RFE/RL and VOA in Russian Sights --- Michael Hedges July 10, 2006
International broadcasters are increasingly backed against a wall when it comes to finding easy broadcast licenses for the taking. Governments can prevent access to distribution or, at the very least, make life very uncomfortable for local media affiliates. The enduring rule of media and politics is that no government takes criticism easily, particularly from foreigners.

Hurricane Katrina and the London Bombings Reopen the Debate on Just How Graphic Television Should Be in Reporting Such Stories --- Philip M. Stone September 5, 2005
A fundamental of American journalism training is that the journalist provides just the facts, no opinions, and the people, armed with that information, are left to make their own opinions and decisions.

Stealth Ads Cause “Scandal” at German TV --- Michael Hedges August 1, 2005

The Audience Has Spoken: The Business Model Shudders --- Michael Hedges September 26, 2013 Follow on Twitter
There are some who believe online media is a bubble about to burst, a house of cards so to speak. With the advertising model under constant repair, paywalls and subscriptions seem the most reliable revenue streams. Media consumers are evermore enticed by unique content so long as the price doesn't wreck the household budget and broadband speed is sufficiently high. Staying in the middle of it all is the emerging business model.

Big Plans, Many Opportunities In Television --- Michael Hedges October 12, 2010 Follow on Twitter
Big media deals come together for many reasons. Usually it’s the money, sometimes it’s the power. Almost always it’s the trill of the really big deal.

Dramatic Television Cancellations --- Michael Hedges March 29, 2010 Follow on Twitter
Television series come and go with a predictable frequency. Viewers grow weary, ratings slip, actors call their agents, sponsors blink. Broadcasters wield the axe. All move on. Television loves winners and doesn’t tolerate the rest.

RTL CEO Nails It --- Michael Hedges August 31, 2009 (Follow on Twitter)
Troubled times need clear minds. It’s proving increasingly clear that the media world’s blur about what’s new and what’s old – and what works and what doesn’t - is just as wrong today as it was two years ago or twenty.

Compensation Overload --- Michael Hedges January 11, 2010 Follow on Twitter
Showbiz is, for anybody who’s seen it in person, not for the faint hearted. As part of the creative trade, performers are asked to do things most people won’t and fewer can. Perhaps that is the reason all accountants and most politicians find them expendable.

Odds Still Good on Product Placement --- Michael Hedges January 13, 2010 Follow on Twitter
For television producers, product placement is like having your cake and eating it too. Widely considered financial salvation, the fine art of sticking a branded product in a TV show has more critics. But even advertising people are wary.

TV News Anchors Keeping Everybody Safe Themselves Included --- Michael Hedges January 10, 2022 - Follow on Twitter
The Great Resignation has received considerable attention in recent months. It seems people are quitting their jobs or retiring early, bring some alarm. The media world has been afflicted, with some surprise, as those seem to be good jobs. For a variety of reasons, TV news anchors, some rather high profile, are bowing out, changing jobs, deserting the audiences.

Newsroom Style Changes Ahead Of Elections --- Michael Hedges September 9, 2009 Follow on Twitter
A news program was cancelled and prominent newscaster suspended, prompting news editors resignations. There are denials and accusations. As usual, many things are tangled.

Behavior Most Often Learned In Packs --- Michael Hedges December 11, 2015 - Follow on Twitter
Journalism just isn't what it once was, except it really is. Voyeurism masquerades as public interest and the public is both drawn in and revolted. The accepted model is now staged and titillating. It's been learned over decades.