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The German roadmap for public broadcasting --- Michael Hedges October 28, 2008
There’s no superhighway getting from old media land to new media land. Public and commercial broadcasters bump into each other. Publishers accelerate only to find competitors enjoying tea at the rest-stops. Along the way, regulators set up toll-booths and politicians set up detours. Meanwhile, the public – chased by a swarm of buzzing advertising people – flies on to new media land.

Digital discontent : hit the re-start button --- Michael Hedges October 22, 2007
It seems like a different century. Digital broadcasting could offer everything to everybody…and more. There was enthusiasm. There was hope. It was a different century.

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.

Mobile TV - Slow Finding Customers – Gets Subsidies --- Michael Hedges - May 14, 2007
Ask any media crystal gazer to name the next big thing and there is one, resounding answer: Mobile TV. People viewing something on that mobile phone’s tiny screen is the center-piece of new media thinking, or dreaming, or wishing, or hoping. Sadly, though, people are just not clamoring to help cellcos (mobile telephone providers) increase those billable seconds. The solution, of course, is government subsidies.

The World Cup Brings Advertising Riches To Some, But Not To All --- Philip M. Stone - July 13, 2006
China wasn’t even in the World Cup, and the tournament was held mostly in Chinese morning hours, but its web sites cleaned up big-time with huge advertising profits. For some European countries, the television advertising revenues could benefit by as much as 4%, but in others, including the UK, the World Cup has had a negligible effect on television advertising. And the ratings in the US for some of the games matched major domestic sporting events.

Its World Cup Fever Time, Especially For The TV Licensing Folk Who Say Watch It On Broadband At Work and The Employer Better Have A TV License Or Else! --- Philip M. Stone June 15, 2006
TV viewing numbers for this year’s World Cup Football are as much as double the last tournament four years ago, and this time around mobile and broadband coverage is expected to increase viewership a whole lot more, but in those countries where a TV license is mandatory the authorities say they are serious about fining employers who let staff watch the games via broadband on their office PC if there is no TV license.

Regulators Work Together For Digital Solutions --- Michael Hedges - April 3, 2006
Nine European media regulators are beginning an ambitious project to coordinate digital strategies. Working in four distinct geographic “sub-projects,” German, Swiss, Austrian, Italian authorities are meeting regularly to “build a new architecture of inter-working media services by inter-working infrastructures of broadcasting and telecommunications for the media needs of a mobile Information society,” explained Dr. Peter Kettner, DMB Project Manager with Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien (BLM), Germany.

Digital Realists Organize --- Michael Hedges March 1, 2006
Digital uptake in Europe has been uneven if not fitful. Exceptional in many ways, Switzerland’s digital development mirrors that of the rest of continental Europe: a lack of convergence. Digital broadcasting stakeholders convened Forum Digital Radio in Lucerne, Switzerland to bring together broadcasters, receiver manufacturers and regulators

German Regulators Crack Whip at Axel Springer-ProSiebenSat Deal --- Michael Hedges - January 8, 2006
Nobody really thought the anti-competition or anti-concentration authorities would pass the Alex Springer – ProSiebenSat1 deal with a blink and a nod, potentially putting Germany’s biggest publisher into the television business and head-to-head with Bertlesmann/RTL. Either more concessions from Springer or a new financing plan, hence a new partner, for ProSieben will appear this week. Or maybe something else...

Digital Radio: What Would Steve Jobs Do? --- Michael Hedges July 26, 2012 Follow on Twitter
Digital radio development is, as it has been, up and down. Launches precede re-launches. Promotion has the appearance of trial and error. Supporters see one set of problems, detractors yet another. It’s a tough nut to crack.

Disruption Is Live And Very Confusing --- Michael Hedges April 16, 2019 Follow on Twitter
Shocking, just shocking research is pouring in about the real world of television. Media watchers are completely gripped. Broadcasters are on the edge of the seats. It’s like watching Game of Thrones.

Online, Asleep Or Dead --- Michael Hedges October 21, 2013 Follow on Twitter
Now with economic crisis mostly averted, media people are returning to themes of old. Change has been so fatiguing. Media consumers just don’t understand. The internet remains a curse. And young people are as perplexing as ever.

Change Is Exciting, Consequences Unnerving --- Michael Hedges September 17, 2018 Follow on Twitter
Most media operators know that a key to success is staying a half-step ahead of the audience. Being a whole-step ahead, figuratively, risks confusion. People will seek familiarity. Following by a whole-step is worse. People will get bored and race to a more interesting alternative. Knowing where, exactly, that half-step is at any given moment is no mean feat.

Morning Radio Is Prime Time --- Michael Hedges April 11, 2011 Follow on Twitter
For many radio stations, the most important branding element is the morning show. It’s all about the numbers; more radio listening takes place in the morning. Stations, typically, invest more between six and nine in the morning than any other day-part, sometimes more than the rest of the day. Even stations branded as all-music will add services and a stronger host, so important is the morning slot.

Publishers Offer Politicians Deal For Favorable Reporting And More Ads, Get Caught --- Michael Hedges April 10, 2023 Follow on Twitter
Through the coronavirus pandemic media outlets lobbied for increased support. For some publishers financial circumstances had already turned perilous. Digital transition had not been easy. Certain publishers knew which politicians might be receptive to opening the public purse.

From The Right Track To Off The Rails --- Michael Hedges January 21, 2013 Follow on Twitter
Media diversity can be a lonely concept, particularly for minority cultures and languages. Using the law of the land to encourage a diverse media landscape is only effective to a point. Other concepts can intrude: money and power. The risk is a cultural deflation.

The Essential Issue Is Getting The TV Signals To Viewers --- Michael Hedges January 28, 2019 - Follow on Twitter
News media has been talking about Brexit - the UK leaving the European Union - for what seems forever. Much has been written and spoken on this subject. Much of that, foreign and domestic, has been fake news, particularly ahead of the infamous referendum. It is the peril of the post-truth age. Brexit was founded on fear, loathing and a large dose of misinformation. Reality as the deadline looms large is guaranteed of disruption.

What They Want Is Where They Are --- Michael Hedges March 9, 2015 Follow on Twitter
Media consumers are, mostly, confined. They hear, see and touch what is nearest. This is called proximity, the branding concept considered the strongest. The web, smartphones and the rest of new media has the potential to change all of that, testing the ties that bind media outlets with their best friends. It is a challenge.