Hmm, broadcasting restructuring, well thats the corporate management term

The Stage has posted some sad news today, I haven’t checked the other news channels but I’m sure it will be everywhere. I’m personally quite sad, as they brought us some of the best dramas & soaps around. I’m really looking forward to watching stylista But I’m guessing tough times need radical change! Advertising revenues just can’t make up for their operational costs!

This is my opportunity to discuss the traditional workflow as this is going to be massively effected! Here is a basic overview of traditional broadcasting! It was: writer/ development of script, Broadcaster reviews, changes and develops. Then broadcaster gives the blessing for the project to air. Broadcasters then awards a production company for some work! This is very basic and high level, and I will go into much more detail in another blog! The changes in broadcasting will be integrating IPTV, and delivery of the programmes & adverting models over the web and other syndication methods! Yes yes, I will draw a diagram so we can see the new business model…

Here is what the stage have reported!

Five has become the latest broadcaster to unveil job cuts, announcing that up to 87 positions out of its current 354 workforce face redundancy. Dawn Airey Photo: Five Its plans follow news yesterday that ITV is to make a further 600 employees redundant, in addition to the 1,000 posts that were lost last year. In an announcement today, Five said it had outlined “proposals for a comprehensive restructuring plan”, which it said would “strengthen the company by increasing both its efficiency and profitability”. Five chair and chief executive Dawn Airey said the industry was in the “midst of one of the most difficult financial environments in history”. “Five has therefore taken the necessary step to review all operations to ensure we continue to work as effectively and efficiently as possible,” she said. “I am confident we are putting in place a new, streamlined structure which will ensure we remain the most agile and effective commercial broadcaster in the country.” In its statement, Five said several key departments had been “earmarked for integration”, including the creation of a new creative unit that will incorporate on-air and off-air marketing and creative services functions.

Cool, so any chance of seeing channel 6 sometime soon?

What’s the difference with Web TV and TV?

It’s really nice to have the BBC iplayer, itv.com’s catchup service and channel 4’s 4OD, but I struggle to find content that I really want to watch on these services. I have the free-view service on my TV and that’s OK, but it’s still loads of repeats and I’m actually thinking of smashing up my TV and just sticking with the web! Well…. why do we need it now? The government has a digital switch over plan to be completed by 2012, so all the channels will be available via the web. We have loads of online channels who are offering film download services, catchup and other programs all over. I have a lovely widescreen Monitor and I can see almost crystal clear video quality on it.

So what’s the difference? why do I still need my TV?

Well.. let me tell you something! I really like the fact that I can touch a button on the remote and watch TV immediately. I also like jumping on my nice comfy leather sofa, flicking through the channels to see if anything takes my fancy. Then, when I actually do find something I like, I can sit back and enjoy the show. With Web TV, I still need to power up my computer, hit the browser application and then type in the web address. Sorry guys but it’s still a bit of a pain! Then my eyes get tired on the monitor and I feel like i have been on the computer all day! Sometimes the stream buffers and I need to wait for the stream to catch up.

So what’s the verdict ? Why am I giving out two very strong reasons both ways?? Web TV is great and I love watching quick clips on the catchup services and short form videos online. But as a moment; a moment to take time out , get entertained and relax. I just don’t think internet TV completes it for me yet! Not in a relaxing way. If I’m online, great! I’ll watch something quickly and get entertained. But then I go back to work! (Ops sorry boss, if you’re reading this.)

Food for thought!

Signing off!

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