brand-e » TV

Global sports rack up TV eyeballs

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:08:37 +0000

During last year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, the France v New Zealand final on 23 October garnered almost 2 million TV viewers out of a total Kiwi television universe of 4 million, according to Nielsen’s 2011 Year In Sports report. The match was broadcast by four channels broadcasting the match live (TV3, TVONE, Maori TV, Sky Sports 1).

And in Europe, 2011’s UEFA Champions League semi-final between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid reached 14.1 million Spanish viewers.

While in the UK, 6.3 million viewers tuned in to watch the Canadian Grand Prix, more than even the top-rated Grand Prix of the 2010 season.

UK audiences against tobacco, loans, gambling TV ads

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:41:46 +0000

Most Brits draw the line at seeing ads for certain sensitive products on TV, according to YouGov research. Close to 80% of consumers say cigarettes shouldn’t be advertised on television, some three-quarters don’t want to see commercials for payday loans or gambling, while around two-thirds are against commercials for injury lawyers and cosmetic surgery providers.

Most acceptable in the TV ad stakes? Children’s toys, which just 15% would ban from TV advertising compared to the 79% who would allow it, while a mere 11% think universities shouldn’t be allowed to have TV advertising, compared to 84% who are OK with academic spots.

China TV ads get squeezed

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:13:38 +0000

China has introduced two new television policies which are likely to have a direct impact on advertising expenditure in 2012, says IHS Screen Digest. China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has ordered all regional satellite TV stations to air news programmes in place of their current shows between the hours of 7.30pm and 10pm. Each channel is now limited to no more than two entertainment shows per week. In addition, SARFT has also ruled that no advertising breaks are allowed during an episode of series drama.

“We believe the result of these policies then will make the Chinese TV advertising industry hard pressed to find workarounds, such in the form of sponsorship and other special-ad formats to compensate for these regulation-induced challenges” says Zhini Xia, researcher, advertising and television at IHS Screen Digest.

China’s television advertising market was worth €24 billion in 2011, up from €21.4 billion in 2010.

Tagging the Winter X Games

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:40:33 +0000

ESPN has tasked media discovery company Shazam with supplying additional content to its coverage of the Winter X Games Aspen 2012. When winter sports fans use Shazam to tag the live telecast they will be able to access video highlights, photos, results and music, as well as connect to related social media. A portion of Winter X Games 2012 promos will also be Shazam-enabled.

“The X Games has always been more than a sporting event – it’s a lifestyle event, too,” says Carol Kruse, ESPN’s svp of marketing. “Shazam for TV will help us create a more connected experience for fans by bringing the great music and culture of the event, as well as photo galleries and highlights.”

Taking acting virtual

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:43 +0000

Channel 4 Education is launching SuperMes, an online drama featuring virtual actors. The cast will improvise, taking direction from the production team, which will capture the action in the style of an observational documentary, where the action emerges from the ‘interplay of improvising artificial intelligences’.

The series has been created by content design outfit Somethin’ Else together with games publisher Electronic Arts, using The Sims 3 as its platform – a virtual studio and soundstage.

“This is an exciting and experimental way to tell stories about coping with life using a game that millions of teenagers love,” says Gemma Brady, Channel 4 Education. “It is exactly the kind of creative innovation we love to see at Channel 4 Education.”

Shazam for second-screen TV

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:55:43 +0000

Media discovery outfit Shazam is integrating Shazam for TV into a number of US shows, including Being Human on Syfy, E!’s The Soup and USA’s Psych.

When audiences use Shazam while watching Being Human, they’ll be able to see exclusive scenes from next week’s episode, a track list of the songs featured in that night’s episode and wallpaper for their mobile device.

Viewers of Shazam-enabled Psych will get to watch show bloopers, browse a photo gallery of stars James Roday and Dulé Hill, and download wallpaper.

The Soup watchers will get links to exclusive clips from the programme.

Lexus is sponsoring these ‘second-screen interactive experiences’ and is offering a chance to win trips for two to each of the three shows’ locations.

Converse Rubber hits the music road

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:24 +0000

Converse’s music recording studio Rubber Tracks has gone on the road, with the cool apparel brand shooting a multi-episode series starring touring bands on their way to the studio. The show, the Rubber Meets the Road, features a tour of a band’s hometown and their experiences on the road to Brooklyn (home to Rubber Tracks).

First up is Chicago-based Yawn, with the cameras in tow as they prepare to journey from the Midwest to the East Coast.

The Pixel Lab is back

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:01:36 +0000

Power To The Pixel is back with the third iteration of its cross-media course, The Pixel Lab, in Potsdam, Germany, at the beginning of July. Participants will develop the skills to create, finance and distribute cross-media stories spanning any combination of film, interactive, live event, mobile, gaming, TV, publishing and online.

PTTP will select up to 40 European producers, storytellers, decision-makers and executives to attend an the six-day Pixel Lab, with confirmed tutors including Nuno Bernardo of beActive, Ben Grass of Pure Grass Films, PTTP’s Tishna Molla and Michel Reilhac of ARTE.

Post Germany, Pixel Lab cross-media project producers will come to London in mid-October where they will receive pitch presentation mentoring from an industry expert and attend Power to the Pixel’s Cross-Media Forum.

More info on The Pixel Lab 2012 here