Now I’m not sure if a broadcast or cable TV network executive ever actually uttered the words, “Netflix is not television.”
But I’ll bet a lot of them thought about it these past couple years, since House of Cards and then Orange Is The New Black became mega TV hits from Netflix. (House of Cards’ Kevin Spacey is pictured at last year’s Emmy’s show.)
But they’re more than that – they are buzzworthy shows that people are talking about over coffee, barbeques, in the office, and on social media.
And for the second straight year, the Emmy nominations remind us just how quickly things are changing in the media and entertainment world. Last week, Netflix bagged 31 nominations – more than double last year’s total. And that passed both Fox and AMC.
It wasn’t that long ago that Netflix was the company that mailed you DVDs. Today, they are a TV network. Aren’t they?
It’s is fascinating that the biggest Emmy winner (going by the number of nominations) is HBO with 99 this year. In fact, premium channels, cable channels, and yes, Netflix overshadow the buzz that used to belong to the major networks.
But if you ask that teenager parked on the couch in your rec room what they’re watching at any given moment, they probably have no idea (nor do they care) about which network or source originates the programming. It all simply displays on the screen and provides entertainment. They’re watching TV.
Isn’t that what it’s always been about?
A few weeks ago I bought one of those little Google Chromecast devices for less than $35. It’s the size of a thumb drive, plugs into a port on my old HD television and instantly allows me to “cast” programming from Netflix, YouTube, and other sources to that TV in the family room. Whether it’s originating from my laptop, tablet, or phone doesn’t matter. I’m watching TV.
And so when we segue over to “radio” and exactly what it is, the consumer is in pretty much the same boat. As you drive along the interstate this summer or commute to and from work, as long as it’s coming out of your car speakers and entertaining or informing you, it must be radio.
And as we learned from Techsurvey10 and now PRTS6 this year, about six in ten respondents are now able to now connect their smartphones and/or mp3 players to their vehicles’ sound systems. They’re listening to something while in the car, whether you call it “radio” or not.
As Netflix has shown us in just a short couple years, anyone with the desire, the money, the talent, and the chutzpa can make great content for mass distribution. Other players (Amazon, Apple/Beats, AT&T) may be thinking about Netflix’s content creation success and wondering why they couldn’t do the same. CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox have to be wondering just who they’re competing against.
And in the changing world of radio, what’s to stop Pandora from hiring one of those big morning shows or mega-radio personality and become a spoken word programming powerhouse? Or better yet, do what Netflix did: round up some stars, or import a great show from the UK, or maybe produce something brand new?
After all, it’s “radio.”
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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I’m reminded of our indutry’s defensive nature “Pandora is not radio.” Of course you and I, and those on the inside get the difference, the personalities, the sense of community, etc. But radio, is all things to all people. To many Pandora is radio, and it must be true since its in their name. Its like saying Netflix is not tv. Depends on who you ask,really.
The CEO of Eastman Kodak said “There are more pixels in film than there ever can be in a camera. This digital thing is not a fad.
The bottom line is to ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MONEY. At the time the money was going into ads for digital. It killed analong. Look at all the investment capital going into online radio and audio.
People continue to keep their heads in the sand when all we need to do is listen to consumers.
Thanks for the sage perspective, Eric. And you reminded me of that great line in “The Artist” when the studio head (John Goodman) tried to persuade the silent film star actor that “talkies” were the wave of the future for movies. When he said, “The public is never wrong,” he was right.
Preach. We are all in the audio entertainment business now. Our platform just happens to be broadcast radio.
Exactly right. I’m sure from your Bay Area perspective, Jacent, the ring is even louder. Thanks for commenting.
I think that fact you used the term “my old HD TV’ says it all, huh? Great read.
DP
I thought about it as I was writing it, DP. Thanks for the note (and the selfie!).