Channel 10 & the Web

By Ella Morton on 01 March 2006
Ella MortonChannel Seven's recent ninemsn-esque partnership with Yahoo has raised an interesting issue: will television networks have to maintain a substantial online presence in order to stay relevant and competitive?

Let's take a look at the Web sites of the five free-to-air television stations:

ABC

  • The front page functions as a portal, with familiar categories such as news, arts, science, health and education. The science section is particularly comprehensive, and designed for a younger audience. Integration of ABC radio, including the ability to listen online.
  • Tech features: RSS/XML feeds, podcasts, mobile/PDA content, Flash games, online shop.

SBS

Yahoo7

  • Yahoo search engine and directory integrated with TV guide and content from Channel Seven shows, and Pacific Publications magazines.
  • Tech features: Customisation (homepage content, radio stations), online shopping, membership, widgets, Web-based e-mail, mobile content, newsletters, photo hosting, games, groups and a whole heap more.

ninemsn

  • Integration of Microsoft features such as Hotmail and Messenger. Search engine and categories similar to Yahoo7. Content from ACP magazines, Channel Nine shows.
  • Tech features: Videos, Hotmail, games, mobile content, online shopping directory, classifieds, membership using Microsoft Passport Network.

Ten

  • Upon entering Ten's online HQ, you are asked to choose your city, ensuring local relevance. From there...uh, well...you can find out about the TV shows and news presenters, and see headlines and local weather. It's basically a glorified TV guide.
  • Tech features: Um...links? There is a section called "chat", but it doesn't seem to feature a chat room or any kind of forum.

Hey Channel Ten...what gives? Big Brother and Australian Idol featured comprehensive Web sites which offered forums, polls, and in the case of BB, paid subscriber-only content. Both sites were massively popular, especially among Ten's much-prized 16-39-year-old audience. The sponsorship was cannily integrated into some of the content, and downloadable wallpapers, mobile phone logos and ringtones allowed the Ten to maintain a presence not only on people's TV screens, but on their computers and in their pockets.

Given the success of those programs' Web sites, why hasn't Ten made an effort to improve on its comparatively weak online offering? More to the point, does it need to? The rise of subscription TV and peer-to-peer downloading of show episodes certainly pose a threat to commercial television, but is the solution to embrace new media and forge alliances with established online entities? Nine and Seven seem to think so. It will be interesting to see whether Ten follows suit.

Topics: online, yahoo7, ninemsn, abc, sbs, channel nine, tech and the city, channel seven, channel 10, tv, ella

Related Articles

Comments (18)

  • willy02473 commented on 22/08/2009 23:46 Report abuse

    did anyone notice that while serenity was on every time they went for a ad break the name of totally different movie came on.CHANNEL 10 if you are going to play a movie get the name of the movie right "RIGHT"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Olly commented on 22/08/2009 12:22 Report abuse

    SSYTYCD moved to a 10.30pm timeslot? Without any warning? What is Ch10 thinking? This show appeals to such a wide age audience and from dancers to aspiring dancers and just people who love to see good dance. It has Emmy award winning choreographers and dance routines and it's a classy production. It's also about people working hard to reach their goals and dreams in life. All good messages to convey. Luckily for me I have an IQ box and have it set to record regardless of the time, but what of all the people who can't record it for later viewing?
    I too have looked for an email address to make a complaint but the Ch10 website doesn't list one - now there's a great web presence for you - NOT! Very poor form/judgement all around. Very disappointing.
    This isn't the only place I've seen complaints about a lack of email for Ch10.
    The people have spoken Ch10 - are you listening? Hello..... anybody there?......

  • Angry commented on 21/08/2009 22:23 Report abuse

    I am disappointed that Channel 10 for whatever reason have moved SYTYCD to 10.30pm tonight with no warning. Me and many others look forward to sitting down at 7.30 to watch this really enjoyable show. Tonight I was met by the Stupid Simpsons. Please bring it back to 7.30!!!

  • Annoyed commented on 21/08/2009 22:02 Report abuse

    I agree with Shewolf. So annoying when you sit down with a group of friends on a Friday night to watch your favourite show and channel 10 has changed the time to very late without notice! They do this often and don't even have an email contact so they can review audience reaction. So pathetic channel 10!

  • Shewolf commented on 21/08/2009 20:26 Report abuse

    Why does channel 10 always have to change their programing times without notice. SYTYCD america is usually on at 7.30 on fridays why did it get replaced by the stupid simpsons. With only 3 or 4 weeks to go this is really annoying that the time has been changed to 10.30pm. Is this going to be a permanent change or will it go back to 7.30pm next week. People who do not have the internet would not know about the changes to the times.

  • life42 commented on 24/04/2009 20:22 Report abuse

    ch ten just displayed an ad during their utah la 3rd playoff during the second quarter for a nightly sports wrap up and included the result of the game, good one.

  • SubodhB commented on 23/04/2009 13:21 Report abuse

    can abybody send me the contact email add. of channel 10

  • goodbloke63 commented on 18/01/2009 02:59 Report abuse

    What is the name of the soundtrack played on 10 HD?? the guitar riffs are so good...but does anyone know the name of the band?

  • tvlover commented on 13/12/2008 21:24 Report abuse

    i love you channel 7!!!! woooo!

  • louise commented on 01/12/2008 18:15 Report abuse

    yer hi this a complaining viewer

    i really think that you should of NOT taken off Simpson's for bold & the beautiful as i think and a lot of other people reckon Simpson's at 6:00pm was a good time for the kids and adults to sit down and have a laugh. instead off something that is for elder people.
    And also i believe bold & the beautiful is or was a mid day movie why couldn't you keep it that way i no a lot of kids that are very disappointed and angry....

Post your own comment

You must read and type the 6 chars within 0..9 and A..F

You must read and type the 6 chars within 0..9 & A..F

Submit

Enter your personal information to the left, or sign in with your Facebook account by clicking the button below.

Connect

The Explain Series

Must read