Channel 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:
- 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.
- Portal structure, similar to the ABC.
- Tech features: Podcasts, SMS competitions, online shop (via Dymocks), streaming radio, headline syndication service, video news bulletins.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!
fenn007
03/03/2006 10:13 AM
They could if they wanted to give online show diaries for the TV series that they have , but with networks chopping and changing scheduels the webmaster would be up till all hours just trying to keep up. The programme my wife watches "7th Heaven" is moved so much I wondered why she bothered, then I just eneded up contacting friends in the states and get the shows sent over so she can watch then in order and on a regular basis. If they where downloadable I'd just do that, we have Pay TV, but really don't watch too much free to air as it is not to relevant anymore.
Report offensive content
Liza
09/03/2006 08:12 PM
I think the producers of "The Biggest Loser" should intervene and not allow the 3 muskateers on the blue team to vote Harry off.
Report offensive content
Peter and Irene Faulkes
21/03/2006 06:39 PM
Please advise the Hon. Bob Cotter who appeared on today's 5 o'clock news, that we think the Government should match the billion dollars they gave to Aceh in a country where gifts are corrupted - have lived there. Our citizens and towns deserve government support in a major way - infrastructure, homes, farming efforts, crops, with workers to do it all. Let our government come to the rescue of Australians.
Report offensive content
Ren Michelle
21/04/2006 11:03 PM
Bree Amer, listen up: Melissa Tkautz was pulling in solid ratings for E Street when you were just "a little tacker". Watching you diss Melissa on the Friday Night Games Grand Final tonight illustrated just how ill prepared you are for celebrity. You were ungracious and insecure around her, and did yourself no favours. She is an actress with more history than you. Get over it, get your act together and drag yourself out of the D grade quagmire. Thumbs down for tonight's effort.
Report offensive content
singlennau
11/06/2007 11:26 PM
I have been trying for ages to find an e-mail address to send a photo of a storm to Tim Bailey at the news room but to no avail. Channel 10's web site is absolutely hopless just their programs are.
Report offensive content
viger
17/09/2007 08:32 PM
If I am in the right place to comment about channel 10 programs.. I just want to say shame on you for Californication. Are we so desperate for programming that we put on damaging material for our young. It is not good enough to say if you don't like it, don't watch. We all know that if our children can't see something at home, it is possible for them to see it elsewhere. I ask you fervently to consider our young minds and reconsider this wretched program. thank you for listening.
Report offensive content
hailz0909
24/03/2008 07:21 PM
How can channel 10 realistically expect success with this 10HD business, if they can't support or supply a working email address for people to contact them with? What century are we in? Are they truly so far behind that email has become too difficult for them? Snail mail? Don’t waste my time. And what of the quality of the shows themselves? What is the point of High Definition TV, if there’s nothing to watch? Ah, Ten, still desperately seeking the younger vote with the same bland, trite and uninspired drivel they put out last week, only the names have changed and the picture quality improved. And no, I am not some conservative old hat, who insists that darned rock music is why kids are in so much trouble these days. I’m 17, and like every teenager, I love a side of gratuitous immorality with my entertainment. Channel 10 however, is ridiculous. The younger demographic they so desperately appeal to is bored an uninterested and unless channel 10 has a new target audience of uneducated bogans who, incidentally make up only a small part of the Australian population, and therefore 10 is content at being placed last in the ranks of the three big stations, then it seems blatantly obvious that they need a new approach, one that involves improving the shows, not the clarity with which we see them. "Hey guys, what's on TV?" "Just some BS" "Is it high definition BS?!" "You betcha!" "Don't waste my time."
Report offensive content
hailz0909
24/03/2008 07:33 PM
I'd also like to add, I am a strong advocate for the "if you don't like it, don't watch it" ideology, however, when for those in country victoria, who aren't blessed with channel 7 coverage, and for those who have been cruelly sent un-unsubscribable emails, i feel i have a right to complain. Sure, they provide free entertainment, but just as those who stop to administer first aid are dealt a legal duty of care from the moment they take charge, so to does channel 10 have a responsibilty to provide meaningful entertainment.
Report offensive content