Spots N Dots
The Daily News Of TV Sales
January 27, 2017
NIELSEN: SOCIAL MEDIA USE CONTINUES TO RISE
177 M REACHED WEEKLY BY SOCIAL MEDIA
From the telegraph to orbiting satellites, people have found ways to make their voices and opinions heard. That desire to be heard has been demonstrated in the last 10 years with the rapid rise in social media use. Now, consumers have a platform to break news, start dialogues and share opinions about content.
The increasing and significant role social media plays in consumer’s lives is revealed in Nielsen’s new 2016 Social Media Report. The report points out that smartphones are in the hands of 87% of the adult population of the U.S., and about 177 million people were reached by social media in an average week in the third quarter of 2016.
When compared to the same quarter in 2015, the report found a +36% increase in social media consumption by adults 18+, up to 22% of the population. Women spend 25% of their media time with social media, while Hispanic adults spend nearly 23%. African American adults spend 6 hours and 10 minutes per week, the most of any consumer demographic.
With the increase in social media consumption, and the growing use of tablets and smartphones, there’s a natural overlap with other media, including TV. The report found that 21% of tablet users said they use their device while watching TV “several times a day”, while 30% of smartphone users have the same habit.
Many consumers are using social media to communicate about their media consumption and what they’re watching on TV. An analysis in the report leveraging Nielsen Social insights found that there were14.2 million social media interactions about TV on Facebook and Twitter on an average day in the U.S. this past fall.
Sundays were the biggest day for TV interactions across all platforms. Viewers took to social media to talk about NFL games, specials and Sunday series. Facebook logged 43% if its TV activity on Sundays, while Twitter had 33%. Saturday, with college football and MLB, was the next busiest day for TV interaction on Facebook.
Sports were by far the most popular topic in November with 71% of Facebook TV activity related to sporting events. Interactions about series came in at 18% during the same period. The report says that each new episode of AMC’s The Walking Dead generated 3.2 million interactions across Facebook and Twitter this past fall, while Empire on Fox had 1.1 million.
Consumers are using social media more and more to share responses and opinions, and social media platforms are evolving to be more than just a marketing opportunity. The networks are pivoting to become media distributors as well, delivering audience reach, advertising ROI and content delivery.
ADVERTISER NEWS
Fiat Chrysler reported a corporate profit of $1.9 billion for 2016, way up from just $100 million in 2015, when restructuring and recall costs ate up the bottom line. North American unit sales were down to 2.6 million last year, off about 100,000 from 2015……Ford’s net income was $4.6 billion last year, but that was down about 38% due to an accounting change involving employee pensions. The company noted it has less inventory in the pipeline now than it did last year at this time, as a year ago it had been building up inventory for some upcoming product launches. General Motors will report its numbers on February 8..…While much of the quick-serve segment of the restaurant business is struggling, Arby’s has been on a hot streak for the last few years. Same-store sales were up 3.1% in the fourth quarter and 3.8% for the year as its string of positive reports reached 25 quarters. The chain added 60 more locations last year, the first increase in unit count since 2008……Another restaurant winner right now is Captain D’s, which had its 21st consecutive positive quarter at plus-1.3% completing a year of 2.3% systemwide same-store growth. The chain added 13 more locations last year to reach 518, and has deals in place to open 25 more this year……Chili’s company-owned same-store sales fell by 3.3% while franchisees did a bit worse at minus-3.5%. Sibling Maggiano’s Little Italy was down a less severe 0.8%...... Ethan Allen comp store sales were down 4.5% for the fourth quarter, although the CEO called that “decent… despite very tough previous-year comparisons and a challenging retail environment”……ebayreported a 3.1% increase in revenue for the holiday period. What’s notable about that is the company returned to TV advertising in the period after not using the medium for the 2015 holiday season……There should be plenty of inventory available at appliance retailers right now—the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers says factory shipments of white goods were up 8.5% in December to 6.4 million units, the second-highest gain for a month last year behind just November. Washers and dryers showed the biggest year-to-year gains……Most of the major regional banks have been showing increases in outstanding loan balances and Columbus-based Huntington Bancshares followed suit reporting a 37% increase in commercial and industrial loans and a 17% bump in automotive loans. Profit rose 19%...... AT&T total revenue dipped in the fourth quarter as it lost another 67,000 postpaid wireless subscribers. The traditional TV services DirecTV and U-verse lost 27,000 customers but as we reported earlier the new DirecTV Now added 200,000 in December.
NETWORK NEWS
Former Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrevwill reprise her role as Elena Gilbert in the series finale airing on the CW network Friday, March 10th at 8 PM (ET). Dobrev left the series at the end of the sixth season, but producers left the door open for her return……ABC announced a schedule change for When We Rise, the mini-series that chronicles the real-life personal and political struggles, set-backs and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women. When We Rise was originally scheduled to air across four consecutive nights beginning on February 27th – March 2nd. The series will now air on February 27th, skip February 28th to accommodate a news special, President Donald Trump’s Address to Congress. The remaining three episodes will air Wednesday – Friday, March 1st – March 3rd at 9 PM (ET) each night…… Fox has picked up a new project called Skyward, about two families trying to escape to freedom over a wall. The plot is based on a true story from 1979 as the families secretly build a homemade hot air balloon in their garage in a plan to escape over the Berlin Wall……Pilot orders have been issued by ABC for two high-profile comedy projects. Start Up, which stars Zach Braff(Scrubs), is about a guy in his mid-30s with a wife and kids that makes a crazy decision to quit his job and dive into the brave new world of starting a business. The second is an untitled project from Hamilton co-star Daveed Diggs about a hip-hop star that runs for mayor to promote his mixtape and gets elected. Brandon Michael Hall (Search Party) has been cast in the lead role……. Gabriel Iglesias is teaming up with Ryan Seacrest Productions and CBS Television Studios to develop a new comedy starring the comedian. The project focuses on a bachelor, afraid of commitment, that reconnects with a friend who has just broken up with the woman he’s been with since pre-school. The pilot will be written by Taylor Hamra(Nashville)……Kelsey Grammeris set to host The Paley Center Salutes NBC’s 90th Anniversary. The two-hour special will air on Sunday, February 19th at 9 PM (ET). The program will showcase some of the network’s most iconic series, including Hill Street Blues, ER, Cheers, Get Smart, Seinfeld, Friends and The West Wing. It will also include highlights form The Tonight Show, Meet the Press and Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.
ECONOMIC NEWS
New applications for unemployment benefits rose a bit last week to 259,000 but remained near historically-low levels. Claims have now been under 300,000 (the benchmark economists consider to be evidence of a healthy economy) for 99 consecutive weeks, the longest stretch since 1970. The four-week moving average went down 2,000 to 245,500, the lowest since November, 1973…….The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index rose for the fourth straight month with an increase in consumer confidence one of the factors in the index. The index “suggest(s) the economy will continue growing at a moderate pace, perhaps even accelerating slightly in the early months of the year.”
TRAFFIC UP FOR HOMEBUILDERS
An index done by the National Association of Home Builders found that sentiment among builders last month was the highest since July, 2005, the height of the housing frenzy of the last decade. A lot of that came from the fact that traffic of prospective buyers, one of the key components of the index, reached its all-time high. The NAHB explains that builders are asked to rate the traffic of prospective customers from very high to very low, and then calculates a seasonally-adjusted index from responses. Marketwatchreports many analysts believe homebuilders may have been too conservative lately, saying demand in the marketplace right now could support much stronger levels of housing construction.
SUPER BOWL BLACKOUT?
Is it possible a retransmission consent dispute could actually black out the Super Bowl for FiOSsubscribers in a top-100 market? Usually, retransmission consent battles that start on New Year’s Day get settled before serious football games get played, but FiOS subscribers in the Syracuse market already have missed the NFC Championship and right now prospects for the Super Bowl appear to be bleak.
As usual, each party blames the other for being unreasonable. Bristlecone Broadcasting’s Fox affiliate WSYT says “Verizon has made a choice not to have Fox programming on their system.” Verizon says the station has asked for a 93% increase in fees, after a short blackout between the station and Verizon was settled two years ago. Syracuse.com reports that Bristlecone parent Northwest Broadcasting also has some retransmission consent blackouts going in smaller markets in Mississippi and Idaho.
FiOS subscribers who wish to watch the game may want to brush up on their Spanish. FiOS carries Fox Deporteswhich will broadcast the big game en espanol.
THIS AND THAT
We’ve seen several reports lately about automakers and other manufacturers making announcements about upcoming tie-ins with Amazon’s Echo, the wireless speaker and virtual digital assistant that has been supported with TV advertising before the holidays. This Week In Consumer Electronics says the device was “the belle of the ball” at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, and has already found a place in more than 8 million U.S. homes since introduction in 2014. Helped by its television exposure consumer awareness jumped from 47% at the end of 2015 to 82% at the end of 2016.Consumer Intelligence Research Partners co-founder Josh Lowitz commented, “Amazon’s efforts to promote the expanded Echo line appear to have paid off. With traditional media advertising and prominent placement at the Amazon website, Echo product awareness among Amazon customers continued its rapid ascent in the fourth quarter of 2016.”
FORD CREDIT INVESTS IN DIGITAL BUYING
Ford Motor Credit Company has invested in financial tech company AutoFiand announced a new platform that will allow customers to purchase or finance a new Ford vehicle in minutes—“right from a dealership website from anywhere, on any device.” The AutoFi platform can be used now at Ricart Ford in Groveport, Ohio, and will roll out over time to more Ford and Lincoln dealerships across the United States.
Ford Credit notes that 83% of Americans said in a Harris Poll that they would like to spend as little time at the dealership as possible when shopping for or buying a car. However, many still want to touch and feel their new vehicle before signing on the dotted line. “The new platform provides the best of both worlds,” said the announcement.
MEREDITH RENEWS WITH CBS
Meredith Corporation has renewed its CBS affiliations for WGCL Atlanta, KPHO Phoenix, KCTV Kansas City and WNEM Flint, MI. The four markets renewed serve more than 5.5 million households. Meredith’s three other CBS affiliates—KMOV St. Louis, WFSB Hartford, CT and WSHM Springfield, MA—renewed their affiliation agreements last year.
The latest deal also includes the renewal of participation in CBS All Access, plus a commitment to distribution via the new Hululive multi-channel digital television service and “participation in certain of the CBS Television Network’s future new entrant digital distribution deals” by all seven of Meredith’s CBS affiliates.
AVAILS
ABC 7 Chicago seeks a motivated self-starter looking to overachieve in the role of Account Executive/Multimedia Business Development Specialist at one of the strongest television stations in the country in the 3rd largest market. This position requires a proven track record of success in sales/ new business development, experience in transactional business within advertising agencies as well as direct client contact. Interested candidates should upload a cover letter and resume online at requisition ID# 415880BR. EOE
Waterman Broadcasting Company seeks a Digital Sales Specialist. This person is responsible for all aspects of the Waterman Broadcasting Digital sales effort, including but is not limited to Waterman legacy websites, mobile and social media. This individual would work closely with the current Television staff of 13 Local and Regional Account Executives and Sales management staff. The Digital Sales Specialist should exhibit superior time management skills and should be completely self-motivated. More details HERE. To apply, send cover letter/resume to . EOE.
WDBJ7, the dominant #1 station in market #67 (Roanoke, VA) is searching for a main evening co-anchor. This person will work a night side shift and anchor WDBJ7’s top rated evening newscasts. Our next Anchor will be an integral part of our team and must be an active member of the community. If you are up to the challenge, please go to the Gray Television Careers Pageto submit your resume and a link to your reel. MVR/Driver’s review and testing required. EOE.
SNN - the Suncoast News Network, located in beautiful Sarasota, FL is looking for an experienced Account Executive. The ideal candidate is a motivated self-starter who enjoys the challenge of developing new business in a competitive environment, as well as being a consultative partner with existing clients. Must have strong organizational, written and presentation skills, be proficient in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Send cover letter/resume to Charles Cusimano, Station Manager at . EOE
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: KTVU/KTVU+ (SF Bay Area) seeks an AE to maintain & improve existing client list & generate new business on our FOX stations/ websites. Involves local travel to call on regular and prospective clients. Bachelors’ Degree plus 4 years major market experience in transactional & online advertising is required. Must have a valid CA driver’s license with a good driving record. EOE/M/F/Disabled/Veteran Qualified candidates should submit their resume and cover letter via the on-line process at
Account Executive, Tampa, FL - FOX O&O, WTVT. This opening at the top rated station in Tampa requires the servicing of existing transactional accounts along with the development of new broadcast and digital business. Candidate must be highly motivated and possess strong presentation and prospecting skills. Position requires prior broadcast sales experience, preferably in an LPM market. Excel and Power Point are a must and a working knowledge of WideOrbit, ComScore, PRIME Lingo, and Kantar Media are a plus. College degree preferred. CLICK HEREto apply. EOE/M/F/Veteran/Disabled.
According to a recent study, men on dating sites are more popular if they mention dancing or cooking. Because if there’s one thing women love, it’s a man who can lie. - Seth Meyers
Today Trump said he believes in torturing prisoners. Which is bad news for Melania.- Jimmy Kimmel
------
SPOTS N DOTS
The Daily News Of TV Sales
January 27, 2017
Phone: 888-884-2630