Singaporeans are turning on their televisions during the current recession according to a report. Sounds like good news for broadcasters and us television producers right? Well, let's just say I wouldn't hold my breath.While the television set is still a fixture in households, more people especially the younger generation are turning to the web for their dose of news and entertainment. In the U.S., TVWeek reported an increase in online viewing especially among the young and in Singapore, AsiaOne reported last year that there has been an increase of hits on news sites.
It's no wonder that the Media Authority Development of Singapore announced a $250 million investment into the media industry, part of which will go to what they term as 360˚TV where programs are leveraged on multi-digital platforms. American broadcasters are already reaching on to the online audience by providing exclusive web entertainment. Companies like PBS's Frontline are commissioning original documentaries for the web, and Endemol, one of UK's largest entertainment producers is collaborating with Bebo, an online media source to develop an online drama series- all this in bid to entice the younger audience.
Being a television producer, I can no longer ignore the fact that our ideas have to go beyond the television screen. But now, not only are we up against the vastness of the World Wide Web and what is already available, but our competition has evolved. They are young and technologically savvier youth who not only create content that's in tuned with their generation but also have the means to do it faster and better.
A new dawn is emerging for the way programs are going to be viewed in the future. It's definitely exciting and challenging and who knows? Maybe one day the word 'television' will no longer have a place in our job description.
Online article: Americans watching more television shows...
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