Welcome to the latest update on the less reported media and communication news from Beech Hill Consultancy.
We hope you find something of interest in the stories we’ve chosen including the possible end of linear TV in the UK, after streaming wars comes streaming arguments, and the how culture is being lost in kids tv.
One of Beech Hill Consultancy’s current projects is with a team looking to launch a kids streaming service out of Europe. They wants to ensure that content from domestic cultures are delivered to kids rather than US cultures, characters and accents.
And clearly it’s a good solid business plan as research from Ampere Analysis shows that households with children are less likely to cancel streaming service subscriptions than those without them.
Olivia Deane, Research Manager at Ampere Analysis, stated in her paper: “As a result, streamers are scooping up kids’ titles to appease this influential audience… with streamers nearing market saturation in Western markets, retaining subscribers is more important than ever.”
The difference in churn in households with kids as opposed to not having kids is only 8% – but look at that over 10s of millions of subscribers and the commercial difference is obvious.
Report Highlights:
- Children & Family titles are among the most affected by the global slowdown in commissioning experienced between 2022 and 2023. The number of Children & Family TV titles announced during that time fell by 15 per cent globally
- Most of the Western European commissioners (29 per cent) that saw growth in Children’s commissioning between 2022 and 2023 were public broadcasters
- Children’s content based on existing ideas has also proven to be more robust during the global slowdown. Children’s book adaptations fell by just 9 per cent between 2022 and 2023 versus a 15 per cent decline in all global Children’s TV content over the same period
There’s more from Ampere Analysis here:
https://www.ampereanalysis.com/insight/children-reduce-churn-for-streaming-services
I like research that maybe states the obvious – but sometimes by stating the obvious it points out an issue that needs a solution.
One such piece of research is from EE and it reveals the average UK household has 18 TV arguments a week, as families row over the remote, debate what the kids can watch, and bash heads over bad viewing habits.
EE’s study reveals that the average British households are spending two-and-a-half hours a week arguing over what to watch
This amounts to five-and-a-half days per year.
According to EE, TV is now a bigger bone of contention in many households than other common arguments.
As quoted in the EE media release:
Psychologist and TV presenter, Emma Kenny, commented: “Disagreements over TV choices stem from the differing needs and preferences of each individual. Television is a shared activity, yet each family member may seek something unique from it, whether it’s relaxation, excitement, or intellectual stimulation. These differences can create tension when everyone’s needs aren’t met simultaneously.”
And
Kelly Engstrom, Brand and Demand Generation Communications Director at EE, added: “Our research into the nation’s viewing habits has shown just how difficult it now is to navigate countless streaming services and settle on something to watch, especially in busy households where viewing needs are so changeable. For most people in the UK, TV is a passion not a pastime, so switching on the box should always feel a bit special, and help to dissolve household tension, not create it.”
There’s more on this as reported by Advanced Television:
and as Chris Davis from Beech Hill Consultancy suggests there may be more rows as the UK Government makes plans for the possible switch of linear / traditional television.
“ The UK government is to scrutinise the future of linear TV broadcasting, as new research shows that some viewers could be excluded from the general shift towards online viewership.
Senior representatives from Ofcom, TV broadcasters, infrastructure operators and organisations representing audiences will form a new working group, convened by Media Minister Stephanie Peacock MP. It will consider how all viewers, including older people and those without Internet connectivity on their TV, can continue to access world-class British content as consumer habits continue to change.”
More from The Media Leader here: https://uk.themedialeader.com/government-to-scrutinise-future-of-linear-tv-amid-shift-to-digital/
And finally, one that made us smile in the office – as media companies spend billions on new and innovative content – the UK commercial broadcaster ITV has gone back to the future with a format first rolled out in 1981 and based on the “sport” darts.
The channel is recommissioning the show Bullseye which gained a cult status for terrible prizes and (often) terrible players…
More here from ITV press office: www.itv.com/presscentre/media-releases/freddie-flintoff-hits-bullseye-itv
More media news soon – and for all your communications, leadership and content advice – just head to www.beechhillconsultancy.com
Until the next edition…