Local Media in a Web 2.0 World

Here are some recent, major announcements that will  play a major role in re-arranging the local media marketplace. TV, Radio, Newspaper, as well as pure-plays will be affected by these Internet and digitally based events.

Hi-speed Wireless Auction  Verizon and ATT snapped up a big chunk of that 700mhz spectrum that TV will give back in Feb 2009. (as TV moves to Digital). This frequency is prime; it travels long distances and penetrates buildings with ease. This one event may be the most powerful accelerants that will take us into a ubiquitous, hi speed wireless future. Think this will affect local media ?  Click here to read more.

HULU; Online TV Station  Not wanting to let YouTube and iTunes, illegal file sharing sites get too big on their backs, NBC and Fox TV join forces and place much of their prime time programming online for free. Pre-roll advertising pays the freight. Now, no need to watch your fav show Tuesday night at 9, since you can watch anytime, on demand. What does this mean for reps that sell local TV time? Click to watch HULU.

CBS Widgets;We want you to see our stuff everywhere. It really doesn’t matter if you don’t consume our stuff on any CBS site. Feel free to watch it on your own favorite blog or portal if you prefer. And if your a local blogger, We’ll do a rev-share with you to use our widget. More proof that the portal concept is toast? Click to read more.

Tribune Merges TV & Newspaper.With the goal of building dominant local media organizations, Tribune smartly starts to bring all of their assets together under one roof, to take tap the obvious synergies. Other have tried this before, but not with the neccesary conviction/muscle/foresight that Zell and Michaels will bring to the table. The silos of TV, Radio, Newspaper and Web are crumbling as we speak. We’re all in this together.  Click to read more.

Newspaper join forces with QUADRANT ONE.Quickly becoming a formidable, online ad network of about 250 Newspaper publishers. Started by the Tribune, Gannett, New York Times Co. and Hearst to offer advertisers a one-stop-shop for easily buying ads in US newspapers. What does this mean for Centro? Watch for competing TV networks to build and launch something similiar. Click here to learn more.