The New Age of Dual-Screen Viewers

Remember the days when the most controversial or weird scene appeared on your favorite TV show, and you wished you could enter the minds of TV fanatics like yourself, questioning whether their thoughts were similar to yours? Well, with today's fast and growing technology, and the ability to reach someone in less than 1 second via web, smartphone, or tablet, it is a definite possibility. People all over the world are using their technological devices to interact with each other about characters and scenarios while watching TV at the same time. Research from the Nielsen study concluded that the average TV consumer spends about 3 hours and 40 min a month watching TV while using the internet (two-screen consumption).

Now, networks like ABC, Bravo, and MTV are monetizing this new age of dual-screen viewership, seeing it as an opportunity to sell themselves to advertisers on TV and online. Allegedly, Bravo was one of the first to initiate the monetizing method in spring 2009 during the season finale of Real Housewives of NYC, second season. A "virtual viewing party" was hosted via http://www.bravotv.com/ , giving fans of the Housewives series access to communicate with fans all over the country, as well as C-list celebrities. A spokesperson from the Bravo network revealed that its digital revenue increased by 53% since incorporating this method.

Both the networks and their audiences can benefit from this new way of watching television. While the audiences engage in synchronized interactions, express opinions, suggest alternative plots and advertise themselves, networks use this outlet to increase ratings and include advertisement on TV and online.

Central venues like Miso, Get Glue, and Philo allow networks to include these digital activities:

·         CBS has an iPad application for NFL football.

·         ABC had an iPad app for an unsuccessful series of My Generation, which ended after the second episode, featuring polls, quizzes, and character. 

·         The CW has a "Watch and Tweet" link allowing fans to interact not only with other fans, but also creators of select shows.

·         MTV also incorporates these apps during the VMA's, Presidential events, Movie Awards, and so forth.

The Unsexy Side of SIRIUS XM radio

On July 29, 2008 a genius idea was accomplished for two large radio companies, or so it seemed. SIRIUS Satellite Radio and XM Satellite radio merged into the second largest radio company in the country with over 18.5 million subscribers. Mel Karmazin, CEO of the newly emerged radio company, now called SIRIUS XM Radio, was pleased to announce its success. “Every one of our constituencies is a winner. Combined, SIRIUS XM Radio will deliver superior value to our shareholders. By offering more compelling packages and the best content in audio entertainment, we are well positioned for increased subscriber growth.” The united station guaranteed over 300 channels of programming and talk show packets including Howard Stern, Oprah, and Martha Stewart. Karmazin also revealed that the company’s stockholders would receive 4.6 shares of SIRUIS’s common stock for each share of XM. What a wonderful idea right? Wrong…well at least in the eyes of Karmazin.  

On the flip side, Karmazin broke down to reporters in October 2010, admitting that his genius idea was a lot harder to handle than he had thought. Although the stations successfully merged into one large company, the cultural differences caused difficulties and altercations, and the staff size became too large to manage. Eventually, Karmazin had to cut down the staff, dismissing about 500 employees. “Not because they weren't good, but because we didn't need them,” stated Karmazin. He went through a long and though process interviewing his internal staff, and choosing the best candidates for the company. Although SIRIUS XM Radio is known as “The Best Radio on Radio,” and for having exclusive content relationships with renowned artists and personalities, Karmazin confirmed that there is nothing sexy about production behind the scenes.

Technology Upgrade for Disabilities

Congress recently passed a Communication and Video Accessibility Act , which was signed by President Obama on Oct. 8, 2010, with a goal of expanding the access to Smartphone and digital video programming. The CVA Act is designed to ensure that vision and hearing impaired citizens get full access to all capabilities of Smartphones, digital television, and internet-based video programming.

In 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed to guarantee equal opportunities for those with disabilities, and to prohibit discrimination. Existing laws, which required hearing aid compatibility on telephones, have now expanded to cell phones, Smartphones, and IP-enabled phones. The CVA Act now incorporates the constantly advancing telecommunication and video transmission based world we live in today.

While focusing on both closed captioning and video description, the CVA Act will include streaming over set-top and on-demand television services, video sales and rentals by digital download, and internet streaming over computer and wireless devices. Streaming devices will include set-up boxes, Tivo, and other DVR devices.

The concept of this Act is brilliant as it allows technology to branch out to even more diverse groups. Technology has an effect on millions of people everyday and it is constantly changing, so guaranteeing everyone’s ability to adjust to, and utilize it, is an important responsibility.

Because the FCC will implement the act, they will frequently meet with Congress to ensure plans and strategies for new communications technologies in the future.

Eddie “The Monster”

The pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Bishop Eddie Long, was recently accused of compelling sexual activities with four young men attending his church. Allegedly, the four men were at the age of consent during the periods of molestation. So what is everyone getting so worked up about? Well, for one, he’s a pastor and he should not be having sex with anyone other than his beloved wife. Two, and most importantly, it contradicts his “beliefs” and teachings that homosexuality is a mortal sin. He even participated in a march to support the ban on gay marriages in Atlanta.

On Sunday, September 26, Bishop Long faced the New Birth congregation, and the media for the first time after accusations were made. All he could say after being absent from church for a month (there were guest speakers to substitute for Bishop Long before the accusations went public) was that “[he’s] not a perfect man” and that he is denying the charges. With this response, he failed to fulfill the curiosity of his audience, and left plenty of room for the media to inflict their artistic assumptions in the minds of society.

After service on Sunday, Bishop Eddie Long allegedly banned the media from entering his church, and refused to speak with anyone else unless he was in a courtroom. By blocking the media and avoiding the situation, Bishop Long is openhandedly signing his name on the molester list. Think about it. What do you think when you come home to find your puppy sitting quietly under the table with his tail in between his legs? That he’s done something wrong, and doesn’t want you to find out. How about when you ask for report cards and your child mentions everything else, but the location of the report card? You’re probably thinking that if the report was any good they would just hand it over. But when they stall you have every reason to believe that the letters on that card are located between “C” and “G” in the alphabet.

The point that I am making is that deception and avoidance stem from a guilty conscience. If he is innocent, then he should say it and charge the young men for slander. But by avoiding this situation, he is diminishing his credibility, trust, and respect.



Wheaties Fuel! Its Gotta Be Better Than Drugs

Have you ever had that morning where you woke up earlier than you were supposed to and couldn't go back to sleep? So you got on up to start your day because you knew that lying back down was out of the question due to your anxious tossing and turning. 20 minutes later, after walking around, you feel incredibly sluggish and weak, and pretty cracked-out because your eyes are super heavy.


Well, that happened to me this morning (It happens a lot and leaves me sluggish and fatigue the whole day), the day planned to move in my apartment. I felt like I was going to fall on my face, so I figured I would just have some coffee... but I don't drink coffee. I walked my dog outside and noticed a huge dark ad on the plastic bag that covers the newspaper. It was a General Mills "Wheaties Fuel" ad with a sample box of the new cereal on the side. I thought to myself, Hey! This is the cereal for champs! It's known to enhance strength and endurance for athletes! It makes them run all fast, and jump super high... hmmm, maybe I should try this instead of burning my tongue with a nasty mug of coffee." So I popped open the box and threw a couple dry grains in my mouth. "Mmmm! not bad, not bad at all." I poured the rest in a bowl of cold milk and started chowing down on the cinnamon and honey, crispy/crunchy cereal.

About three bites later, I felt like super women. Not only did the cereal have an amazing taste, but I suddenly got a burst of energy, adding a lot of pep in my step. I guess it's all the vitamins and minerals that gave me such a refreshing and energized feeling. I would definitely recommend this cereal to anyone who needs that extra kick in the butt in the mornings. And it's not something that wears off quickly. As a matter of fact, I felt great the whole day and was able to do my job with a smile on my face. =)http://www.wheaties.com/evolution/


Wheaties Fuel!!! It's the cereal for champions!!!