New and Digital Media Stories: Week 5

Article from The Guardian

The article outlines BBC's growing concern that they are losing younger audience groups through new devices (smart phones etc). And how thy are attempting to make BBC appeal more to the younger generation consumers - for instance, an I-player log in, which can be accessed through mobile devices - the mean in which is dissecting the BBC's younger audience. 

Key Quotes and Facts: 

• “What we’re thinking about is OTT: is this a threat to TV, is Netflix a threat to TV? No it isn’t. It represents a small part of what people want from TV,” said North, speaking on a panel at the Mipcom conference in Cannes.
• “But social will grow and become the primary activity: the kid sitting there with the TV on, but they’re on their [mobile] screen. So it’s where the attention lies from screen to screen.”

In my opinion, I think it is a wise move that BBC are looking closely at what best fits the needs of the younger generation in terms of TV, as after all they will become the older generation eventually and it is ideal that they function the accessibility toward their upcoming audience base. 

Article from The Guardian

The article addresses Amazon Primes' new offer to members for a six month free trial of the digital edition of the Washington Post and a discount on future subscriptions. The deal sparked intense speculation about how the power of the world’s largest online retailer would be brought to bear on one of the US’s most prestigious titles.
Key Quotes: 

• “Offering free access to new subscribers through Prime allows us to connect with millions of members nationwide who may not have tried the Post in the past,” said Washington Post president and general manager Steve Hills. 
• “With this special offer, Prime members can see firsthand why more than 50 million people monthly choose the Washington Post as their source for news.”
• Bezos’s $250m acquisition of the Washington Post brought to an end 80 years of ownership by the Graham family, which turned the paper into one of the most respected titles in the world via its series of scoops over the Watergate scandal.
• “Offering free access to new subscribers through Prime allows us to connect with millions of members nationwide who may not have tried the Post in the past,” said Hills.

In my opinion, I think that this is a prime example of the impact new and digital media is having on the newspaper's print industry and it is quite upsetting to see. The concept and behaviour of one commuting and buying a hand print copy of a newspaper, is far more appealing in my eyes than relying on an electronic device to attempt to offer the same thing. However, the offer of a six month free trial is appealing, but yet jeopardising for journalist and revenue sales.