Current Media Competition
Now Viewing Current Media's competition in: TV Cable, Pay & Broadcast Networks (primary)
Recent Developments
Writers' Strike Affects Broadcast TV, Benefits Cable - The greatest impact of the Writers' Guild three-month strike from early November 2007 to mid-February 2008 was on broadcast networks, mainly ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, and NBC, according to Nielsen. The number of reality and game shows increased significantly during the strike when scripted dramas declined 87 percent and comedies, 64 percent, from year-ago levels. Ad-supported cable benefited, with a 1.4 percent increase in viewers compared to a year earlier.
TV Ad Spending Declined in 2007 - </strong>Total US spending on TV advertising declined 1.7 percent in 2007 from 2006, despite gains in two categories, according to TNS Media Intelligence. Ad spending increased 6.5 percent on cable and 1.3 percent on Spanish language TV. Other spending categories declined: spot TV ads dropped 10.2 percent; network TV ads fell 2 percent; and national syndication slipped 1.5 percent.
Industry Employment, Wages Decline - The TV broadcasting workforce is contracting as wages dip. US employment in TV broadcasting declined 4.5 percent in February 2008 compared to a year earlier and wages fell 0.7 percent. Average annual employment levels declined 1.5 percent in 2007 from a year earlier; wages dropped 0.2 percent.
Competitive Landscape
Business advertising, program popularity, and consumer demographics drive demand. The profitability of individual companies depends on advertising volume, programming mix, and efficient operations. Large companies have advantages of market dominance, often owning the only TV stations in a geography. Small companies can compete effectively with special programming that attracts a targeted audience. Average annual industry revenue per employee is $350,000: broadcast TV averages $257,000 per worker and cable TV about $651,000.
Full Industry Overview For TV Cable, Pay & Broadcast Networks
TV Cable, Pay & Broadcast Networks Industry Forecast
from Hoover's/D&B subsidiary First Research
The output of US TV and radio broadcasting is forecast to increase at an annual compounded rate of 4.8 percent between 2007 and 2012.
TV and Radio Broadcasting Growth Steadies
First Research forecasts are based on INFORUM forecasts that are licensed from the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. (IERF) in College Park, MD. INFORUM's "interindustry-macro" approach to modeling the economy captures the links between industries and the aggregate economy.
First Research Opportunity Rating
The First Research Opportunity Rating is First Research's estimate of industry performance vs. industry risk over the next 12 to 24 months.
- Demand: Tied to consumer income
- Need strong technical expertise
- Risk: Slowing economy limits spending on non-essentials
Industries Where Current Media Competes
- Media
- Television
- Television Cable, Pay & Broadcast Networks (primary)
- Internet Content Providers
- Television
