Thursday, March 26, 2009

Finally!

I have finally decided on a topic for my paper #3! It is focusing on why networks are ignoring the baby boomers when creating television shows when they seem to be the most reliable, and instead are developing their shows around the demographics of 18 to 34 year olds.

I find it interesting how much the entertainment industry is changing in this day and age. From the moment that the television set was created it has been able to captivate the world. Other than the radio it was the only way to obtain an outside source of entertainment with out leaving the house. Much has changed since the early days of television with the ability to find entertainment with many other devices that make us look like the Jetsons. With all of the other products that are available, television networks have to constantly stay on their toes to make their shows the latest and greatest, with the newest ways to stay connected. With first things first they have to decide who their important demographics are to use as their basis for their television shows.

The reason for the networks focusing on the younger, 18 to 34 year olds, is because they are faster to embrace new media like video games, the Internet, and cell phone propaganda. The advertisers are also willing to pay premium to these networks to have their products aired toward this demographic. They find them to be the ones purchasing their products and engaging in their sales. Life styles are continuously changing to allow for a more diverse group of viewers during the prime time slots, so finding that key demographic leads to the success of the television show and without it results with it being canceled. I have found out that in the 1960's demographics were focused on different strategies than age groups, the networks focus was to find the right people in general. This concept did not last long when they decided to focuse on finding the right age group that would help them to make the most money and increase their ratings. Online sites seem to be their largest source of promotion that the different networks use for their shows. The online sites that are developed allow for the young audience to find other ways to connect with the show which eventually creates loyal fans. They can engage in different ways that most likely result in longer term fans. This young demographic is a positive for both the network and advertisers, while the network makes the money from the advertisers the advertisers do in return.

My focus has changed dramatically as I watch television today. The characters problems do not seem to captivate me as much as how the networks are promoting other products through out the show and what key words the actors are saying or cars they are driving. One of the first shows that I noticed this in was "Gossip Girl". Cell phones prove to be a main prop that is used in almost every scene in the hour episode, and every time that it is referenced to the audience has the ability to take a glace at the name of the phone and wireless provider's logo, Verizon. Both of these allow for Verizon to show the "Gossip Girl" audience that the phones that are constantly being used are the new hot item that they too should have. At the end of each episode they tell the audience to log on to the CW website to check out the music that was played throughout the episode. I decided to log on and see what their site has to say to their audience, they provide them with the ability to all things related to the show, from reading postcards from the characters trips, to shopping for clothes that they wore on the show. This site has created the ability for their fans to look and act just as the characters do, and ultimately sucks them into buying in to their products. Not only does "Gossip Girl" use outside sources and product placement to connect their audience but they are also formulated to attract the demographic of the 18 to 34 year olds.

This invigorating demographic transformation keeps me enthralled as the networks continuously work on their ways to keep them connected while the demographics 50 and older are left in the dust.

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