Digital Viewing Strong on Smartphones

Spots N Dots
The Daily News Of TV Sales
February 7, 2017

DIGITAL VIEWING STRONG ON SMARTPHONES

CONSUMERS TAKE ENTERTAINMENT MOBILE

Smartphones are the platform of choice for people surveyed globally in the second wave of PayPal’s Digital Goods Economy Survey conducted by SuperData. In the U.S., 58% of respondents said they use smartphones when asked which devices they use to watch movies or TV series that were purchased or streamed online in the last three months. The smartphone is even more preferred for music, with 86% saying they used their phone for listening to streamed or purchased music.

In fact, owning physical copies of music is history. Only 12% of U.S. respondents preferred owning physical copies of their music and only 17% wanted to have a mix of both physical and digital music. The majority of consumers prefer to either own all their music and store digitally (39%) or stream or subscribe to their music so they have access to it on the go (28%). For Millennials (18-34), 63% use paid streaming services for music and 60% buy paid music downloads—obviously with many using both.

For video content, the PayPal survey found that regardless of where the content is being consumed, mobile is driving purchases across movies and television. Almost 70% of movie/TV series consumers made a purchase on their mobile device. That’s nearly as high as the 72% for music purchases on smartphones. The preference for mobile purchases reinforces why PayPal emphasizes that merchants simplify the checkout process for consumers: “ease of use” and “processing payments quickly” were listed as the number one and two reasons across both verticals in why consumers select a specific payment method.

Having grown up with widespread piracy and a current reputation for cord-cutting, you might not associate the term “loyal” with Millennials. However, the survey results say they are loyal to their digital video and music subscriptions. Less than half stated they have cancelled a video streaming subscription after less than twelve months. Similarly, half of all consumers using music streaming services indicated that they had kept an active subscription for a year or more.

That doesn’t mean that piracy isn’t still a problem—although more so for movies than for TV series. Although nearly 90% insisted that they haven’t illegally downloaded any video in the past three months, 72% of all U.S. respondents admitted that they most often pirate while there’s still hype around a movie but before it is released on video, and 24% will pirate while the movie is still in the theater. 21% of those polled who pirate admitted that they only pirate TV shows and not movies.

ADVERTISER NEWS

The company behind Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob’s Stores has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Eastern Outfitters is actively looking for a buyer willing to rescue the business from the troubled sports retail sector. The proposed opening bidder at a bankruptcy auction is SportsDirect.com Ltd, per papers filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del. Eastern Mountain Sports currently operates about 40 stores, while Bob’s Store’s operate more than 30 apparel and footwear stores. Locations for both chains are primarily in the Northeast……Dollar General Corporation announced it plans to create 10,000 jobs tied to the opening of 1,000 stores and two distribution centers. As of last August, the company has 119,000 employees, 14 distribution centers and 13,000 stores in 43 states. Dollar General reported $20 billion in sales in fiscal 2015……Tyson Foods’ recent acquisition of Hillshire Brands and its strategy to expand protein-centric, branded, value-added products and categories is paying off. The company reported record sales in Q1 with net income increasing to $1.59 per share, up to $593 million.……Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s has entered the frozen novelty snack category. The company is bringing to market its four top flavors as Pint Slices. Chocolate-fudge brownies, chocolate chip cookie dough, vanilla peanut butter cup and American dream flavors can now be purchased in round, chocolate-coated single servings...... Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is planning to expand its dealership network by 380 new stores in a bid to improve its dwindling market share. The company’s current dealers are taking exception to the plan insisting the expansion could potentially threaten their present business.... Shares of Gap Inc. rose 2.7% late Monday after the retailer reported higher January and fourth-quarter sales, which included holiday sales. Net sales for January rose 2% to $828 million. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, Gap’s net sales rose 1% to $4.43 billion.... Shopko has expanded the grocery departments in 127 of its stores and 17 of those now have cooler and freezer sections. The expansion has introduced 1,500 new offerings in Shopko stores as they work toward their goal of becoming a one-stop shop for customers. Shopko has 380 stores in 26 states throughout the Central, Western and Pacific Northwest regions……Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is planning to expand its dealership network by 380 new stores in a bid to improve its dwindling market share. The company’s current dealers are taking exception to the plan insisting the expansion could potentially threaten their present business, with some existing dealers going so far as to complain to state authorities.

NETWORK NEWS

Kathleen Rose Pekinshas been selected to lead the ensemble cast of Good Girls, the new drama pilot being developed at NBC. The project will follow three “good girl” suburban housewives and mothers who suddenly find themselves in desperate circumstances and decide to risk everything to get their power back. Good Girls is written and executive produced by Jenna Bans, and the pilot will be directed by Dean Parisot…….ABC placed a pilot order for a new single-camera comedy starring former NBA player and current ESPN personality Jalen Rose. Jalen vs. Everybody is created by Nahnatchka Khan, creator of ABC’s family comedy Fresh of the Boat. The comedy follows Rose as he juggles his career responsibilities with the challenges of being a single dad. Jalen vs. Everybody will be written and executive produced by Khan and fellow Fresh Off the Boat executive producer Jake Kasdan……S.W.A.T., a drama series based on the 2003 movie and the 1975 TV series, has picked up a pilot order from CBS. The project is described as an intense, action-packed procedural following a locally born S.W.A.T lieutenant torn between loyalty to the streets and duty to his fellow officers. The project hails from Sony Pictures TV, which will co-produce with CBS TV Studios……Former Hercules star Kevin Sorbohas been cast in a recurring role as a mysterious new villain in the second season of Supergirl. Sorbo’s role is like the recent addition of Lois & Clark star Teri Hatcher. The actress is also expected to play a villain in multiple episodes...... Four-time Emmy winner Edie Falco has picked up a role in the upcoming Law & Order: True Crime anthology series at NBC. The first season will be called The Menendez Murders and Falco will portray defense attorney Leslie Abramson……A multi-camera cop buddy comedy has been given a pilot order from CBS. Brothered Up is about an emotional guarded African-American cop who is partnered with an emotionally available Pakistani cop as they patrol a Detroit neighborhood. The project is co-executive produced by Mark Gross (Man with a Plan) and CBS TV Studios…… ABC has ordered a single dad multi-camera project written by DannahPhirmanand Danielle Schneider. The pilot follows an emotionally challenged single dad that moves to Queens with his two young daughters and forms an unlikely family with the other residents in their apartment building. In addition, ABC ordered a pilot called Losing It, a single-camera project written by DJ Dash and executive producers Aaron Kaplan and Dana Honor of Kapital Entertainment. Dash will also serve as executive producer on the project.

JOB ADS INCREASED LAST MONTH

Online advertised job vacancies increased 49,000 to 4,850,500 in January, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLinedata report.

The December Supply/Demand rate stood at 1.57 unemployed for each advertised vacancy, with a total of 2.7 million more unemployed workers than the number of advertised vacancies. The number of unemployed was approximately 7.5 million in December.

DONE DEALS

Graham Media Group has promoted Katherine Fuller to Vice President of Research. Fuller will oversee research for the group’s seven television stations and digital platforms. She’s been Research Director at KPRC (Houston, NBC) for the past 24 years and has also served as program director for the station for the last five years.

VALENTINE SPENDING DOWN FROM RECORD

After a decade-long increase in Valentine’s Day spending, the National Retail Federation (NRF) sees a “market correction” this year. The NRF’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics says U.S. consumers are expected to spend an average $136.57, down from last year’s record-high $146.84. Total spending is expected to reach $18.2 billion, down from $19.7 billion last year, which was also a record.

This year’s survey found consumers plan to spend an average $85.21 on their significant other/spouse, $26.59 on other family members such as children or parents, $6.56 on children’s classmates/ teachers, $6.51 on friends, $4.27 on co-workers, and $4.44 on pets.

Top money goes to: jewelry (given by 19% of shoppers), $3.8 billion on an evening out (37%), $2 billion on flowers (35%), $1.9 billion on clothing (19%), $1.7 billion on candy (50%), $1.4 billion on gift cards/gift certificates (16%) and $1 billion on greeting cards (47%).

OFF-LEASE CARS FLOODING THE MARKET

2017 could be a great year for people in the market for a late model used car, according to Car and Driver. A glut of vehicles are coming off leases this year, which is expected to depress prices for used cars—and force manufacturers to offer hefty rebate deals on new ones.

“There are going to be some great deals out there on certified used passenger cars,” Toyota Motor North America CEO Jim Lentz was quoted telling a press roundtable at the National Association of Automobile Dealers (NADA) convention in New Orleans. Those certified pre-owned cars have low mileage and are typically come with a manufacturer-backed inspection and a warranty.

J.D. Power reported that the supply of used vehicles up to five years in age grew by 13% in 2016, powered by a 33% rise in off-lease vehicles. That stream is expected to become a flood this year. In addition to driving down pricing, the glut of desirable used vehicles means that vehicles are depreciating faster—with nearly all segments showing double-digit depreciation last year. The exception was large trucks—but even there depreciation was put at 8%. J.D. Power predicts that the depreciation rate for cars will rise to 21% this year.

THIS AND THAT

Luxury auto maker Maserati is recalling about 50,000 cars from model year 2014 through 2017. It says a wiring harness for the electric motor to adjust the front seat could short out and cause a fire……As Americans came back from the sidelines and began looking for work, the nation’s unemployment rate actually increased in January to 4.8% from 4.7% in December. The optimism of job-hunters appears justified, since the Labor Department reported that employers added 227,000 jobs in January—the most since September……CBS is adding Scout Media to its digital portfolio. CBS was the winning bidder at $9.5 million in a bankruptcy court auction of the sports video site.

AVAILS

Raycom Media’s corporate office in Montgomery AL is seeking a Marketing Specialist to serve in our Corporate Media Analytics Hub. Successful candidate will manage station inventory and provide primary research support for Raycom stations, and will assist station efforts with data analysis, interpretation and sales application of syndicated research resources including Nielsen, comScore, WideOrbit Media Sales as well as online resources. Qualified applicants, APPLY HERE, and attach your resume with cover letter. No phone calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V

WSMV-TV Nashville, TN the Meredith Corporation is searching for talented Account Executives that know how to achieve assigned revenue goals, solicit new advertisers and increase their share of business. If you are an experienced driven self-starter, ready for a move and would love to join our team and put satisfied advertisers on our station and digital properties please visit requisition JR02928 & JR02877 or submit your resume directly to: . EOE.

KPRC, the Graham Media owned NBC station in Houston, seeks a highly capable Station Traffic Specialist. This position is responsible for the gathering and entering of copy instructions and materials as well as maintaining a materials library. This person will also produce daily dub lists and weekly purge lists for the station, and will communicate with other departments to ensure their spots are on the log. Good organizational and time management skills a must! Send your resume to . EOE

Hearst Television in Tampa, WMOR-TV and This TV Tampa Bay, has an opportunity for highly motivated, driven National Sales Manager. A minimum of four years’ experience, preferred, with a proven track record in share growth and revenue generation. Must be creative and have the ability to establish non-traditional revenue both locally and nationally. Five years broadcast sales management experience and college degree preferred. CLICK HEREto submit your resume and cover letter. EOE

NBCUniversal is launching a new Telemundo-owned station in San Diego and is searching for a Vice President of Sales. This person will oversee entire sales and marketing department and will ensure employees work and sell with integrity and uphold Telemundo San Diego sales standards. Minimum 10 years prior experience in a TV, broadcast, digital sales or marketing managerial role, and a Bachelor’s degree required. Bilingual (English/Spanish) both written and verbal a must. Qualified candidates can CLICK HEREfor more information or to apply now. EOE.

WCMH TV, Columbus, OH (NBC, Nexstar Media Group), is looking for an Account Executive. The AE will be responsible for the following: Maintain and maximize core advertiser revenues; Develop new business for NBC 4, nbc4i.com, and Me-TV through contact with local advertising agencies and direct local clients. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of three years broadcast sales experience and a BA or BS degree. CLICK HEREto apply, look for job CMH-000280. Background check and drug screen required. EOE M/F/V/D

Digital Sales Manager – Milwaukee.Tribune Media / WITI FOX6 has an immediate opening for a progressive leader and revenue generating catalyst. You would be joining a highly successful sales team that sells some of the most powerful screens in Milwaukee: Fox6now.com, WITI FOX6, TheWeatherChannel.com, Antenna TV; and a multitude of audience extension / marketing services opportunities. If you have successful digital sales experience and you love to lead, coach, create, sell and help businesses grow please send a cover letter and resume to: . E.O.E.

WATE-TV 6 On Your Side, (ABC, Nexstar Media Group) in Knoxville, TN is accepting applications for a Local Sales Manager. Candidate must be dynamic and proactive leaders who create and sustain a winning culture through team building and leadership. 2 - 3 years recent television sales management experience (local and national combined) as a local or national sales manager is preferred; working knowledge of Matrix, Wide Orbit traffic systems. Acceptable driving record, pre-employment drug and background screening required. CLICK HEREto apply. EOE.

Apparently I snore so loudly that it scares everyone in the car I’m driving.–One Liners

By the time I tweet this, the thing I was outraged about will be the thing I’m second-most outraged about. - Conan O’Brien

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SPOTS N DOTS
The Daily News Of TV Sales
February7, 2017
Phone: 888-884-2630