Comcast- NBCU?

Learning about the current Comcast- NBCU merger was my favorite topic of the week. Combing the largest cable operator (the former) and one of the largest production companies (the latter) creates a pretty big power house. There are many concerns that “the merger will limit communications choices and drive up costs to consumers” (Hamill). But the conditions and regulations set should keep the new Comcast in check. Due to the merge Comcast committed to expand local news, broaden Spanish-speaking programs and offer Internet access to schools and libraries (Hamill). I believe the merger was a good decision so far and should continue to be as long as we keep and eye on their power.

I’m exited to we what we have in store for after spring break!

Hamill, Kristen. "Comcast-NBC Merger Approved by FCC - Jan. 18, 2011." Business, Financial, Personal Finance News - CNNMoney.com. 18 Jan. 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. .

Broadcast/Cable/Satellite... So confusing!

This week’s topic of broadcast/cable/satellite systems was a tough one but also very interesting. It was cool learning about something that we use on a daily basis. In fact, I had two different conversations about how service was provided to TVs around the country, after classes this week and it felt so cool that I knew everything about it! The most confusing concept to grasp was how they work together, who owns what, and what ads they sell. To sum it up, broadcast systems work with local stations to distribute national content while cable has an agreement with cable system operators and satellite providers to distribute the national content. As for where they create revenue, Broadcast networks and stations get almost all their revenue from ads while cable networks and systems get it from advertising and subscription fees. So confusing!

the long tail...

Reading about the “long tail” theory was also interesting but I also thought very logical. The hits (the top 20% of inventory) cover about 80% of sales while the rest obscure content only accounts for 20% of sales. This makes sense but is quickly being fixed by online shopping. For instance, in my COMM 150 class we watched Bollywood film that my friends and I loved so much that we wanted to buy it but we couldn’t find it anywhere. We went to your usual blockbuster, best buy, but couldn’t find what we wanted. Of course once we went on amazon, BOOM there it was. Selling unique things online allows for a larger customer database and not losing shelf space, since most online items are stored in warehouses.

(Media and Information Economics, Jackson, 9 February 2011)

Landline telephones make the most revenue. Really?

I was shocked when Professor Jackson informed us this Tuesday that the top U.S. telecommunication that brings in the most revenue is the landline telephone industry. The class estimate for top revenue was Broadcast TV but I ranked the mobile phone industry as number one. Ironically the class put landline phones last when in reality it is first. Once Professor Jackson explained that business’s all use landlines and in most cases multiple of them, it made a little more sense. I also thought that video games would be higher than the film industry on the spectrum because of its growing popularity among teens and young adults. But of course I was wrong again because it’s 8th on the list. All telecommunication industries are quickly growing because of the continuing demand for these mediums.

(Media and Information Economics, Jackson, 9 February 2011)

3D TV? No Way!

I was absolutely amazed when I read the reading “How 3D TV’s Work”. I guess I never really thought about how quickly technology is moving. I remember going to Disneyland when I was little and wearing anaglyph glasses to watch, It’s a Bug’s Life. It weird to think that you can trick your brain into thinking the flat image you see is coming out at you. Now days it’s movies like Avatar that really blow me away. My dad and I went to see it in IMAX the day it came out , and we sure did love it! Although it was a fantastic movie, we both came out with a headache. My dad and I being naïve thought it was the loud music, but now I know it is more likely that our headaches were caused by the polarized lenses we were wearing. Because each eye sees one set of images your brain has to focus harder.
As for 3D TV, I’m not so sure if I would enjoy it as much. I love treating myself to a good 3D movie every once in a while but I can’t imagine watching all my TV shows with people’s hands popping out at me. For now, I love my HDTV which is close enough to a perfect picture for me!