Over the course of the past few decades, we have seen the dawn of a new age of social media and how it impacts marketing across all businesses. In the television industry, especially, there have been some major changes as to how television shows are marketed to audiences nation wide. Social media has forever changed how these producers are able to track ratings, start conversations and obtain financing through sponsors and commercials. According to Teddy Hunt’s article (http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/social-media-marketing/has-social-media-changed-television/), he states that “the Internet and social media have actually enhanced TV viewing in many ways without negatively affecting its popularity as a pastime.” Here is a great video essay on social media’s impact on television:
Television ratings are now easier to track through online social media platforms. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have now become a new avenue for producers to see exactly how many people “Like” a TV show, how many viewers are watching and what market they are in. These sites are connected to online profiles of the people who are watching and, thus, allowing analysts to not only see who is watching but what else they are watching. Twitter, on the other hand, allows viewers to chat in real time. It is great resource for producers to use in an effort to understand what people like and dislike about a particular show. However, there are countless ways social media can be used an asset to the television industry.
There are many television shows that are now using social media as a part of its programing. Christina Gleason, of ignitesocialmedia.com, describes some great examples in her article entitled “5 TV Shows That Integrate Social Media Effectively” (http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/social-media-examples/tv-shows-integrate-social-media/). The Voice, a television show similar to American Idol where contestants perform for the chance of a music contract, uses Twitter as a way for contestants to tweet with their fans to ask for their votes. Another television show, Bones, uses Twitter to promote what is going on in the show while also showing “users where they can download music from each episode on iTunes.” In the end, social media is allowing the content producers and providers to directly communicate with their audiences. This not only gives the audience a way to voice their opinions about their favorite TV shows but it also gives them an opportunity to be a part of the production.
