Many believe that internet marketing like content writing services will inevitably kill television advertising.  Some think the internet in general will cause the downfall of television as an entertainment medium in the UK.  Some fail to consider the added benefits that internet content and social media provide television programs with.

Second Screening

Traditionally a family would gather around the living room television to all focus on what was the greatest form of home entertainment.  Computer technology then became increasingly available as personal computers, and by the end of the 1990’s, not only did most families own a computer but often in affluent families, various members of the family would own their own personal computer.

In the last decade, the increasing portability of devices, first with laptops and then smartphones and tablets has meant that it is now quite unlikely to see a family watching television without at least some of the family members accessing the internet via their personal devices.

This doesn’t however have to be a distraction from the screen.  On the contrary, it is becoming an increasingly used method of engaging the viewer for television programs to offer extra features and conversations about the show on their website or social media site.  Content writing services are employed here, not to go against the advertisers during the programme, but to actively help engage the viewers with the program, tune in the next week and also interact with the programmes sponsors.

Ratings

The relationship between social media and television is so great, that social media giant Twitter has announced it is working on a TV ratings system in the USA based on Twitter buzz .  Currently TV shows in the UK are calculated by a small sample of people’s viewing habits who have signed up to have a box that monitors their television set.

With or without Twitter’s new service, company’s already have a fair idea about the engagement with their shows through the output from content writing services and social media statistics.  The application Trendrr is another important part of Twitter’s TV engagement strategy, and it acquired the technology this week.

Analytics

Trendrr is an online tool which provides television networks with the ability to see a variety of different data about the way in which their programming has been received on social networks.  This is vitally important for many shows which are hosted live, such as the X Factor or live sports events that actively encourage their viewers to get involved online.

From the online reaction, they can gauge their audience, make improvements based on the comments and appeal more to advertisers as they can prove that people do not merely have their show on in the background, but are actively engaged in what is going on.

A Marriage of Two Mediums

Television should not react to the internet and digital media as though it is the enemy.  The internet provides an opportunity for further engagement and greater rewards for television companies using social media and content writing services.  The UK may have changed its television viewing habits, but that certainly does not mean the medium has become outdated and irrelevant.