What we're listening to: ABC 'Lexicon of Love'

The debut of Sheffield English Band ABC (easy one to remember that) from 1982 which has just been followed up with Lexicon of Love 2 in 2016, so popular that the original was. In fact it was a UK number one, largely for Martin Fry the man behind it all.

Produced by the incredible Trevor Horn, it lifted off with the single "Poison Arrow" but followed with "The Look of Love" and "All of my Heart". You'll also probably know them from "When Smokey sings" although it's not on this.

This is Pop ladies and gentlemen but really smart glam Pop. Pop for the musical thinkers although it's often called 'New Wave' which, it isn't. Just great melodies and catchy beats. None of your 'Concept Album' this.

Really nicely produced in a very Trevor Horn way and generally a happy sound, it's one to have and to hold. Cheers you up a bit.

It did in Streamabout anyway and they need cheering up. Here's a listen and the excellent Smokey (Robinson) sings.....who broke my heart?

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Rickie Lee Jones 'Rickie Lee Jones': Billy Joel "Glass Houses": Rodriguez "Cold Fact": Prefab Sprout 'Steve McQueen'; Chet Baker 'Live 64-79'; The Stone Roses 'Stone Roses'; Joe Jackson 'I'm the Man'; Oasis 'Morning Glory'; Bob Dylan 'At The Budokan'; Van "It's too late to stop now Volume 2/3/4"; Air 'Moon Safari'; Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'; Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats Goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'. 

What we're listening to. George Ivan Morrison. The New Volume 2 'It's too late to stop now'. Magnificent.

Just stop whatever you're doing right now and put this new Album on.
You simply won't find anything better for a long, long time.

It's actually brand new (June 10) but the original 1973 Album (Volume 1), we blogged about in October 2015 because Ivan hit 70. 

This is a new release to follow that infamous original, which he recorded aged 29, with more unreleased material.

What made the original famous of course, was that it was the first live Album recorded live 'as it was', without the usual overdubs and superb it was too. 

Considered an absolute classic.....But this is probably better, if that was ever even possible. 

The whole breadth of this Album is so much more and so too the digital quality as a 24 bit remastered high resolution, which feels intimate rather than over-produced. Just like you're wonderfully there. 

Called 'Volume 2/3/4' it's more of the 1973 concerts recording over 8 nights (The Rainbow, The Troubadour and The Auditorium, which each volume reflects songs from each gig) but completely unreleased music. 

And what a glory it is. 

We don't think you'll hear Van in better form or a Band (The 11 piece, Caledonia Soul Orchestra) more tight and trust us, we know everything he's ever done.

It opens with 'Come Running' from the 1970 Moondance as a jaunty version and there's a cracking version of 'Brown Eyed Girl' (which we were getting tired of hearing, but not anymore). 

'Snow in San Anselmo' too, from the 'Hard Nose the Highway' Album, which hadn't yet been released at the time, as well as the Joey Raposo standard 'It's Not easy bein green'. 

Possibly one of the best ever, but little known Van tracks is here too - 'Purple Heather' (Will you go, Lassie go) - is just superb. 

'Moondance', 'Caravan', 'Domino', 'Cyprus Avenue' (from Astral Weeks where the line "it's too late to stop now" comes from), 'Gloria', 'Aint nothing you can do', 'Into the Mystic', 'Here comes the Night', and just listen to the drumming on 'Wild Children'. 'Wild Children' shows the string arrangements beautifully too. 

We could go on.

Jeff Labes on piano, David Hayes on Bass, Brother Jack Schroer on Sax, John Platania on Guitar, Bill Atwood on trumpet, Nancy Ellis on Viola....extraordinary. In fact, only on this Album can you hear for the first time really, the excellent influence of David Shaw's drums and the imagination of him working with David Hayes on Bass. 

If you can get the Bass player and drummer working together, you get something special and here they do.

You can actually see their close playing on the accompanying DVD, also highly recommended and if nothing else, to see George Ivan Morrison at the height of his powers as the Band leader. Talk about managing the sound!

And to see him kicking out his feet for 'Gloria'. And to see the Right hand conducting the Band, as he was so notorious for doing. And to see him lose himself in the music.

Only thing that's missing here is 'Madame George' also recorded as 'Madame Joy', with probably the best lyric ever written in a song..... "Sitting in a corner playing dominos in drag"....still everything is magnificent. 

As someone in Streamabout said, if you could give this Album 15 stars, you would. 

There isn't and there won't be, a better record to get this year. And most likely, a better record for decades to come. Unbelievably wonderful.

And here's 'Caravan' below for the Band intro alone. No one does it better. 

We never agreed that 'Astral Weeks' was his best Album anyway, but now there's no argument anymore. This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is it. 

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Air 'Moon Safari'; Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'; Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats Goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'.

Facebook Advertising tracks Store Visits. Brilliant effective advertising.

Facebook are linking their Advertising to store visits according to AdWeek and Adage. 

So you can track who sees the Ad and whether they visit the shop!

Which means, targeted local awareness Ads (say an Offer) using GPS, as people walk near a shop, can be proved effective. 

Ideal to capitalise on mobile usage too. Real Advertising delivery and effectiveness. 

However, people will have to opt-in for GPS tracking on an App but that should be overcome as an add-on to the Facebook App. They're also rolling out a feature called 'Store Locator' giving shoppers detail info on the nearest shops etc. so that will fit the GPS bill too. 

If you know where people are at any given time, you can Advertise to them and measure the actual return through a visit. Next of course, will be adding in the transaction. 

Facebook's Offline Conversions already does that to a point where transactions are over Mobile.

It's all pretty brilliant really.

streamabout.com

YouTube overtakes TV for 18-34 year olds. No surprise unless you're in the TV Propaganda Dept.

YouTube is bigger than TV and they're going to prove it.

A study due later this week, will take data from Comscore and BARB to show that YouTube reaches more 18-34 year old Brits, than any other commercial TV Channel. It's based on an analysis of 'monthly averages' in Q1 2016.

YouGov in a survey of 16-34 year olds recently showed that 41% would pick YouTube over TV (only 27% prefer TV). 58% found things they are passionate about on YouTube....but if you've kids, you'll know that already. Common sense. 

There are 190 YouTube UK Channels with more than 1 Million subscribers each - a +50% jump on last year. Simply because it's obviously easy to find what you're looking for on YouTube and not on scheduled, linear TV.

So if you want to reach this younger, important demographic, you need to switch advertising money off TV and onto YouTube.

And if you want to be active on YouTube, get a video!

Streamabout.com

Food glorious Food. It's big on Video

Food videos attracted 23 Billion Video Views last year (mostly on YouTube and Facebook) according to data published in The Financial Times. Pinterest of course is huge on Food (and Fashion) as indeed is Instagram. 

So popular are they, that a threat from the BBC to remove them from its website (as part of an effort to save £15m a year) saw 100,000 people sign a protest petition.

Streamabout knows that too, Cooking delivers high audiences on video and recipes are replayed/shared a lot.

It's a category that's ideal for grocery retail through showing the recipe video and then delivering the ingredients on a click through. Or indeed any complementary products (wine, water, tableware, coffee, safe food organisations, brands looking for conviviality and so on).

Food video are huge. And they're going to be huge...r.

The TV Versus Digital Debate. Ad Age comes into it.

A great follow-upper to our Blog of yesterday which created a good stir (and thanks to Camillus O'Brien for pointing this out), is a story in Ad Age, the 'Bible' of Ad Agency land.

It's an excellent piece and we don't want to criticise it but (isn't there always).... the headline is 'TV Budgets shifting to Social? Yes, it's time to worry' and the "yes, it's time to worry" bit, clearly shows the readers concerns about Digital. Whereas, there's nothing to worry about here at all folks.

The sub-head is the crux of the story - "The growing video businesses of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat, pose a viable alternative to TV' - and that's what we've been saying. 

But it's a breakthrough to read that on Ad Age. Warms the heart.

The overall point of the story, is that for media buyers who want to reach the optimum audience, a combination of Social and TV gets it done rather than, TV on its own.

In the US over 70 billion usd will be spent on TV Advertising whereas Facebook will generate circa 2 Billion usd. A "trickle" right now but "that trickle can very easily become a strong flow". And so it should because Advertising money follows Audiences. 

The Ad Age conclusions are based on some facts or thoughts;

1. The growing availability of Social Video Ads. A rise in Social Media inventory and new video opportunities on Digital, encourages growth.

2. Strong Demographics and Reach on Social. The infamous quote that there's a TV Superbowl audience on Facebook every day and there is, means Social is delivering a TV equivalent audience. Facebook had 83.3 million unique viewers in March 2016, Google 182.2m. 

That's higher than a lot of TV stations. Most, even.

3. Advertisers prepared to spend on Digital. So the switch from TV Dollars to Video Ads is happening already, albeit in a small way but the intent, procedure is there.

4. Video Ads are moving towards TV style measurement. All 4 major Social platforms have enlisted Nielsen to verify online viewing so shortly, they'll be TV comparable.

5. The push for Live streaming. Which in itself, will bring TV advertising style opportunities notably around live sports - the now critical earners for TV networks. So this is a threat to TV viewing because as live sports are watched online, traditional TV audiences will diminish further.

6. The growing importance for Social Video to advertisers. They see it working, they know it works, they've dipped their toes. The 30 second TV spot is over with viewers happily prepared to watch longer form online video.

But a fair piece that really brings the whole debate into the open and is reassuringly positive. As we said yesterday, one is not a substitute for the other. They both work but best in tandem.

Full marks to Ad Age. 
And we never thought we'd be saying that.

Online Video Ads? That's streamabout.com too. Now there's an Ad.


Here's the full story (sorry, you'll have to cut+paste) 

http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/tv-budgets-shifting-social-time-worry/304078/?utm_source=digital_email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=adage&ttl=1464627625

Instagram Video is 60% of all Ads Q1 2016. If you're on Instagram, get Video.

There's a surge in interest on Instagram and Video Ads are taking over....

In the first quarter of 2016, 60% of all advertising impressions were Video on Instagram. That's pretty much doubled since December 2015.

Because of that, Instagram is adjusting to improve their video offering. They're now showing view counts as well as extending the Video length from 30 to 60 seconds. 

Video is right on the spot for that 18-30 Instagram user who are more likely to share Video than any other format. 112% more likely according to the 'Unruly' survey.

So if you want to effective on Instagram, get effective Video...go to streamabout.com.

Amazon launches YouTube Competitor.

Amazon have launched 'Amazon Video Direct', a self-serve video platform (like YouTube is) but lets creators earn money on advertising share (a 'per the minute streamed' payment). 

It's a big head-to-head with Google's YouTube.
YouTube make 2 Billion dollars a year and have 20% of the market.

It's directed at professional creators (like Streamabout) with only HD formats allowed (so targeting Vimeo quality we'd guess). You can select various ways to have your video monetised - streamed, download, rent, buy - even subscription.

And they're promoting it through their 'Stars' programme giving a share (small we'd think) of a million dollars a month fund, based on engagement. It's all about quality, all about Premium - good video.

But of course, this way it's a lot cheaper than buying content and Amazon spend circa 3 billion dollars a year doing that. Better to get quality video on a revenue share.

They'll also give full analytics so you know how well you're doing.

It shows yet again, the growth in online video viewing and the need for corporates to be involved. Perhaps with a programme series?

Yes we can.

Vice Media launches Viceland TV.

Vice Media has launched its cable TV channel 'Viceland' but it's also more 'multi device'. So it's viewable across multi platforms rather than just through Cable TV.

It will carry about 9 minutes of Ads in an hour and already has advertiser support from Clients like Toyota, Diageo, Unilever, Bank of America who are more into targeting that younger demographic.

Their main focus though is 'native ads' so yet again, we see the demise of the traditional 30 second commercial in favour of online video. Good. 

Traditional TV Ads are working less online than properly generated interesting content.

But Vice are hoping to move away from an output that features a barrage of Ads and makes the advertiser branding more engaging - more part of the programming. Bank of America for example, are looking at content that revolves around 'financial literacy' so useful stuff rather than 'Ads'.

Valued at over 4.5 Billion usd, it's a big foray for Vice Media. Success though, favours the brave.

Yahoo! It's for sale.

Reports are coming in that Yahoo! is actively starting to try and sell its core business. These substantiate the rumours we've been hearing for a long time and on Friday last, it's become almost 'official'.

Likely interest will come from Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, and buyout firms following pressure from investors (Goldmans, Morgans etc).

The entire company is valued at circa 28 Billion usd but that includes its now infamous stake in Alibaba of circa 26 Billion usd. 

So we're not sure what is and what's not included (likely Alibaba stake is not included) but we're sure that there's a sale going on.

Shares are falling on foot of it all (-10%) on top of -34% last year. Which means there's more uncertainty. 

That being the case, the answer here is to get it done and get it done, fast.

Twitter drives online Video with 24 hour Video guarantee. Firstview.

Twitter, like everyone else these days, is driving online Video.

So much so, they've introduced a new format - 'Firstview' - giving advertisers 24 hour access to timelines with video. What it means is, that when a user goes onto Twitter in a 24 hour period, they'll see a sponsored video at the top of their feed.

It's the top spot, just one below an organic tweet, so it will be seen.

Only available in the US just now, but it's coming.

Video is driving Twitter.
Streamabout are driving Video.

We make them, we place them. 
And Twitter wants them. 

The Television world has changed. Media meltdown from the markets.

Investors this week are re-assessing the value of TV.

The TV business is in trouble on two fronts - Firstly from disruptive technology that's ad-free (Netflix) and therefore, declining audiences (bringing less Advertising) and now, from the markets. A perfect storm.

Shares in Viacom, Time Warner, CBS, Fox were all hit last week, greater than the general market declines. Viacom for example, was -25% down, having reported declines in revenue, profit and income.

Disney, who are very diversified with blockbuster movies, even took a hit because of their dependence on TV. Time Warner took a hit because of its loss of subscribers/viewers. Yet, Netflix audiences surge to nearly 50 million in the US.

The problem with traditional TV continues, as viewers have now more (and better) options. 

Whether that's online broadcasting (Netflix, Amazon) or Apps (snapchat, vine) or spending time on Social Media (Twitter, Facebook) or Second screen viewing whilst watching TV - they're simply watching less. That means in turn, less advertising (because advertising money follows audience) and less subscribers (I use it less so why should I pay for it).

Audience ratings of prime shows (which you'll see peppered in this blog) are in steep decline with Nielsen reporting that 25 of the top 35 channels attracted lower audiences in 2015. Shows are in decline too. That's despite the TV industry trying to convince us otherwise through spurious data analysis.

According to The FT, "Wall Street has belatedly realised that the television world has changed. It is unlikely that the latest media meltdown will be the last" and indeed, that reporting will also be self-prophecy.

Of course too, TV is being replaced. By online digital video, something which Streamabout knows so well.

Spotify to launch Video online.

Spotify are to launch Video.

Initially to Android App users (mobile only), it will start in The UK, Germany and Sweden (funny enough). Clearly too, it's probably going to be music-led videos but there's no reason not to extend that into Sports, News, Entertainment and so. 

Spotify understand that the money is in online video and follow Facebook/Twitter/YouTube if you have an audience and they do. 75 million with 20 million of them subscribing.

A very appealing younger demographic and one which tends to be 'sticky' and which can be brought to relevant video depending on their choices.

Of course a movie service wouldn't be out of the question either we assume...

With a current valuation of 8.5 Billion usd, this will add to that, although it's not yet profitable and whilst this video service will be 'ad free', assume that should also say 'initially'.

Online Digital Video? Streamabout.com

What we're listening to. Chris Isaak 'At the Filmore'.

Hard to define Chris Isaak really. 1950's crooner? Rockabilly? Slightly country? Roy Orbison?

But it's different, that's for sure.

Possibly best known for 'Wicked Game' (from 'Heart Shaped World') or 'Somebody's Crying', or indeed his own TV show from 2001-04 'The Chris Isaak Show' ironically.

His 'Forever Blue' Album is well regarded too and there's been 12 Studio Albums outside of this Live Album from 2008.

'Somebody's Crying' is here, as is 'Wicked Game' but two others you may not know that are well worth checking out. 

'Baby did a bad, bad thing' was heard in the film 'Eyes Wide Shut' and just is so much a reminder of George Thorogood's 'One Bourbon, one Scotch'. Eerie.

If you saw the last episode of the excellent, 'The Affair', you'll have heard 'San Francisco Days' in the final car scene and it's fabulously excellent. Almost Beach Boyish. Have a listen.

So if you don't really know him, this is the Album to start. You'll hear his falsetto voice in action here on 'Baby did a bad bad thing' which contrasts to almost everything else he does. 

However, this is the track that's the winner. Somebody's crying....Wicked Game will play straight after it if you leave it run. 

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......Bob Dylan Street Legal,;Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan Aja; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill.

Making a Murderer. Stunning, like Netflix.

It's full credit to Netflix, that they're showing the way to TV broadcasters as to what can be achieved online. The latest release, 'Making a Murderer' is the most talked about show at the minute. And really, it's another stunner.

But it follows 'House of Cards', 'Orange is the new Black', the superb 'Narco' and of course, 'Breaking Bad'. Add to that, the ideal follow-upper to 'Making a Murderer' which is 'The Jinx'.

Whilst not all of these were 'made' or commissioned by Netflix ('The Jinx' is HBO), it is Netflix that's making the audiences by releasing the series same day and broadcasting with quality at a time that suits you. In fact, lending itself to that 'bingeing' (watching many programmes one after the other) which can't be done on traditional TV.

In fact, 'Netflix & Chill' has now become common parlance for a eh, good (?) night in.

Those that Netflix have made, they've thrown money at and have done so in a first class way. 'House of Cards' a real example of quality TV film making.

So their audience just keeps growing.

Given that CEO Reed Hastings, who takes his famed 6 weeks holiday and was "the most hated CEO" by the stock market 4 years ago, it's been a pretty stunning achievement.

They simply deserve it all because they put the work in and make broadcasting rich entertainment again. Even making a real niche like Documentaries, cool again.

And if you haven't seen 'Making a Murderer' or 'The Jinx' just go and do it. 'Making a Murderer' takes one or two episodes to get going (it was filmed over 10 years) but then it's an incredible story.

Like Netflix.

Irish Independent and Ad Age reports today on TV audience massive declines. Ads must switch to online digital video.

The growing crisis in TV Ad slump of ratings, continues.

A Report today in The Irish independent, "TV ads slump as viewers move to Netflix", showed a -25% slump in viewership from TAM (Nielsen) data in Ireland. Particularly acute amongst 15-34's and Housekeepers with children between 2013 and 2015.

Comreg also reported that 9% of Irish households have Netflix but a huge 18% of homes in Dublin have ad-free Netflix (which is the real market), spending a whopping 7 hours viewing a week. 

14% of those subscribers now no longer watch live traditional TV.

Therefore the traditional TV universe (the potential for an Irish audience to see Ads) has slumped.

We did of course know that, but it flies in the face of PR being put out by broadcasters claiming TV viewing remains static or growing. It isn't.

Just search 'TV' in the top left Search bar of this blog and you'll see many stories over many years, saying just that.

Today too, 'Ad Age' reports "No end in sight for TV ratings freefall..." again using Nielsen data to show that only 3 US shows year-on-year show ratings gain. NFL Football (live sports) being one of the three.

The average ratings decline, similar to Ireland, is -25%.

Of course, the story here is the switch to online digital video, growth that Streamabout only knows too well. And the Ad dollars will follow albeit at a slower pace. Indeed Facebook now reporting over 8 billion video views a day! In essence, they're broadcasting a Superbowl every day!

But what it does mean is that traditional TV broadcasters are going to have Ad sales difficulties unless they're state supported (RTE for example, receive circa 180 million euro from the Irish Government we believe).

Clients need to take cognisance too that TV is no longer the mainstay medium for brands - online video is. We can build brands, deliver more effective results and do it for less.

The TV game is up.

TV has simply become the delivery channel for live Sport only.

Adage, that bastion of all things Ad Agency, has a story showing that traditional TV in the USA has really just become the "delivery system" for the NFL.

Based on ratings, using Nielsen data, it shows that top rated programmes are all about Football live. The only other content that makes it, albeit in a relatively small way, is Season premieres or Republican debates.

So general entertainment per se, doesn't get a look in.

Pretty shocking if you're a TV broadcaster to see that all that supposed "rich" content you've developed, gets beaten by Football. 

For example, 'Supergirl' the newly well flagged show, ended up 71st on the list....'Empire' season premiere was 37th...'Walking Dead' a lowly 50.

Because entertainment is being watched online through video.
TV really is only about live broadcasts that you can't get online. Yet.

THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN

TV Show	Date	Viewers (in millions)
Fox National Game (Seahawks-Cowboys)	Nov. 1	29.4
NBC SNF Kickoff Game (Steelers-Patriots)	Sept. 10	27.4
Fox National Game (Cowboys-Eagles)	Sept. 20	27.2
NBC Sunday Night Football (Giants-Cowboys)	Sept. 13	26.8
NBC Sunday Night Football (Seahawks-Packer)	Sept 20	26.4
CBS National Game (Patriots-Cowboys)	Oct. 11	26.1
Fox National Game (Packers-49ers)	Oct. 4	25.9
CBS National Game (Chargers-Packers)	Oct. 18	25.0
Fox National Game (Cowboys-Giants)	Oct. 25	24.5
NBC Sunday Night Football (Cowboys-Saints)	Oct. 4	24.2
CBS National Game (Broncos-Colts)	Nov. 8	24.0
Fox News Channel GOP Primary Debate	August 6	24.0
CBS National Game (Ravens-Broncos)	Sept. 13	23.3
CNN GOP Primary Debate	Sept. 16	23.1
NBC Sunday Night Football (Eagles-Cowboys)	Nov. 8	23.0
NBC Sunday Night Football (Packers-Broncos)	Nov. 1	23.0
NBC Sunday Night Football (Patriots-Colts)	Oct. 18	22.8
NBC Sunday Night Football (Broncos-Lions)	Sept. 27	22.1
CBS National Game (Bears-Seahawks)	Sept. 27	22.1
Thursday Night Football (Broncos-Chiefs)	Sept. 17	21.1
NBC Sunday Night Football (Eagles-Panthers)	Oct. 25	20.6
NBC Sunday Night Football (49ers-Giants)	Oct. 11	19.6
Thursday Night Football (Ravens-Steelers)	Oct. 1	19.4
The Big Bang Theory (CBS)	Sept. 21	18.2
NCIS	Sept. 22	18.2

Source: Nielsen
Chart by Chen Wu