Broadcast television is scrambling to find cheaper programming alternatives as high production costs are already being blamed for the upcoming cancellations of Kelly Clarkson and Sherri Shepherd’s daytime talk shows and being used as a partial reason for the end of CBS’ “Late Show” franchise with host Stephen Colbert. As more podcasts compete in the video space driving viewership to YouTube and now Netflix for big national shows, many local television stations will need compelling programming filled with familiar faces and voices to fill the time.
Where exactly can they get those? Perhaps by scanning the radio dial?
Simulcasting radio shows on television is not new with programs being on both mediums since the dawn of television. he practice of simulcasting long-form programs took off nationally with ESPN Radio’s Fabulous Sports Babe on ESPN2 and Howard Stern’s half-hour best-of on E! starting in 1994 and then WFAN’s Imus in the Morning debuting on MSNBC in 1996. Many other local and national radio shows particularly in the News/Talk and Sports genres have since mastered the television simulcast.
Locally produced daytime television usually fits in one of two silos. Extending and repeating cheaper-to-produce newscasts or a local “infotainment show” that’s usually filled with guests who are paying to appear to promote their events and local businesses while talking to the host or a panel. Many regularly will feature local radio personalities with a recurring segment giving them established relationships.
These television stations are seeking cheap and affordable ways to fill a half-hour or hour while providing local content targeting 25-54 audiences which local radio shows are already doing in abundance. Just produce your show as regular and then edit the video down to air somewhere in the late morning/early afternoon timeslot. Most radio studios have been setup with cameras for use for social media and video streaming already. The only thing that may have to change is no-more coming to work in sweatpants.
A daily television show features 21 or 42 minutes of content daily, already perfect for a best-of podcast as well. Add a wrap-around segment or two exclusively for the TV show and you’re done with no real additional work-load.
Wouldn’t it be great to have another broadcaster pay a licensing fee or even just a revenue share to give you a free daily marketing platform for your show? We have content that we’re just learning now how to optimize for multiple platforms. They need it. We have names that are known in communities. They need it. They have existing infrastructure and marketing capabilities to grow a show. We need that.
Television station owners are already deep in the process of figuring out their plans for the fall season launching in September. Now would be the time to act to see if there’s room for a partnership.
1000%. Radio is no longer bound to the speaker. Hasn’t been. NBC Sports Boston thrives from simulcasting 98.5 The Sports Hub’s midday and afternoon show. All solid sports stations should be broadcast on both mediums and streaming. All content-intense shows should be considered. The barrier of entry is lower than it has ever been, the talent is already hired. You are one decent technical director away from it becoming a full blown TV show.