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New Report:"Digital Broadcasting: Where Do We Go From Here?" ...released June 2010. NOW AVAILABLE.
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| Launching New Programming Ventures
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Moving Programming Ventures from Concept to Concrete
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Despite the dramatic increase in distribution capacity brought about by the cable industry’s digital rollout, the market for launching new programming services is more challenging than ever.
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Opportunities exist for the right concept accompanied by the right implementation approach. However, network group owners and large distributors dominate the landscape, audience fragmentation and tiering affect advertising and license fee opportunities, and technological advances create both options and questions about launch positioning and strategy.
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In this environment, Bortz Media’s extensive experience in evaluating and advising new programming ventures can serve as an invaluable resource to entrepreneurs and others involved in creating new programming concepts.
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Service Offerings
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Bortz Media can assist new programming services with all aspects of programming network development:
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Bortz Media has assessed and/or developed business plans for more than 50 programming ventures. These have included start-ups (e.g., ZDTV/TechTV/64 and Outdoor Life), growth stage networks (e.g., E! Entertainment Television and The Travel Channel) and established networks (e.g., Lifetime and ESPN). Plans include detailed pro forma financial projections, analysis of program service growth prospects and evaluation of market positioning. In addition, we regularly review and provide feedback (i.e., a reality check) on already developed business plans, and can offer valuable advice on how to modify/position these plans for greatest effect.
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In today’s market, a 24/7 “channel” is not the only distribution option, and may not be the best approach for many concepts. Bortz Media has the breadth of experience and expertise to assist network developers in understanding the pros and cons of such alternatives as video-on-demand, Internet/Brodaband delivery, program syndication, “nesting” – and can assist in choosing the strategy (or combination of approaches) that best fits the concept.
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Bortz Media can design and execute consumer and business-to-business research that will assess viewer, distributor and advertiser interest in a concept, and/or will establish key pricing, packaging and marketing parameters for a service. This type of research is often expected by prospective investors and distributors. (Visit the Market Research section of our website for more information on Bortz Media’s market research qualifications and experience.)
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Bortz Media can develop detailed marketing and tactical plans for both distributor/affiliate sales efforts and consumer marketing initiatives. As one example, we utilized market research as a basis to help E! re-position its cable operator affiliate sales strategy and tactics, contributing to substantial growth in the network’s distribution.
In addition, we can assist or directly engage in distribution negotiations as necessary.
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Bortz Media has a broad range of industry and financial institution relationships, and can assist network entrepreneurs in identifying potential sources of capital as well as working collaboratively with clients to develop these relationships.
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Bortz Media has assisted and/or evaluated more than 50
programming ventures, including:
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A & E
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ESPN
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Lifetime
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Outdoor Life
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Noggin
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USA Network
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The SciFi Channel
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Country Music TV
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PBS Kids
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PBS You
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The Disney Channel
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The Discovery Channel
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E! Entertainment Television
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ZDTV
(TechTV/64)
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The
Travel Channel
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Fox
Sports World
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Starz/Encore
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DMX
and Music Choice
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The International
Channel
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NBA League Pass and MLB Extra Innings
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Classic
Sports Network (ESPN Classic)
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Several
regional sports networks
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Telenoticias
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GolTV
Clients in this area have included:
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The Walt Disney Company
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Times Mirror
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Children’s Television Workshop
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Public
Broadcasting Service
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Crown
Media
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Ziff-Davis
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Discovery
Networks
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CBS
Cable
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Warburg
Pincus Ventures
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Anschutz
Entertainment Group
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The
National Basketball Association
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Major
League Baseball
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Vulcan
Ventures
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The
Washington Post Company
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| Bortz Media assisted Times Mirror Magazines in creating Outdoor Life (OLN) – developing the distribution strategy, the business case and a cross-platform marketing strategy. OLN now reaches more than 60 million homes and has been valued at over $600 million. |
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