Photo from @ladygaga twitpic account
I thought of this question last night just before the awards started live in California. I was hanging out on Twitter and I saw all the chatter start to happen about the Grammy Awards.
So I started to kind of tune out the chatter about the show knowing I would end up hearing the results via Twitter from many of the people I follow before the awards actually started here in Utah (where the awards started an hour later).
So, I have the @cnnbrk account on Twitter set to send me an SMS for “Breaking News”… because, well, that is what that account should be used for… right? Well, just after the live show starts, I get a @cnnbrk SMS message saying “Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” wins the Grammy for song of the year”. And of course CNN kept on broadcasting results all night… because as you know, the results are “Breaking News”.
Well, not that I really care in the end who wins what what award and for what song as I have no stake in the game, nor can I really blame @cnnbrk for announcing the winners, but it kind of made me think of how social media can ruin results for live events for people who watch them on a delayed feed. And to take it a step further, how does social media affect the advertisers who spend a lot of money for commercials during the show especially if people accidentally hear the results and decide not to tune in as a because they heard the winner already.
Recently, the Golden Globes (at least I think it was that show) decided to broadcast live in all time zones… and I thought that to be a smart idea. People had the option, if they so chose, to see it live OR record the program on their DVR and take the chance they may hear something before they got around to watching it. In the end, it was the viewers choice right?
Can you imagine if the NBA, PGA, or hell even the Super Bowl decided to air games based on the same principles the Grammys do… or many other shows for that matter? What if you heard the score to the end of your favorite teams game one or 2 hours before your delayed version ended even ended?
We live in a time, with social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, where you have access to up to the second updates. With people at the event or watching the live feed you can not, unless you live in a cave, escape the information.
In the end, social media did not “ruin” the Grammy Awards for me last night as I mainly tuned in for the performances anyway (Props to Gaga and the Michael Jackson tribute). Also, I did record it on my DVR and ended up fast forwarding through as many commercials as I could, so maybe my concern for the advertisers is mute… or at least as as it relates to me.
What is your opinion? Should television networks change their thinking when it comes to broadcasting live events like the Grammy Awards? Or am I just off my rocker?
Would love to have your comments below!
Until next time…
Doc
(PS: @cnnbrk you annoy me. please only use that account for “Breaking News”. If you must, use an entertainment account on twitter for these types of updates. You are losing trust as far as I am concerned with that account… break it up a bit. @CNNSports @CNNEnt or in this case @CNNSpoilers. I have invited you into my mobile phone for SMS updates… do not abuse it! Besides, every time I get an SMS from you, all I can think about is Wolf Blitzer saying “Please Stand By”… too bad I can not associate a ring tone of him saying that to the tweet SMS messages I get from you. Hehehe)
(PS2: Networks… get with the times as they are a changing! How about The Grammys LIVE actually LIVE everywhere next year?)
Okay, now I am really done… Doc
I don’t understand why ANY program is broadcast time delayed any longer. Just another glaring spotlight on the fact that people want to be able to watch what they want when they want. It’s one of the reasons DVRs, Hulu and iTunes are hugely popular – time shifting. I think eventually you’ll see everything going to on-demand with release dates. Right now the networks are just proving they’ve learned nothing at all from record companies and movie companies through the history of the DRM movement… they’re scared and fighting their own customers. In the meantime, those same people are SCREAMING at them exactly what they want and begging the networks to give it to them. It’s only a matter of time before they have to face reality and realize they either give it to them or the customer will find it elsewhere.
Hi Kim,
I think you hit it right on with the “Time Shifting” comment. The idea of on-demand with release dates is an interesting idea, however that still would not work with something live like the Grammy Awards.
I think the big shift will come when you see a major player or “star” take a series to the web only… I think by that point, the networks just may get what a bunch of idiots they have been?
The television industry today proves one thing… how NOT to listen to your consumers!
Thanks again for the comment!
Doc
I thought it was interesting that so many of the winners posted “acceptance speeches” via Twitter. If only they could keep their actual speeches to 140 characters! http://popculture2point0.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/thank-you-in-140-characters/
Hi Lauren,
Just saw your page. Indeed that is very interesting.
Thanks for stopping by and for the comment, much appreciated!
Doc