: tv-trend | Klapper Communications

December

30 2016

The most bizarre, extreme and innovative TV formats

Television channel distribution in 2017 will be challenged by all kind of streaming services that will deliver standard digital and satellite TV packages over the internet to phone, television, and tablet. This will not only revolutionise creativity (fusion of data analysis and creativity development) but also helps advertisers to get insights in what is working. Although OTT and digital will grow, OTT services like Netflix and Amazon probably will focus on the development of fiction. So traditional television still will be a significant factor for the development of non-fiction like reality, talk, gameshows, and creating reach for advertisers. A report of Strategy Analytics Digital Media Strategies (DMS) service – Top Ten Digital Media Predictions for 2017 – supports this. American brands will re-evaluate the importance of reach and will be selling television advertising based upon total audience ratings in 2017. So traditional television is and will be an important factor in creating reach by the development of new creative formats.

So in this blog I would like to look back in 2016 on the most extreme and innovative formats. One of the most remarkable formats was Resurrection Makeover made by Fiji TV. The programme revives a deceased person by use of high tech make-over techniques, so a dead loved person can be re-united with a family member. The format clip shows a wife – who lost her husband (died of cancer) – encountering a look-alike actor at the house door and singing the wife beloved song.

Another remarkable format shown on Sky 1 was Dogs might fly. The show deals with 12 dogs that were picked from dog care centers across the United Kingdom to undergo all sorts of challenges, from a puppetry performance to a drum lesson, a speedboat ride, a rock performance to a drum lesson. The best performing dogs were trained to fly a plane.

The National Geographic programme Mygration gave an innovative twist to the well-known survivor format. The series follow 20 elite men and women who try to survive a six week journey across the African plains, and trace the paths of the African wildlife.

The last worthwhile tv-format to mention, is Stars of Science. The format was initiated by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, an important innovation platform in the region. It is a Pan-Arab edutainment reality format that challenges 12 science and technology entrepreneurs to collaborate with industry leading mentors developing all sort of innovative products. At the end a jury supported by public voting decides upon the four winners of the challenge, who take a share in a $600.000 prize.

I wonder which extreme and innovative formats will appear in 2017.

Charles Vaneker
Senior Media and Research consultant

Posted by Klapper | 0 Comment | in : tv-trend, Dogs might fly, Mygration, Netflix, NL Ziet, Resurrection Makeover, Stars of Science, tv-format

October

10 2016

Societal trends and TV formats

“Sitting down is the greatest threat to health”

Eurobarometer research (2014) revealed that 25% of the Dutch and Danes spend over 8.5 hours a day sitting down. The Portuguese, Maltese, Slovenes, Romanians and Hungarians Dutch spend 2.5 hours or less a day sitting down. According to the Dutch lifestyle monitor (RIVM) teenagers sit down for over 10 hours a day. Lessons home, doing homework, playing on computers and using tablets contributed to this lifestyle. Sitting down is associated with an increased risk of obesity and early death, even among people who exercise regularly. Health experts advise to improve lifestyle by taking the stairs more often, bike or walk to school, contact your colleagues face-to-face instead of using mail or Whatsapp, set the alarm on your mobile to take a walk or walk through the house while calling a friend etc. An inspiring thought for a new reality show?

Not only a sedentary lifestyle is bad for health, working without any challenges contributes for a bad mental health. It is one of the reasons why many organisations are experimenting with swapping employees. Recently the Dutch Regiomatch – in which more than 20 organisations participate – started swapping jobs to stimulate productivity and creativity.

“Employees stay healthier when they swap work places”

Most employers believe swapping employees is bad for the loyalty to the organisation. The Regiomatch experiment shows that swapping simulates the organisation and the employees. The Dutch public transportation organisation GVB swaps security staff with apublic hospital VUmc. The exchanged staff is more productive, healthier and creative. So cooperation between HR departments can improve mental health. Earlier TV formats like Extreme Job Swap (Zodiak) and Beroepen zonder grenzen (Professions without frontiers) at Belgium channel Eén) focused on the differences between jobs but not on the health issues.

Another way to improve the physical health of employees is to change dietary patterns. So the Danish government supports the “Økologiplan” Denmark campaign with a €54 million.

“Organic agriculture is getting popular”

By 2020 the biological farmland must be doubled. The Danish dairy giant Arla welcomed the government’s plans: in 2015 Arla sold a record amount of organic daily products to the Danish public sector. By 2020 the biological farmland must be doubled. The Danish dairy giant Arla welcomed the government’s plans: in 2015 Arla sold a record amount of organic daily products to the Danish public sector. Will this be a good idea for a serious documentary?

Charles Vaneker

Senior Research and Media consultant

Posted by Klapper | 0 Comment | in : tv-trend, Beroepen zonder grenzen, Denmark, Extreme job swap, maatschappelijke trends, societal trends

May

10 2016

How to optimise the content of a branded YouTube channel?

Today we launch our new website (www.klappercom.nl) and our new research tool ReelRater™. The tool is developed in co-operation with technology provider ActiveReaction. The tool measures the moment-to-moment likeability of YouTube videos, TV commercials and programmes, radio programmes, promos and trailers. ReelRater™ is not an app, but it runs in any standard browser. Placing a link on your website or social media platform is sufficient to enable communities or access panels to rate your content. In this blog we like to show you how the tool can be used to optimise a branded YouTube channel.

Business case

We use a recent study to illustrate this: a YouTube channel of a premium Dutch brand. The channel predominantly distributes ‘how- to’ videos and instructional videos, of which two video formats are examined. The aim of this study was to assess the likeability of a ‘how-to’ video (duration 4:20 min.) and an instructional video (duration 3:30 min.). In addition, we aimed to assess the willingness of viewers to like the videos, comment on the videos (engagement) and subscribe to the channel (action). The sample consisted of high educated youngsters group aged 18-30, who used the ReelRater™ tool to rate the videos moment-to-moment (quantitative response) with their smartphone, tablet or laptop. Each individual viewer was asked to explain his/her highest and lowest scores (qualitative response) by means of open questions. Finally the viewers filled out a questionnaire.

Likeability of the videos

The graphs below show the moment-to-moment (MTM) likeability responses to the examined videos. The videos are rated by two different groups. The horizontal axis represents the elapsed time and the vertical axis represents the average likeability measured on a 10-100 scale.

The MTM scores of the instructional video (left) shows a rather zigzagged pattern. The scores decline in the first 40 seconds, indicating a high probability of viewers leaving the video and stop viewing. The decline is followed by a gradually rise in scores unto the second minute, where after the scores drop again. The main reasons why certain parts of the video score relatively low, is the mismatch between information supply and demand. Most of the information is already known and is rather obvious. Moreover, the cutting rhythm of the video is perceived as too slow.

The MTM scores of the ‘how-to’ video also fluctuate. The first 32 seconds of the video show a decline in scores, followed by a? rise. Scores between 0:56 minute and 1:20 minute again fluctuate, but rise from the 1:24 minute. The viewers were also asked to explain the low rated parts of the video. Viewers again ascertain a mismatch between viewers’ knowledge and informational content of the video. As with the instructional video the viewers’ point out that the cutting rhythm is too slow. Furthermore the voice-over doesn’t appeal the viewers.

Engagement and action

A frequent used method of determining the engagement of your audience with video is to look at how many times the video is liked or commented. Behavior is frequently measured by the number of people subscribing to a branded channel (see image below). For this reason we asked the viewers about their engagement and intention to subscribe to the channel.

It is striking that the intention to become a subscriber to the YouTube channel does not differ between viewers who see the instructional video and viewer who see the ‘how-to’ video. But viewers who see the ‘how-to’ video are more likely to comment upon the video than viewers who see the instructional video. There is only a small difference between the two groups of viewers when it comes to liking the video.

Conclusions

How can one optimise the videos (‘how-to’ video and the instructional video) based on the findings of this research?
First, the relevance of the content across the videos could be improved by providing more in-depth information. The intros of the videos can be mounted more exciting and faster. The viewer must indeed be tempted to watch out the entire video.
Second, the order in which the information is presented on the basis of the viewer’s evaluation of the various sequences can be improved. And also the cutting rhythm with which the information is presented, could be increased too. Finally adjustments can be made on the recording of the voice-over to make it more smooth, clear and enjoyable. The improvements of the videos will optimise the YouTube channel and will probably increase the video interaction.

If you have any questions or remarks, please click the comment button beneath this blog.

Charles Vaneker
Klapper Communications
Senior Media & Research Consultant
Twitter: CharlesVaneker

Posted by Klapper | 0 Comment | in : tv-trend, branded YouTube channel, online video, online video formats, Post-test, Pre-test, ReelRater

December

23 2015

Zelf je huis bouwen is ‘amazing’

Het dagelijkse lifestyle magazine BinnensteBuiten (NPO2) wordt ook weer in januari 2016 uitgezonden en uitgebreid met een weekendeditie met hoogtepunten van de week. Elke aflevering bestaat uit 3 onderdelen: een zelfgebouwd huis, een gezond recept en een groen onderdeel in de vorm van een natuurwandeling of een tuin make-over. Prachtig om te zien hoe mensen hun zelfgebouwde huis tonen aan de kijker, hoe mensen vertellen over bonen die ze kweken, en hoe een boswachter de natuur in detail laat zien. Allemaal verhalen vol van bezieling, passie en trots.

Huizenprogramma’s als tv-trend zijn begonnen met de make-over programma’s die er nog in grote aantallen zijn, gevolgd door ‘huizenjachten’, waarin makelaars mensen helpen te (ver)kopen, en de laatste jaren is er een dimensie bijgekomen: het zelf bouwen. Naast de KRO/NCRV met BinnensteBuiten valt op dat vooral SBS6 zelfbouwprogramma’s uitzendt, zoals Je eigen droomhuis waarin het proces wordt gevolgd.

Engeland heeft al jarenlang zelfbouwprogramma’s. C4 zendt al 15 jaar lang Grand designs uit. Het programma is wereldwijd verkocht en is in Nederland te zien als De grote verbouwing (SBS6). Hierin gaat het om grote bouwprojecten waarin bewoners zelf hun architectonisch verantwoord huis bouwen waarin het gaat om stijl en design. Een tegenovergestelde vorm van zelfbouw is te zien in het andere C4 programma’s Amazing Spaces (sinds 2007). Hierin volgt presentator George Clarke mensen die een gebouw of iets geheel anders zoals een oude touringcar ombouwen tot een eigen woning. Het gaat hier juist om kleine ruimtes die zo efficiënt mogelijk worden verbouwd. Net als de bijzondere ruimtes zijn de verhalen ook ‘amazing’.

In de VS zendt HGTV al 15 jaar Extreme homes uit. Hierin worden bijzondere woningen over heel de wereld getoond aan de kijker, zoals ook een Nederlandse woonboot. Nu is de Tiny House Movement in opkomst daar, voor mensen die zich minder willen binden en/of willen minimaliseren. Sinds 2014 worden in Tiny House Nation en Tiny House Hunting (beide te zien op FYI) mensen geholpen kleiner te gaan wonen of een tiny house als vakantiewoning willen hebben. Het expert team van bouwers maakt hun droom waar.

De droom, de initiatieven, het eigen ontwerp, de natuurlijke materialen en de beeldende verhalen maken dit soort huizenprogramma’s boeiend. De programma’s sluiten aan bij de huidige trends als ambachtelijk, energieneutraal en hergebruik. Daarnaast sluit de snelle/kleine woningbouw aan bij maatschappelijke ontwikkelingen, nodig voor starters, vluchtende mensen uit oorlogsgebieden, en de oudere medemens die langer voor zichzelf moet zien te zorgen. Van ons mogen er in 2016 nog veel voorbeelden volgen op televisie.

Agnes Dijker
Charles Vaneker

Videoclips bij deze blog

Posted by Klapper | 1 Comment | in : tv-trend, Amazing spaces, Binnenstebuiten, Channel 4, design, FYI, Grand Designs, HGTV, huis, Je eigen droomhuis, NTR, Tiny House Hunting, Tiny House Nation, zelfbouw

January

06 2015

Tv-trend: ‘dating experiments’ popular in 2014 get sequel in 2015

(Videoclips to this blog )
In 2014 dating shows were once again a tv-trend and probably that will also be the case in 2015. Last year many networks aired so called social experiment dating shows. This development was probably caused by the rise of popular dating sites that link people based on all kinds of computer algorithms. Where the traditional dating shows start by getting to know each other and end up with kissing, sex and marriage, the social experimental dating shows reverse this. Most of the new formats start e.g. with kissing, naked bodies, scientific matches or marriage, and end up with knowing each other. An important question to be answered for the dating shows: is a first impression or computer match a correct predictor of a good relationship?

First the match
MTV format Are you the one? (USA, Jan.2014) added many new elements to the traditional dating format. The candidates have to ascertain whether their own choice for a partner corresponds to that of the computer. The most exciting part is that during every episode the candidates have to predict whether their own choice matches the computer’s choice. The only information candidates get is the number of correct matches but not with whom. Furthermore, it appears to be difficult to figure out which candidate matches, because sometimes various candidates fit the same profile.
In Love Prison (USA, A&E, Sept.2014) online matched couples have to find out whether there is a match in real life. After staying together on an island for a week the couples decide to break up or stay together.

First the kiss
In Love at first kiss (Netherlands, NPO3, Oct.2014) the social experience of a first kiss determines whether there will be a sequel in the form of a speed date. At the start of the program the persons approach each other, start kissing and make independent from each other the decision for a follow-up meeting. If both candidates agree to meet again, one of them enters a room where the other candidate is waiting. It’s an thrilling moment whether the door will open or not. If this is the case the candidates get 2 minutes to talk and decide to date. The kiss moments usually last an eternity and puts the viewer to the test: mostly makes the viewer feel a bit awkward.

First marry or engage
Married at first sight (Denmark DR3 2013) is another version of a social experiment dating show. First a team of experts match 6 single people who marry total strangers. After 6 weeks of marriage they decide to stay or separate. This show has a double-barreled option: a match plus wedding before getting acquainted. The series in Denmark was so successful that the channel management decided to move next series to main channel DR1.
In 2014 the format was picked up in different territories, like in the USA by channel FYI. In the Netherlands RTL4 wanted to air the dating show, but competing channel Net5 aired a rip-off with a twist called Het geheim van een goed huwelijk (The secret of a good marriage, Sept.2014). The added element consisted of a comparison between the experimental group (of the program) and a regular married group concerning the duration of the relationship. After just 6 episodes the program was taken of air because of the disappointing ratings.
A comparable format at American channel TLC titled 90 Days fiancé (May, 2014) added a time pressure element. This international dating experiment follows couples with a partner from abroad, who have to decide to marry before their 90 days visa expires. They have to overcome language barriers, learn to cope with friends and family and finally have to decide to marry or send the fiancé home.

First meet naked
In Adam zkt Eva (Adam looking for Eva, Netherlands, RTL5, March 2014) already matched couples for a date meet each other naked at a deserted island disconnected to the outside world. If the couples feel attracted to each other at the first confrontation they depart to a tropic resort. As in American format Dating Naked (USA, VH1, July 2014) two naked persons meet at an island but they are also confronted with other possible dates. At the end of week the candidates choose their favorite person to go home with. The naked dating concepts perform well on television, both programs will return in a second season. The series will also debut with the title Adam sucht Eva-Gestrandet im Paradies at the German channel RTL-Television in 2015.

Interactive dating show
Dutch channel SBS6 also launched a social experiment dating show in 2014 called Is this Love?. This dating format isn’t structured the other way around like the formats mentioned above. Is this Love is an interactive dating show in which singles (living in a villa and followed 24/7 at live streams) are dating online in a sort of ‘The great Dutch date-off’. The program was cancelled because of lack of interest. Probably this dating show wasn’t surprising enough.

One can conclude that ‘dating with a twist’ will stay popular in 2015. The American channel Bravo already announced the launch of the format Friend to lovers about people dating their best friends: will the relationship survive? So keep up with this trend in 2015!
(Videoclips to this blog )

Agnes Dijker
Charles Vaneker

Posted by Klapper | 0 Comment | in : tv-trend, Adam zkt. Eva, Are you the one?, blog, Dating naked, dating show, Friends to lovers, Is this love?, KlapperCom, Love at first kiss, Love prison, Married at first sight, social experiment

October

24 2012

Voeding ontrafeld op TV

Wekelijks op maandag prime time is op Channel4 de Britse versie van het Nederlandse Keuringsdienst van Waarde (NTR) te zien, als Food Unwrapped. In Nederland loopt KvW sinds 2004 en nu dus in 2012 gestart in Groot-Brittannië. Food Unwrapped bevat minder telefoongesprekken en daarmee ook minder subtiele humor. De Britten pakken het serieuzer en wat strenger aan en de presentatoren (een team van 4) bezoeken meer fabrieken waar ze een kijkje krijgen in het voedselproductieproces, maar de conclusies zijn dezelfde. In het Nederlandse KvW wordt ook gepraat met marketeers uit de voedingsindustrie en worden testjes gedaan, wat het programma afwisselender maakt.

In ons boek ‘Naar een origineel idee van’ staat KvW genoemd bij de tv-trend ‘terug naar de authenticiteit’ als onderdeel van Koken op televisie. Sinds 2004 zijn de tv-makers nieuwsgierig geworden naar de herkomst van ons voedsel, hoe het wordt gemaakt en wat er precies in zit.

Eerder in Groot-Brittannië (2007-2009) zond BBC1 de documentaireserie uit What’s really in our food? en gaf Jimmy Doherty de kijker al uitleg over voedingsmarketing strategieën in Supermarket secrets(2010) op BBC2. De Engelsen keken ook wat bepaalde voeding doet met je lichaam in de vorm van menselijke testjes in The truth about food (BBC2). En op dit moment is op Channel4 de 2^eserie te zien van Food Hospital(jaar) waarin kandidaten met een lichamelijke kwaal, zoals eczeem of hoge bloeddruk, voedingsadviezen krijgen met het idee van ‘using food as medicine’.

In de VS hebben ze onderwerpen over nutrition science of voedingswetenschap geïntegreerd in ‘health shows’ zoals de Dr.Oz show (Discovery) en The Doctors op de lokale zenders van CBS. Beide shows worden uitgezonden sinds 2009 en zijn stand-alone shows geworden nadat ze eerst onderdeel uitmaakte van daytime talkshows, resp. in de Oprah Winfrey show en Dr.Phil.

In zowel de Dr.Oz show en The Doctors komen allerlei medische kwesties aan de orde, en kenmerkend is dat doktoren in blauwe of witte jassen op een vrolijke manier uitleg geven over gezondheid en voeding en vragen beantwoorden in de studio voor live publiek. Lichaam en voeding worden in een informele sfeer en op een toegankelijke manier benaderd. De shows worden alleen wel gesponsored.

In Nederland heeft eind augustus 2012 SBS6 het initiatief genomen om allerlei vragen over het menselijk lichaam op een toegankelijke manier te brengen in de celebrity quiz show De lijf show, gepresenteerd door Marc Klein Essink, waarin ook het studiopubliek participeert door de vragen te beantwoorden voor punten voor de 2 celebrity koppels. Ook in een entertainment setting kun je als kijker iets te weten komen over je gezondheid.

Agnes Dijker

Posted by Klapper | 0 Comment | in : tv-trend, De lijf show, Dr. Oz show, food, Food hospital, Food unwrapped, KvW, sponsoring, tv-format, voeding

June

28 2012

Neighbours in OWN community reality format

Oprah Winfrey’s Network OWN transmits from January the new community reality program Million Dollar Neighbourhood (produced by Force Four Entertainment for the Canadian arm of OWN). The program is a social experiment in which 100 families in a neighbourhood of small village Aldergrove take the challenge to save money together over 10 weeks to a total sum of $1 million. Each family followed by camera has its own financial problems and get unique tasks to fulfil, but there also are collective challenges like a collective garage sale. During the series viewers get useful insights by participants and financial experts, about the cost of storage of forgotten stuff, tips to save more money for hard times and tips to break the cycle of debts.

It’s not the first community reality format related to a collective financial activity. Previously in 2008 Flemish broadcaster aired the energy saving format Onder Hoogspanning XL (High Voltage XL). The purpose of the program was to let villagers replace ordinary bulbs by energy efficient light bulbs. At the end of the program, the old lamps were transformed into a work of art.

The community tv-trend shows 2 themes: ‘loosing weight together’ and ‘neighbours together’ to strive for quality of life in the neighbourhood.

Loosing weight together in community reality formats:

*in the

USA

The Biggest Loser: Special Edition (spin-off The Biggest Loser NBC in 2004) a team of obese people competing against another team, living on a ranch working with coaches. In The biggest loser the one who looses the most (weight) is the winner

*in Switzerland SF1 started the docu-soap Ein Dorf speckt ab (A village is loosing weight) in 2007 in which citizens of small village Eglisau were trying to loose weight

*in the German local version Jedes Kilo zählt-Ein Insel speckt ab (An isle is loosing weight) in 2008 (KabelEins) 1% of the citizens of the isle Langeoog took the opportunity to loose weight order to pursue collective weight loss

*in Holland expert Dr. Frank van Berkum (also participant in SBS6’s De Afvallers (weight losers) XXL) started in 2010 a community campaign in daily newspaper De Telegraaf De grootste Afvalrace ooit (The greatest weight loser ever) with the target to loose weight together: 1 million kg by 100.000 participants.

Neighbours together in community reality formats:

*the UK started in 2000 with Charlie’s garden army (BBC2 later BBC1) in which female gardener Charlie Dimmock together with local volunteers transformed community land to public gardens

*in Holland also public places were transformed to vegetable garden in tv-program Llink in natura (2009) of former pubcaster Llink

*Dutch pubcaster NCRV aired Beste buurtplan (2008) in which 35 ambassadors of a neighbourhood competed (by weekly challenges with local people) to win a cash prize of 25.000 Euro to start up a public activity in their own community

*in the

USA

(since 2008) the negative title The ugliest house on the block (WE) meant a positive activity of a community to renovate a house and garden in their street to upgrade their neighbourhood.

Probably community formats will increase on television now the social trend is to set up local communities to get through an economic crisis.

Posted by Klapper | 0 Comment | in : tv-trend, community reality format, tv-format