www.spotsndots.com Subscriptions: $350 per year. This publication cannot be distributed beyond the office of the actual subscriber. Need us? 888-884-2630 or [email protected] The Daily News of TV Sales Thursday, March 9, 2017 Copyright 2017. CONSUMERS LESS WILLING TO PAY FOR TV TIVO STUDY FINDS LESS NFL VIEWING ADVERTISER NEWS Price is again the main reason for cord-cutting in the Q4 Yet another apparel retailer is going out of business: 2016 Video Trends Report from TiVo. 80% of people who’d Fargo-based Vanity Shop, with 137 stores in 27 states, canceled their pay-TV service in the past 12 months cited has already started to liquidate all stores. The COO of the “too expensive” as the reason. group conducting the liquidation commented the decision But a surprising finding in the report is what survey to close all stores is “emblematic of the pressures facing respondents are now willing to pay for a “skinny bundle” mall-based specialty apparel retailers in the wake of ever- of their 20 favorite channels. U.S. respondents said they increasing competition from big-box ‘fast-fashion’ chains would pay an average of $28.87 per month—a and e-commerce sites.” And there’s more huge drop of 12.3% from the monthly charge ominous news--The New York Post reports of $32.92 that they were willing to pay in the Gander Mountain could file for bankruptcy Q4 2015 survey. “With so many video content protection this month, and Payless Shoes options now available to consumers, is could also be filing in April……A different linear TV’s value dwindling due to increasing apparel retail warned of sales and profit choices?” the TiVo analysts asked. shortfalls: Express comps were down 13% due People without a pay-TV subscription now to “challenging mall traffic and a promotional account for 17% of the survey participants. retail environment”……Despite Of course, that means that 83% still pay for Mattress MVPD service. Of the people who dropped Firm no longer selling its products, Tempur their service in the previous 12 month, 48.3% Sealy said it had a very good Presidents Day said they use an Internet streaming service— weekend and sales to retailers other than such as Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Video— Mattress Firm are up 10% so far this year…… and 18.5% said they like to use a streaming Michaels quarterly numbers reflected many service to binge-watch and entire season of a TV series. of the same trends retailers in other segments have been Only 11% said the bulk of their TV viewing was of original seeing: same-store sales down 1%, total transactions series on their streaming service, such as “Orange is the down, and a small increase in the average sale. But total New Black” or “House of Cards.” sales were up (partly due to an acquisition early last year) The (sort of) good news for broadcasters is that 27.2% and profit was up 6.3%......Even convenience stores report of the recent cord-cutters said they use an antenna to get customer traffic declines—Casey’s General Stores noted basic channels on their TV. ABC, CBS and NBC continue that in its quarterly report, even though it attained same- to be among the top-five “must have” channels that store merchandise sales of plus 3%. The growth engine for respondents would want in an a la carte pay-TV package, c-stores has been “prepared food & fountain” and Casey’s joined again by Discovery Channel and History. All were recorded same-store growth of 5.8% in that department...... cited by over 50% of survey respondents. But, as noted Dick’s plans to drop about 20% of its vendors in favor above, respondents have lowered the price they’d be of expanding private labels in apparel and sports gear, willing to pay for that a la carte package. introducing some new in-house brands later this year. It 84.7% of people surveyed still watch live TV on a daily expects to open 43 new Dick’s stores, nine Golf Galaxy basis. Many, however, are also watching OTT/streamed locations and eight Field & Stream units this year… Famous video on a daily basis—64.7%, which is up by 3.6 Dave’s says it could close more units this year, after already percentage points from the previous quarter. having closed two since January. The chain currently Noting lower ratings for the 2016-2017 NFL season, consists of 35 company-owned stores and 123 franchised TiVo’s survey found that 18.2% of respondents were locations… (Continued on page 3) watching fewer NFL games than they did one year ago. What prompted this decline? While the top three answers were no surprise (36.1% - my schedule is busier this year; 25.9% - games are not as exciting this season; 21.3% - too many commercials), 23.0% answered “other.” Of the “other” responses, 46.5% wrote that they changed their NFL game viewing habits because of political issues such as kneeling during the national anthem. NETWORK NEWS AVAILS ABC has announced that Fred Savage will host an WSVN-7 FOX/Miami-Ft. Lauderdale is looking for a upcoming game show on the network called Child Support, dynamic individual for an Account Executive position. starring Ricky Gervais. In the hour-long show, contestants Need to have the ability to thrive in a fast paced, will be asked to answer 10 questions correctly to win. If they competitive, multi-media environment. We are looking for answer one incorrectly, they can be saved by a panel of a creative person to generate revenue by prospecting and 10 children ages six to nine, who will be asked the same selling for television and a variety of digital opportunities. question by Gervais. Both Gervais and Savage will serve Responsible for attracting new clients, proposal as executive producers on the project……Cristela Alonzo preparation and presentations as well as maximizing (Cristela) has been cast opposite Jason Ritter in the new revenue on existing account list. Please send resume to ABC drama pilot The Gospel of Kevin. This is the first Kim Witker at [email protected]. EOE. pilot for Alonzo since her 2014 sitcom WLBT, the Raycom-owned NBC and on ABC. She appears regularly on Bounce affiliate in Jackson, MS has a Conan and The View, and is featured rare opportunity for a dynamic General on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham I don’t homeschool my kids Sales Manager. Candidates should and Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand cause the only historic battle have experience coaching, training and Up Revolution……Cody Bell (Burn I know is the one between leading team members to consistently Notice) will star in the untitled Marvel Biggie and Tupac. grow market share and new revenue action-adventure pilot at Fox. He will join streams. Three years television sales a cast that includes Stephen Moyer and management experience preferred; Amy Acker. Bell will play a weathered @Onefunnymummy college degree preferred. This is an man who quietly wrestles with the excellent opportunity to work for a moral ambiguities of a job that regularly great station and company. Please requires cold-blooded, calculating efficiency on a day-to- apply online by CLICKING HERE and send a cover letter, day basis……The CW’s freshman series Riverdale has resume and references. No calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V picked up a season two renewal just six weeks into its first ABC6 in Providence, Rhode Island is looking for a season. The Archie Comics drama has excelled in delayed sales professional with sales experience to join this and digital viewing, particularly in the younger demos. The growing ABC affiliate as an Account Executive. We need decision to renew reflects the CW management’s faith an enthusiastic, accountable individual to work with local in the creative strength of the show, and another vote of and regional clients– at the agency and local levels. confidence for producer Greg Berlanti……Dallas Roberts This position is a great opportunity for someone looking (The Good Wife) has been cast in the lead of the new CW for a move into a top 60 market. Please send resume to drama pilot Insatiable. Roberts will play Bob, a handsome, [email protected]. No calls please. EOE. immaculately dressed married father of two teenagers. HOI-ABC in Peoria, Illinois seeks a dynamic Locals Sarah Colonna has been cast in the project playing a Sales Manager. Are you ready to lead an aggressive sexy, alcoholic single mom of a teenager played by Debbie team instead of generating reports and spreadsheets? Are Ryan……The new ABC comedic one-hour pilot The Trustee you ready to work with broadcasters who has cast Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black) opposite respect the station as more than an ATM? Meghan Rath. Cox was most recently on the CBS prime Are you ready to coach a team to make drama Doubt which was pulled by the network after two recommendations based on client needs airings……. Alan Dale (The O.C., Lost, 24, Ugly Betty) has rather than Wall Street dictates? If these been added to the cast of CW’s Dynasty reboot. Dale will ideas appeal to you, we’re ready to talk to you! Send your play the role of the butler, Anders. The network previously cover letter, resume and references to: Pete Russell, GSM: announced that Grant Show (Melrose Place) will join the [email protected]. EOE. cast as Blake Carrington……Fox’s reboot of the 2001 war NCC Media in New York seeks an Automotive movie Behind Enemy Lines has added Nestor Carbonell Marketing Associate.