BACK-TO-SCHOOL SURVEY

Data and tech company, Numerator, surveyed approximately 2,400 households for their 2022 Back-to-School Survey, “to understand parent sentiment, shopping plans, and inflation impact.” Parents preparing for in-person schooling are expected to increase their “cost-saving measures such as buying items on sale, reusing old supplies, and switching to cheaper brands.” Among the key findings … 89% expect inflation to impact their back-to-school shopping … consumers are starting their BTS shopping earlier this year … most shoppers will buy in-store from mass retailers. (GlobeNewswire: 7/27/22)

TRUST IN LOCAL NEWS

Building on the trust that people have in local news as a reliable source of information, the National Association of Broadcasters created a midterm election online toolkit. Included are “advice for hosting debates; resources for voter registration and finding the correct polling place; turning out the youth vote; and turnkey voter participation public-service announcements (PSAs) in English and Spanish (see image).” There is also information to help identify online misinformation and disinformation. Stations are also invited to expand the toolkit by sharing examples of their own educational efforts.  (NextTV: 8/8/22)

CROSS-PLATFORM MEASUREMENT

The Video Advertising Bureau (VAB) is looking to develop a “TV and cross-platform measurement panel in the U.S. similar to Nielsen’s with 40,000 or more households but available to the giant’s competitors.” These efforts are similar to those by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), and there are talks of the two joining forces. The addition of a household panel can help companies like VideoAmp, iSpot.tv, Comscore, and others compete with Nielsen by better estimating viewing across households without devices, while better estimating “who and how many people in each household are watching at any given time.” (Adage requires subscription: 8/9/22)

TV VIEWERSHIP INCREASE

First-half ad impressions were up 7.29 percent for the first half of 2022, according to an analysis of “new” programming (i.e. no reruns or syndication) provided by iSpot.TV. Live sports played a large role in the increase, accounting for 25.5% of TV ad impressions (up from 22.4% in 2021) “thanks to the Winter Olympics, NFL Playoffs and full NBA Playoffs.” Also noted was the importance of “Spanish language programming and the growing Hispanic market”; up 11% year over year with Telemundo, Univision and UniMás all increasing share. The report also identified the strength of news as well as key categories and brands. (TVTech: 8/5/22)

THE HISTORY OF THE CONEY DOG

In segments for Today All Day and the 3rd Hour, Al Roker learns the history behind Detroit’s chili, chopped onion, and mustard-topped delicacy that gets its name from the New York amusement park. Rooted in the heritage of Greek immigrants, he sits down with the third-generation owner of American Coney Island, the restaurant that’s been cranking out coney dogs for 105 years. (Today: 8/3/22)