BET and CMT are both networks centered around music. Albeit very different genres of music, most people would visit each website for the same thing- music videos, ringtones, etcetera. The websites are actually eerily similar in layout, but that is beside the point. As seems to be the trend with other networks though, both websites also prove to be a hub for social media.
Of corse, both sites offer links to blogs on their home pages, but that is expected at this point in my research. What I am more interested in is the fact that both networks have a link to a community page in their main tool bars. This brings up an interesting idea.
I have never really thought about a music network website being a community before, but I suppose that is actually exactly what it is. Where else are fans from all around the country going to discuss and share their favorite music? Local radio stations’ websites can provide a limited platform, but that would only provide a small perspective. Because networks like BET and CMT are centered around a specific genre of music and are accesable nationwide (and internationally in some cases,) their website is the perfect forum for discussion and music sharing.
In the community page on BET, viewers are allowed to upload a picture of themselves, and other viewers vote on the hottest male and female of the day. While this may seem silly to some, a lot of people might use this feature as a way to get themselves out there and be a part of the entertainment world. You also might not realize that, while for superficial reasons, this allows viewers nationwide to physically see the people they are communicating with, which helps strengthen the feeling of community.
Something that caught my eye on the CMT community page is something called “CMT One Country” where viewers nationwide can come together and volunteer. The volunteer projects range from making donations to charities to teaching kids how to swim. Anyone can search volunteer opportunities in their area to see what is available then share their stories on any of the social media provided. On the site, there is a link to groups on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and Flux. (Evidentially both CMT and BET have twitters that are advertised on their home pages, so why they didn’t come up in my first search remains a mystery.)
I think something as community driven as volunteering is just a testament to how strong a community can be on the internet. Whether it is centered on music, food, books, etc., online communities are definitely on the rise and becoming stronger. It is definitely to their advantage for BET and CMT to be so involved.
July 15, 2009 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: BET, CMT, community, music, Social Media, television, Twitter | Leave A Comment »
Earlier in the week, as I sat with my dad watching Sports Center, I told him how I was researching how ESPN used social media to connect with their viewers. “Good luck,” he told me. “ESPN is a man’s network- we don’t use all of that Twitter stuff.”
I was excited to tell my dad that he was absolutely wrong. ESPN has social media down pat. Their understanding of how to use the internet to their advantage definitely impressed me.
You might remember from my preliminary research that several ESPN shows had their own Twitter page, as well as many Facebook fanpages. While ESPN itself doesn’t have a profile, it is good that people from the individual shows want to be connected. It doesn’t end there, however.
I began my research, obviously, on the ESPN website. The first thing that caught my eye was a link to Bill Simmons’s podcast, “The BS Report,” on Sports Guy’s World. “OK,” I told myself, “Podcasts are good.” Besides this podcast updating regularly and providing episode summaries, I found something even more interesting. You can download a widget of the podcast right to your blog, Facebook profile, or dashboard! You can actually download a widget for EIGHT blogs, podcasts, and columns. This is such a good idea! What better way to ensure that people are keeping up to date on your publication than allowing them to put it exactly where they want it!
Simmons’s Podcast is not the only one featured on the ESPN website- they actually have a whole PodCenter! I immediately noticed that they have a Twitter icon for you to follow them, but this was not one of the accounts that came up when I searched ESPN. They might learn something from doing a little research in SEO! Anyway, the PodCenter has an impressive three pages of podcasts, all which discuss something a little different. Podcasts range from Nascar with “Jayski’s Podcast” to well known shows like “Mike and Mike.” You can also find links to a few videos on this page.
SportsNation is also an area of ESPN’s website that embraces social media. This pages, that is like a blog/chat room, features answers from players, writers, and fans to questions, as well as polls and links to numerous other blogs and websites. It is such a hybrid of social media at work that I am having trouble classifying it. It is definietly a huge connection between sports fans and ESPN.
So, as it turns out, ESPN makes a huge showing in the Social Media world. Contrary to my dad’s belief of it being a “man’s network,” ESPN knows how to harness the power of social media and allows sports fans world wide to connect with their favorite sports network.
July 7, 2009 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: blogs, ESPN, Facebook, podcasts, Sports Center, Twitter | 2 Comments »
