Traditional media making a comeback?

In the digital era, it is most likely that many people are less exposed to traditional media channels, such as the TV, radio, newspaper, or magazine. This is because social media and the online world are already meeting their lifestyle demands. Therefore, traditional media are asking this question: “Is traditional media becoming extinct?”

However, if we look at the costs of advertisements as reported by Nielsen Thailand in March 2018, it stated that Thailand sees up to 3.7-billion-baht worth of bought advertisements on traditional media channels. This shows that traditional media is still influential and important to businesses.

On the other hand, online media are starting to become increasingly powerful. Did you know that Thais use the Internet at least 4 to 7 hours daily? This in turn leads to digital lifestyle behaviors where wherever you go or whatever you do you choose to book activities through websites or order products mainly through online channels.

The change in which the digital world is becoming increasingly prominent can be seen through simple behaviors such as watching live streaming of your favorite TV shows through YouTube, Netflix, or Line TV instead of through the TV channels itself. Additionally, if you want to listen to music, you no longer have to sit through scores of commercials when listening to the radio you can now opt for music applications such as Joox or Spotify. Instead of flipping through newspapers, it is now easier and more convenient to read the news on Facebook newsfeed or Twitter.

This change in behavior of smartphone screen addiction and significant increase usage of the Internet has lead to the Thailand 4.0 trend. But did you know that traditional media is making a comeback? What are the reasons that make TDPK so sure?

For a better image of the situation, take this example by TDPK. In emphasis of the traditional media is making a comeback trend, as #BuppaySunnivasFever, a period romantic comedy soap opera, has made Thais watching the TV again. Part of the reason may be that Thais don’t want to see spoilers on social media, so they look forward to watching each episode real time.

From this situation, TDPK would like to look back to a quote by Bill Gates in 1996 “content is king.” This remains true and creating quality content that satisfies the viewers will attract people back to TV as well as other traditional media channels once again.

Traditional media channels have not disappeared from Thai society, however, with the emergence of new media channels, it is time to see which traditional media is the strongest of the pack and is able to successfully integrate new digital technologies into their content. How about you? Do you think traditional media will make a return?

This article was first published on True Digital Park Facebook Page.