In a recent column in the Denver Post, TV critic Joanne Ostrow reports on a new way to describe an idea that has been kicking around for years. It came to light as she quoted NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus, "the Olympics have always been a glimpse into the future” in terms of media behavior and the way companies release material. What they’re finding is a “circle model,” in which digital consumption drives people back to TV which drives them to digital." Lazarus further explained,
"For instance, a huge percentage of people who watch live events on NBC Sports Network watch again on NBC in primetime to see the curated, packaged stories. Will the circle be unbroken? The many networks of NBC Universal would like to keep you in that loop.”
Is the "circle model of consumption" a limpse into the future of TV? Some say it is the present. But regaurless of what it si called, the real challenge is to make this model work with day to day TV, without a huge marquee event like the Olympics driving it.
