Scripps to Launch Interactive Home Design Site
This from PaidContent.org:
Scripps Networks pulled the curtain up on a new social network Monday, placing a bet that interior design enthusiasts who watch its HGTV cable network will want to form an online community. The site is called Rate My Room and it lets the TV audience connect online and discuss remodeling, budgets, and future projects. Viewers can write ratings and reviews, post to various forums, and upload photos of their remodeling projects. Scripps will also tap digital photos, news, and reviews from the site and repackage it for TV broadcasts such as the channelâs Design on a Dime series.
When it came to establishing its online community, Scripps turned to social network solutions company Neighborhood America. Looking for a possible trend in the making, Red Herring highlighted Scrippsâ decision to maintain control of the site, as opposed to seeking an outside content host like Brightcove or MySpace.
Here is what Red Herring says:
As part of a shift to retain control of content distribution and build advertising dollars, big media companies are seeking ways to market and keep people on their own web sites, according to Rachel Happe, research manager for the digital business economy at IDC.
âThe technology wasn’t available until recently, so in the early days it was a bit overwhelming for the media companies to build computer–and Internet-based infrastructures to offer the site themselves,” she said. “Traditional media companies are taking the Internet more seriously and investing more in technology to keep control of their content to guard against piracy.”
