What is Narrowcasting?

Narrowcasting is a growing communications medium used to transfer information through controlled and connected digital displays – a private TV channel. In contrast to broadcasting, narrowcasting is used to effectively target specific groups of people at certain locations and times with tailored information and entertainment.

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• How Are Industries Using Narrowcasting?

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  • Narrowcasting is everywhere. It’s found in shops, hospitals, offices, airports, gyms, schools, finance and anywhere else information and media needs to be communicated or people can be entertained. The huge growth of the narrowcasting industry is being fueled by rapid technological developments, resulting in lower costs, easier to use plug-and-play hardware and software, and faster, more-widespread broadband internet. This has made it more accessible and attractive to different types and sizes of businesses to achieve objectives and turn any space into a modern, innovative environment.

What is a Narrowcasting Display?

A narrowcasting display is a screen that's used to show information and media to a targeted audience. There’s a variety of types, sizes and sophistication available to fit the purpose of any narrowcasting solution. Unlike consumer TVs, they have been specifically built for the demands of commercial use.

Why is it better to use a commercial display over a consumer TV?

There's a big difference between the commercial displays you see in public and the consumer TVs we have in our homes. Narrowcasting uses commercial displays because they have been specially built with extra functionality and to survive heavy demands and testing environments. Every year the displays become more powerful, durable, thinner, lighter, versatile and energy efficient. Commercial displays save you money while optimising the impact of your content through their greater performance.

What’s the difference between indoor and outdoor displays?

Outdoor displays has been custom-built to deal with the different demands and issues that putting them outdoors poses upon them. They have even brighter screens, internal and external protection against all weather conditions, different connectivity options and more robust security physically and against hackers.

What is a narrowcasting media player?

A narrowcasting media player (also “narrowcasting player”) is a physical device that connects to a narrowcasting display and a computer network. It receives media files from a narrowcasting software server, processes them and then relays them onto the display.

What types of narrowcasting media players are there?

The four options for a narrowcasting media player are to use a system on chip display, PC, Android-based media player or Chromebit. Each type uses a different operating system and has various benefits and drawbacks, so the best fit for each narrowcasting solution will vary.

How do narrowcasting players vary?

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• Software Compatibility

• Processing Power

• Operating System

• Connectivity & Remote Control

• Storage

• Size

• Durability

• Multi-Screen Capabilities

What is narrowcasting content?

The content of narrowcasting is simply the forms of media shown on the displays, but there’s a wide range of content creation and management options. All users have unique objectives, locations and audiences, so all content is unique too.

What are the options for sourcing narrowcasting content?

You have three main options for sourcing narrowcasting content: creating your own, third-party advertising and news and entertainment. All of these sources will be made available to you and easy to implement when you use a SaaS narrowcasting company. Your narrowcasting will be able to use and schedule all three.

What is narrowcasting software?

The software involved in narrowcasting is related to controlling your content. A content management system will take care of the content at all stages, from creation to media player playback, making it easy to organise and adjust your content at all times from a single platform.The best narrowcasting software will come as part of a service from a narrowcasting company and is known as a ‘Content Management System’ (CMS). This keeps it simple to use narrowcasting and makes your content effective.

Why is it important to use CMS software?

A ‘Content Management System’ platform allows its usersto add and remove content from databases, manage media players,create playlists and schedulesand send content to media playersin a quick, simple and effective manner.

By using a CMS, you'll get lower costs, easier usability and access to more features, including:

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• Creation Templates: Supplies content templates that can be customized to match your specific industry and objectives.

• Remote management: Makes changes without needing to manually access them.

• Network monitoring: Checks the network status of all your devices to quickly report any downtime and fix issues.

• User Control: Allows different levels of accessibility and power to different users.

• Scalability: Gives freedom to expand with more displays and content, as it all can be controlled from one platform.

How is narrowcasting installed?

Your narrowcasting solution will have two types of hardware devices: displays and media players. These devices will be installed in various spots across your location (or locations). There's lots of options for how and where to install these devices, but there's also plenty of limitations too. A thorough examination should be conducted early, so your solution's dynamics, hardware and scale can be designed around what your space allows. And all of this needs to be done with your chosen objectives in mind.

What are some common challenges that affect narrowcasting installation?

There are five key challenges for the placement of your displays, but all of which can be worked around with the help of a narrowcasting specialist.

What is a narrowcasting solution?

A narrowcasting solution is a network of processes, content, hardware devices and software connected to bring the digital world to offline spaces. The tangible elements include media players and displays, while the intangible can include objectives and content schedules. A solution brings them into unison to create the best results.

How do you ensure your narrowcasting solution is effective?

You need to plan a solution's implementation with a step-by-step strategy:

• 1. Set measurable objectives
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• 2. Define your target audience
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• 3. Create engaging content
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• 4. Plan locations and installation
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• 5. Design a content schedule
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• 6. Choose supportive hardware
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• 7. Review your solution's success

Can one company take care of all your narrowcasting needs?