High-end consumers who devour modern design now have a new way to stay on top of trends and products.
“Concept Magazine,” which covers the contemporary design market, has launched a Web-based television network called Concept TV (myconcepttv.com). The Denver Post talked with Bobby Harris, president of the Miami-based company Concept Media, to find out more about the network.
How many people are watching Concept TV?
We have averaged about 30,000 unique viewers every month since October 2007. The magazine has 180,000 readers per quarter, so that readership helps to drive traffic to our site.
Why create a TV network devoted to Internet broadcasting?
I’ve been in the magazine business for five years, (so) I was able to see a transition take place in the way people receive information. The magazine business will always be there, but the Internet is a cheaper and almost free form of distribution.
If I wanted to do TV two years ago, I had to purchase local cable time on Comcast or AT&T, which is very expensive… But with the Internet, we can have the exact same show for very little expense. I pay for camera people, editors and hostess, and that’s it.
Who is the market for a design-only Web network?
The market is high-end consumers of modern design products and architectural design. It’s also for people within the trade, including designers and architects who are always looking to see what’s new. They like to see what the other guys are doing in New York, L.A. or France. The show allows viewers to hear architects talk and show a home through video instead of being forced to look at five or six pictures. You get to see six full minutes of video on any one project.
Talk about the response from your audience.
Viewers like the fact that they can see it and hear it. I love reading magazines, but I love online video as well. My iPod and iTouch allow me to look at videos every night. It may be a small screen, but it’s very personal. You can take it anywhere you go. I scan and watch videos while I’m at Starbucks, at my home, or at the airport. You can read a magazine, but you can’t hear it.
I had an architect call me last week. He loved the show and downloaded it to his iPod. From there, he was able to show a client a segment from the show on a particular product — a couch, in this instance. This technically is different and out of the norm.
What will this show offer that other television design shows or magazines do not?
But this show is for anyone who can’t get ahold of the magazine… (A network like) HGTV is primarily for a mass audience. Our network is more of a niche featuring high-end, luxury modern design from America, Germany, Italy, Spain, France and Germany.
Sheba R. Wheeler: 303-954-1283 or swheeler@denverpost.com.
