Category: TV Technology

Media Control Back in the Spotlight: What the Paramount Hostile Bid Reveals About the Rising Value of TV Platforms

The media world is undergoing one of its most consequential shifts in decades, and nothing illustrates that better than the recent hostile bid by Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. At first glance, the bid appears to be about content libraries, blockbuster franchises, and owning more streaming capacity. But beneath the surface lies a deeper truth shaping the entire industry:

In an era where content is everywhere, the real power lies in owning distribution and controlling the message.

As legacy media firms engage in multibillion-dollar fights for scale, a quieter but equally significant shift is happening across retail, healthcare, hospitality, and public venues. Businesses are realizing that controlling the messaging on the screens inside their own spaces—screens their customers see every day—is becoming a powerful strategic asset. And investors are increasingly turning their attention toward companies that enable these environments.

The Paramount Hostile Bid: A Battle Over Attention and Influence

When Paramount Skydance made its unsolicited offer to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, analysts quickly noted that the value of the deal extends beyond owning movies, series, and networks. Paramount’s leadership highlighted that their bid offered a “more certain and quicker path to completion,” while industry observers saw something more: a move to consolidate power over how and where media reaches audiences.

The consolidation underscores a shift occurring at the highest levels of media strategy: control over distribution channels is becoming just as important—if not more important—than the content itself.

Yet, even as media giants merge to control broadcast networks, streaming platforms, and cable channels, one area is growing almost entirely outside the traditional media ecosystem: privately controlled, branded TV networks inside real-world businesses. And platforms like It’s Relevant TV are quietly enabling this transformation.

The Rise of Real-World Message Control

Businesses today face a unique challenge. Customers are inundated with messages from every direction—social media, online ads, streaming platforms, and public signage. But the moment a customer steps inside a business’s physical space, the business has a rare advantage: it can control the environment and the messaging without letting in the outside noise.

This is where It’s Relevant TV has become an invaluable resource. Unlike ad-supported TV and digital signage tools, It’s Relevant TV allows businesses to deploy:

  • fully branded, white-labeled TV networks
  • custom programming curated from an enormous content library
  • their own internal messaging, promotions, and educational content
  • non-repetitive, non-looping content that keeps viewers engaged

The result is a controlled media environment that reflects the brand, informs the customer, and enhances the experience—all without selling a single outside advertisement. To the viewer, these networks look entirely like the business’s own private channel.

White-Labeled Networks: An Invisible but Powerful Media Layer

One of the most compelling aspects of It’s Relevant TV is how businesses routinely use it to power retail and in-location TV networks that appear to be built in-house. Many shoppers today don’t realize that the branded channels playing inside the stores they visit—the channels featuring custom content, promotions, and entertainment—are actually powered by It’s Relevant TV behind the scenes.

In a media environment increasingly concerned with authenticity, brand control, and customer experience, this model delivers something traditional networks cannot: complete ownership of the message from start to finish.

Instead of inserting third-party ads or competing commercial content, It’s Relevant TV ensures the message on the screen belongs entirely to the business. It gives organizations the ability to:

  • Showcase their brand identity consistently
  • Educate and inform customers about offerings
  • Reduce perceived wait times in service environments
  • Build customer loyalty and trust
  • Eliminate noise and distraction from outside advertisers

For companies with dozens or even thousands of locations, this becomes a powerful, scalable media distribution channel—one that investors increasingly view as a valuable asset.

Why Investors Are Paying Attention to Message-Control Platforms

Traditional media companies face challenges that It’s Relevant TV’s model sidesteps entirely: expensive content production, volatility in advertising markets, licensing battles, regulatory scrutiny, and increasing competition from streaming giants. Meanwhile, real-world media networks—especially those controlled directly by businesses—offer:

  • Stable, predictable engagement
  • Scalable distribution without massive content costs
  • Consistent viewer attention in captive environments
  • Stronger brand alignment and loyalty
  • No dependence on third-party advertisers

This is why private, controlled networks are becoming more attractive to investors. They represent a future where businesses don’t have to share attention, interrupt their message with unrelated advertising, or rely on outside media companies to shape the customer experience.

In essence, It’s Relevant TV is enabling businesses to become their own media companies—without the complexity or cost of building a network from scratch.

How Industry Consolidation Benefits It’s Relevant TV

As large media giants merge and shrink in number, businesses seeking control of their in-store messaging increasingly turn to alternatives outside the traditional media ecosystem. It’s Relevant TV offers exactly what those businesses need: a platform that gives them ownership of their message without inserting third-party commercial interests.

While Paramount, Netflix, and other media giants chase billions of dollars in content and distribution consolidation, the real growth story may lie elsewhere—in the expansion of private media networks owned by businesses themselves and powered quietly by It’s Relevant TV.

This shift is accelerating, and investors are beginning to recognize the value of companies that:

  • Enable brand-controlled messaging across thousands of screens
  • Operate outside the risks of advertising-driven revenue models
  • Provide infrastructure powering hundreds of white-labeled networks
  • Scale through distribution rather than expensive content production

The Future of Media Will Be More Distributed—and More Private

While the big players fight for dominance in streaming and cable, the rise of private messaging networks inside businesses represents a quieter revolution. The future of media control will not belong only to massive studios or global streamers—but also to the retailers, hospitals, gyms, restaurants, and service providers building their own in-location media channels.

And many of those networks, whether the public realizes it or not, will be powered by It’s Relevant TV.

How Sora 2 Lets Small Budgets Create Big-Budget Videos — And Distribute Them on Your Own TVs

Sora 2, OpenAI’s next-generation video generator, makes cinematic video creation faster and more affordable for businesses. Pair it with It’s Relevant TV to broadcast your content on the screens inside your locations—retail floors, waiting rooms, lobbies, gyms, auto showrooms, and more.

Why This Matters Now

Video drives attention, recall, and conversions—but traditional production (crew, sets, VFX, sound) is expensive. Sora 2 compresses that process into prompt-driven creation so you can test, iterate, and publish polished clips quickly. With It’s Relevant TV powering your in-business TVs, those videos show up exactly where your customers are already looking.

What Is Sora 2?

Sora 2 is an advanced AI model for generating short, visually rich videos from text and reference inputs. It emphasizes realism, synchronized audio, and improved scene control—perfect for promos, announcements, product showcases, and brand stories.

Feature Why It Helps Small Budgets
Synchronized audio + video Reduces the need for separate voiceovers, sound design, and foley.
Improved realism & motion Avoids the “cheap CGI” look; more cinematic with less post-production.
Better steerability Direct camera moves, pacing, scene structure from the prompt.
Rapid iteration Test multiple concepts in hours, not weeks—then refine what works.

How Sora 2 Lowers Production Costs

  • Fewer line items: Replace many crew and equipment costs with prompt-driven generation.
  • Faster turnarounds: Prototype 3–5 versions, gather feedback, regenerate in minutes.
  • Unlimited locations: Depict any scene—no permits, travel, or weather delays.
  • Scalable brand look: Reuse style prompts for consistent campaigns all year.
  • Lower testing risk: A/B test creative variations before committing to long runs.

Distribution: Put Your Videos on Your Own TVs with It’s Relevant TV

It’s Relevant TV is a custom, ad-free TV platform for businesses. You control what appears on your screens and can blend your videos with licensed, family-friendly content across 60+ categories (now 1,000,000+ programs) to keep screens fresh and engaging.

  • Your channel, your rules: Upload Sora-generated clips, choose how often you want them to appear, and mix with curated content to avoid repetitive loops.
  • Ad-free by default: No third-party ads cluttering your screen. If you choose to run your own sponsor messages, you keep 100% of that revenue. (And you can use Sora to make them).
  • AI-assisted delivery: Keep content relevant and brand-safe, including granular category and keyword controls.
  • Multi-location management: Push updates to dozens or hundreds of screens from one central online dashboard.

From Prompt to TV: A Simple Workflow

  1. Define the message: Offer, product feature, seasonal event, new service, or brand story.
  2. Draft the prompt: Specify setting, camera moves, pacing, tone, and any on-screen text.
  3. Generate & refine: Produce multiple takes; select the best and make light edits (logos, lower thirds, captions).
  4. Export for TV: Deliver MP4 video files in a landscape format and 16:9 aspect ratio.
  5. Upload to It’s Relevant TV: Set frequency, and blend with licensed content.
  6. Measure & iterate: Track inquiries, redemptions, or QR scans; refresh creative monthly or seasonally.

Creative Best Practices

  • Keep it short: 10–15 seconds is ideal for in-location attention spans.
  • Front-load the hook: Lead with the benefit in the first 2–3 seconds to capture viewer attention.
  • Brand consistently: Use the same colors, fonts, and logo placement.
  • Blend real + AI: Pair Sora visuals with real product shots or testimonials for authenticity.
  • Plan rotations: Update creative on a cadence (e.g., monthly) to avoid “stale screen syndrome.” It’s Relevant takes care of this automatically with all of their licensed content, never looping.

Things to Watch Out For

  • Quality control: Review for motion or continuity artifacts before publishing.
  • Legal & brand safety: Avoid prompts that imitate protected IP or restricted likenesses; use only logos and brand assets you own or have licensing rights to.
  • Technical compatibility: Confirm the MP4 file output, 720P or better resolution, and landscape (wide screen) aspect ratio (16:9).

AI-Powered Advertising: From Meta’s 2026 Vision to Business TV Innovation Today

The AI Advertising Revolution

Artificial intelligence is transforming the advertising industry faster than any previous shift. From creative generation to campaign optimization, AI tools are taking over tasks once handled manually. Reuters reported that Meta Platforms aims to fully automate ad creation and targeting with AI by the end of 2026—moving toward a world where brands provide a product image, goals, and budget, and the platform handles the rest.

Meta’s Bold 2026 Roadmap: Fully Automated Social Media Ads

As outlined in the reporting, Meta’s goal is a hands-off workflow for marketers. Businesses upload a product image, define budget and objectives, and Meta’s AI:

  • Generates creative (images, short video, and copy) automatically.
  • Selects audiences across Facebook and Instagram using behavioral and contextual signals.
  • Allocates budget and optimizes spend in real time.
  • Monitors performance and iterates on creative, targeting, and placements.

This has the potential to lower the barrier to high-quality campaigns for small and midsize businesses, while raising new questions about brand voice, creative control, and safeguards for quality and safety. Some marketers are concerned that it could lead to a homogenization of advertising that may lead to less standout campaigns. Businesses like the idea of having one less middleman to go through, allowing them to spend more of their advertising budget on reach rather than creative.

AI in Action Today: It’s Relevant TV

While social platforms race toward full automation, It’s Relevant TV already applies AI to improve in-location media. It’s Relevant TV powers custom TV channels inside medical offices, auto dealerships, retailers, restaurants, gyms, and more—mixing entertainment, education, and business marketing on screens customers actually watch.

How AI Drives the Service

  • Fresh, non-repetitive programming: A living library of 1,000,000+ licensed short-form videos across 65+ categories is updated frequently. AI helps prevent looping and stale playlists so returning visitors see variety over time.
  • Customization & controls: Businesses choose content categories, apply keyword/phrase blocking to maintain brand safety, and set rules that fit their audiences.
  • Seamless marketing integrations: Mix in your own videos, image spots, text banners, and show live social posts (Facebook, Instagram, X) without exposing negative comments on-screen.
  • AI + human oversight: Human editorial review and curation continues to be a cornerstone of their service, while intelligent delivery allows quality to meet efficiency.

The result is a brand-safe, engaging channel that turns idle wait time into marketing time—without third-party ads for competitors interrupting your environment.

Two Fronts of AI Advertising

1) Social Media Advertising (Meta & Peers)

  • AI handles creative generation, targeting, and optimization at scale.
  • Ideal for reach and rapid testing, but marketers should plan governance for brand standards and approvals.

2) Business TV Advertising (It’s Relevant TV)

  • AI keeps in-store TV programming dynamic and relevant.
  • Combines entertainment and education with your promotions to drive action from on-site audiences.
  • Gives local teams control while maintaining guardrails for safety and tone.

AI Best Practices for Marketers

  • Plan for hybrid AI: Use platform automation for online reach and use AI-assisted business TV to convert attention in-store.
  • Protect your voice: Establish creative and brand-safety guidelines so AI outputs stay on-brand. It’s unclear how much control platforms like Meta will provide, but ultimately you need to the check the work like you would an intern’s.
  • Measure both worlds: Track digital conversions from social and real-world engagement (QR scans, offers, sign-ups) from in-location screens.

The Future is Smarter and more Integrated

Meta’s 2026 roadmap shows where social ads are headed: fully automated, goal-driven campaigns. Meanwhile, It’s Relevant TV demonstrates how AI can already elevate real-world engagement today—keeping content fresh, brand-safe, and effective inside your locations. The winning strategy isn’t either/or; it’s integrating AI across both digital and physical touch-points so your brand stays relevant wherever customers encounter it. No technology is truly set it and forget it, so it’s always best to check the work that’s being done for you to make sure you are getting the desired results.

Inside Andre Agassi’s “Ballers” Club: A New Era in Sports, Socializing, and In-Club Media

Andre Agassi, the tennis icon known for his powerful backhand and even stronger entrepreneurial instincts, has entered a new playing field: the high-end social sports club space. Backed by Agassi and a roster of athlete-investors including NBA star Tyrese Maxey and tennis pro Sloane Stephens, “Ballers” is more than a gym or country club—it’s an experiential destination merging athleticism with hospitality and community.

The flagship Ballers location is opening in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, occupying a sprawling 55,000-square-foot converted power plant. The vision for the space is ambitious, featuring six indoor pickleball courts, three padel courts, and two squash courts. Add to that a multipurpose turf field, a sand-bunker putting green, a full-scale gym and recovery zone, Golfzon simulators, and traditional golf bays, and it’s clear that Ballers is designed to be a complete sports and lifestyle complex. But Ballers is also investing just as heavily in its social experience, with a full-service restaurant, craft cocktails, DJ events, local art activations, and ongoing programming that bridges sport and culture.

Ballers is not just a place to work out. It’s a place to gather, network, compete, and relax. The atmosphere is intentionally curated to feel modern and welcoming, with industrial design elements and a hospitality-forward approach to member services. It’s the kind of venue where the lines between competition, recreation, and social life blur—in the best way.

Businesses Can Grow Their Brands Through Custom TV

With all of this activity and foot traffic, Ballers is also uniquely positioned to take advantage of custom in-club media. They could even launch their own internal TV network with a platform like It’s Relevant TV.

Rather than relying on cable or outside advertising networks, Ballers could use its own screens throughout the facility to broadcast curated content, exclusive videos, promotional messages, and localized entertainment tailored to its members.

Ballers could display everything from in-house matches and golf simulator tournaments to behind-the-scenes training segments, athlete interviews, leaderboard highlights, all while sharing automated social media posts from their Facebook, Instagram and X accounts. The platform allows for a mix of dynamic entertainment and targeted messaging—fully controlled by the business and free from third-party advertising. That means Ballers can use the platform to communicate membership offers, showcase upcoming events, promote new classes or experiences, and build community engagement directly on their in-house screens. Plus, they can create their very own ad network, selling space to outside advertisers that they want to partner with.

There’s a strong business case for this kind of in-house content strategy. First, it reinforces the Ballers brand by keeping members immersed in the club’s identity every time they look up at a screen. Second, it boosts retention by turning regular visits into media-rich experiences, helping members feel like part of something larger than the space they are in. Third, it saves on marketing costs by delivering key messages directly, without as much of a need for outside ad placement. Fourth, it opens up new monetization channels— like offering branded content to sponsors or partners. Finally, it strengthens the Ballers community by showcasing content that resonates with its specific audience, fostering pride and loyalty.

Athletes & Celebrity Investors Can Make Great TV

Having big name athletes investing is a great first step, but amplifying that relationship and creating connections with their clients is key. The opportunity to build a custom media experience is especially fitting for a business like Ballers. With multiple locations planned in cities like Boston, Los Angeles, and Miami, a centralized but customizable TV network could serve as a digital connective thread between clubs, standardizing the brand experience while tailoring content to local tastes and programming.

As Ballers builds momentum and expands nationwide, launching a branded, custom content network would not only elevate the in-person experience but also help future-proof the business in a media-driven world. Through a partnership with It’s Relevant TV, businesses like Ballers can transform every screen into a powerful extension of its brand—entertaining, engaging, and informing members in real-time. In an age where content drives loyalty and value, a club that controls its own channel is not just a venue; it’s a modern media powerhouse.

Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Day Frenzy: How Smart Retailers Are Winning — Even When Consoles Sell Out

The much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 officially launched today, June 5, 2025, sparking excitement and long lines at retailers worldwide. Boasting a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screen, enhanced Joy-Con 2 controllers, and innovative features like GameChat and GameShare, the Switch 2 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. Priced at $449.99 for the base model and $499.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle, the console has been met with overwhelming demand, leading to sold-out preorders and eager fans queuing for hours to secure a unit .

In locations where Nintendo’s newest console was out of stock within minutes, screens across electronics departments pivoted instantly. Custom TV displays began promoting compatible accessories, best-selling games, and protective gear—all in stock and available for purchase today. According to retail staff at locations using these systems, the strategy is proving effective at turning disappointed shoppers into paying customers.

Retail Winners: Best Buy and the Midnight Launch Frenzy

Best Buy emerged as a major winner during the Switch 2 launch, with stores across the U.S. opening at midnight to accommodate the surge of customers. In Cary, North Carolina, more than 200 people lined up, some waiting over 14 hours, to be among the first to purchase the new console . Similarly, in Chicago, lines wrapped around blocks at both Best Buy and Target locations, highlighting the console’s immense popularity.

Best Buy’s strategic planning included offering limited-edition commemorative coins to early purchasers and organizing GameTruck theater experiences at select locations, allowing customers to try out new games like Mario Kart World firsthand . These initiatives not only enhanced the customer experience but also drove significant foot traffic and sales.

Game Truck - Brought to Best Buy for Nintendo Switch 2 Release
Game Truck – Brought to Best Buy for Nintendo Switch 2 Release

Leveraging In-Store Media Networks for Upselling Opportunities

For retailers equipped with custom in-store TV networks, such as It’s Relevant TV, the Switch 2 launch presents a unique opportunity to drive additional sales, even amidst limited console stock.

Retailers like Target have implemented dynamic digital displays to highlight in-stock items such as the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip, and popular game titles. These displays provide real-time promotions, guiding customers toward complementary purchases even if the console is already sold out in their location.

“From exclusive launch day experiences and giveaways to a wide assortment of Nintendo-inspired merchandise starting at just $20, we’re turning our stores into a celebration of play,” said Cassandra Jones, senior vice president of merchandising at Target.

Custom TV networks like It’s Relevant TV allow retailers to go beyond the game console and upsell customers other Nintendo-related items that didn’t have the same stock limitations. Even if a customer is unable to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 today, they can still leave with a carrying case, or a few games that are in high demand to have ready to use when the next batch of consoles arrive. Industry experts note that such strategies not only enhance the shopping experience but also contribute to increased sales and customer satisfaction. No one wants to wait hours in line for something and leave empty-handed, so focusing customer attention away from the disappointment of not getting the console and towards something they can buy today is vitally important.

In-Store TV displays also played a pivotal role in the days leading up to the product’s release. For the last few weeks retailers have been promoting the upcoming Nintendo launch events and pre-orders, insuring that release day would be big. And those efforts certainly paid off. Analysts say that this strategy underscores a broader shift in retail: turning impulse buyers into engaged brand participants, even when marquee items are out of stock. By leaning into dynamic in-store messaging, stores are making the most of launch day momentum and maximizing per-visit revenue.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launch has not only reinvigorated the gaming community but also provided retailers with a significant boost in sales and customer engagement. Retailers like Best Buy have demonstrated the benefits of strategic planning and customer-focused initiatives. Meanwhile, leveraging in-store media networks offered an effective avenue for upselling and maximizing revenue during this high-demand product launch.

#1 Marketing Mistake of 2025: Don’t Overlook Customer Retention

Many businesses allocate a significant portion of their budgets to external advertising, often underestimating the value and ROI of internal marketing for customer retention.

Data from industry studies reveals it costs 5 to 7 times more to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one.

Despite this, businesses remain fixated on external campaigns, paying high CPMs (cost per thousand impressions) to platforms like Meta (formerly Facebook), Google, and X (formerly Twitter). Meta’s CPMs typically range between $8 to $14, while Google Display Ads average around $6 to $12, and X’s CPMs can range from $6 to $10 or more, depending on targeting and ad formats.

Compared to these, TV marketing tools such as those offered by It’s Relevant provide much lower CPMs—between $0.50 to $2—making them a smarter, and more cost-effective option.

The high costs of external advertising are also compounded by the fact that many platforms target audiences that may not convert. Meta and Google ads, while effective in getting in front of large audiences, can actually limit your ad’s visibility to the most relevant audiences. This often causes wasteful spending as you reach irrelevant audiences, unless you have someone dedicated to continual optimization and investment– which just makes it even more expensive!

In contrast, internal marketing tools focus on your customers who are already familiar with your brand—people who have visited your business, and are statistically more likely to return. By targeting this core group, innovative customer retention technologies ensure businesses get the most value out of their marketing efforts.

Internal Marketing is crucial for Customer Retention

Most business owners already know that the cost of retaining a customer is much less than the cost of acquiring a new one; but that’s just the start. The added revenue a business can generate is where the difference really shines.

According to research by Bain Capital, increasing customer retention rates by just 5% can boost profits by up to 95%. When businesses use industry-leading tools like It’s Relevant TV, they can easily promote special offers, highlight additional services, and deliver timely messages to their customers while they are present in their locations.

In today’s competitive advertising landscape, where external platforms demand higher and higher CPMs, businesses must rethink their marketing strategies.

Instead of pouring all of your funds into external campaigns with CPMs upwards of $10-20, you can achieve better results by leveraging affordable and targeted internal marketing tools.

Utilizing platforms like It’s Relevant TV and the even lower-cost-to-start Rele.TV, allow businesses to create their own ad spaces for a fraction of the price, and with just as much if not more effectiveness. With CPMs as low as $0.50 to $2, these internal technology-assisted solutions not only maximize your marketing budget but also target the ideal audience—your existing customers—ultimately driving greater loyalty, retention, and revenue.

Increase Your Social Media Following to Increase Your Customer Retention

Social media following plays a key role in this process by keeping your brand top-of-mind long after a customer leaves your store. When customers follow your business on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or X, you gain direct access to their attention—providing opportunities to re-engage, promote special offers, and build a deeper relationship when they are outside of your business’s walls. This long-term connection can be the difference between a one-time visit and a lifelong customer.

It’s Relevant TV helps bridge the gap between in-store experience and online engagement by turning your business’s TVs into tools for social growth. Instead of displaying cable or passive streaming content that can promote other brands, It’s Relevant TV gives businesses the power to include automated social media displays that directly invite customers to follow them on social media. This turns passive viewing time into an active social conversion funnel.

By combining relevant, family-friendly entertainment with your brand messaging, It’s Relevant TV ensures that customers are both entertained and engaged. This unique dual-purpose platform keeps visitors in a good mood while also planting calls to action that matter to your business. Whether you operate a retail store, medical office, restaurant, or auto dealership, It’s Relevant TV helps convert foot traffic into followers—and followers into repeat customers. It’s a simple yet powerful way to increase social engagement without needing to spend extra time or money on social campaigns.

Top 5 Ways Businesses Can Deal With Inflation in 2025

In today’s economic landscape, businesses across all industries face the challenge of rising costs of supplies due to inflation in an all out Tariff War.

For small businesses and large corporations alike, these increases can have significant impacts on profit margins, customer satisfaction, and even business longevity. While raising prices may seem like the natural solution, businesses must carefully consider how to communicate these changes to customers to maintain trust and loyalty.

We will exmaine the Top 5 business strategies for managing cost increases as we explore effective communication methods.

1. Understanding the Impact of Rising Costs and Inflation

Inflation affects nearly every aspect of business, from the cost of raw materials to labor and shipping. As a result, the cost of supplies and services needed to run a business often rises, putting pressure on companies to adjust their prices to cover these expenses. To stay afloat, many businesses are forced to pass some of these costs on to their customers. However, frustrated customers may react negatively if they do not understand the reasons behind the price increases.

The first step in handling this situation is understanding which of your expenses have increased and by how much. This information is crucial, not only for your internal decision-making, but also for transparent communication with your customers.

2. Providing a Reasonable Justification for Price Increases

When implementing price increases, it’s essential to be up front with your customers. Many people are aware that inflation is affecting prices across the board, but providing specific reasons related to your industry and business can go a long way in easing customer concerns. Here are some justifications you can reasonably provide:

  • Increased Cost of Raw Materials: If the prices of raw materials or essential goods you require have gone up, explain how these increases directly affect your product pricing.
  • Higher Labor Costs: With labor shortages and increased wage requirements, businesses often need to pay more to retain or hire skilled employees. Explaining this can help customers understand that these expenses contribute to providing consistent quality and service.
  • Rising Shipping and Logistics Costs: Global supply chain disruptions and increased fuel costs have impacted shipping prices. On top of that the USPS recently raised their rates to keep themselves afloat. If shipping plays a significant role in your product costs, explaining this can justify price changes.
  • Improvement in Quality or Service: If your business has invested in higher-quality materials or new technologies to improve the customer experience, communicate this as a value-added reason for increased prices. Let customers see they are not just paying more, but getting more in the process.

3. Communicating Price Increases Effectively and Transparently

Clear communication is vital when addressing price increases. Here are some strategies that businesses can use to convey this message thoughtfully and empathetically:

Use It’s Relevant TV to Reach Customers In Your Business

For businesses with physical locations, we recommend employing a cost-effective communication solution in your business locations. Flyers and bulletin boards don’t cut it. Your television is a great tool for this. The leading Custom TV solution,  It’s Relevant TV, allows you to create and display tailored content on your own in-store TV network, enabling you to communicate key messages directly to customers while they’re on-site.

It’s Relevant TV can be a crucial communication tool that provides several benefits for businesses:

  • Educate Customers on Price Changes: Use in-store screens to provide educational content about why prices have increased. Whether it’s a short message explaining the impact of inflation or a quick note on rising supplier costs, you can ensure that customers get the information you want them to see.
  • Highlight Value and Offer Additional Information: Use these screens to reinforce your products’ qualities or your business’ unique offerings. You can showcase behind-the-scenes footage, quality certifications, or stories about your team to make the customer feel more connected.
  • Engage Customers Without Extra Costs: Traditional advertising can be costly. With It’s Relevant TV, you can deliver valuable information without incurring extra advertising expenses, keeping customers informed in real time and reducing potential sticker shock.

Direct Outside Communication Channels

  • Email Marketing: Sending personalized emails to your loyal customers is a direct way to inform them about upcoming price changes. Highlight the reasons for the increases and express your appreciation for their continued support. Low priced tools like Mailchimp can handle the sending and tracking of your emails.
  • Social Media: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn allow you to explain changes in a public space where customers can ask questions. This interaction builds transparency and allows customers to feel heard.

Focus on the Value Your Business Offers

Customers are more likely to accept price increases if they feel they’re getting good value in return. Use this opportunity to reinforce your business’s value proposition. Emphasize the quality, durability, and uniqueness of your products, or highlight exceptional customer service and support.

4. Mitigate Price Increases and Manage Customer Expectations

While transparent communication is essential, businesses can also take proactive steps to minimize the impact of inflation on their customers. Here are a few strategies:

  • Implement Incremental Price Adjustments: Instead of a sudden, large increase, consider gradual adjustments over time. This approach can help customers adjust and spread the impact over a longer period.
  • Offer Discounts or Loyalty Programs: Reward loyal customers by offering discounts, loyalty rewards, or perks to show your appreciation. This can offset the impact of price increases and build stronger customer relationships.
  • Find Cost-Saving Alternatives: Look for ways to optimize operations without compromising quality. For example, sourcing materials from alternative suppliers, investing in energy-efficient equipment, or renegotiating contracts with vendors can help reduce costs.
  • Consider Downsizing Products or Services: In some cases, offering a smaller or limited version of a product or service at a lower price can retain budget-conscious customers while still covering your costs.

5. Balance Your Revenue Needs with Customer Satisfaction

In a time of rising costs, businesses must balance the need to remain profitable with the desire to retain customer loyalty. If you squeeze your customers too much, you will lose them.

You are not alone! Transparent communication, reasonable price adjustments, and low-cost communication tools like It’s Relevant TV and even email, can help businesses maintain customer trust. By openly explaining price changes, showcasing the value of products and services, and using thoughtful communication channels, businesses can not only survive inflation but build even stronger connections with their customers.

Whether you’re a local store or a large chain, remember that your approach to these price changes will directly impact customer perception. By employing the right strategies, you can navigate this challenging economic landscape and position your business for sustainable success.

Why Atmosphere TV May Not Have Your Business’s Best Interests at Heart

As a business owner, creating a pleasant and engaging environment for your customers is paramount. Enter Atmosphere TV, a company that offers curated TV content designed to enhance customer experience in various settings like bars, restaurants, gyms, and waiting rooms. However, despite its appealing facade, Atmosphere TV’s business model reveals some underlying concerns that may not align with the best interests of hosting businesses.

The Business Model: “Free” TV

Atmosphere TV operates on a model that relies on advertising revenue. The service offers businesses free access to its content in exchange for displaying ads to their customers. Here’s a closer look at how this model works:

1. Free Content for Businesses

Atmosphere TV provides its service to businesses at no cost. This includes limited channels with content ranging from sports highlights to viral videos and lifestyle shows, all curated to keep viewers entertained.

2. Ad-Supported Revenue

The catch, however, is that the content is interspersed with advertisements. These ads are not random; they are specifically targeted based on the type of business and its customer demographics.

3. Advertisers Foot the Bill

The primary source of revenue for Atmosphere TV comes from these advertisers. Companies pay Atmosphere TV to place their ads in front of the viewers in these business establishments.

While this model ensures that businesses receive engaging content for free, it raises several concerns about whether Atmosphere TV prioritizes the interests of these businesses.

Concerns About Atmosphere TV

1. Customer Experience vs. Advertising Intrusion: The primary goal for most businesses using TV services is to enhance the customer experience. However, frequent interruptions by ads can disrupt the viewing experience. The ads inserted by Atmosphere TV might annoy customers, leading to a negative perception of the business using their service.

2. Lack of Control Over Content: Businesses have limited control over the ads shown to their customers. This lack of control means that the advertisements may not always align with the values or branding of the business. For example, a family-friendly restaurant may not appreciate ads for products or services that don’t align with their image or mention a competing brand.

3. Hidden Costs: While the service itself is free, the cost that ranges from missed marketing opportunities to the potential customer dissatisfaction. Businesses must weigh the trade-off between saving money on TV content and possibly alienating customers with unwanted content and advertisements.

4. Ad Revenue Prioritization: Because Atmosphere TV’s primary revenue source is advertising, there is a strong incentive for the company to prioritize the interests of advertisers over the businesses hosting their service. This can lead to a gradual increase in ad frequency and ad types that pay them more money, further detracting from the hosting business’ customer experience.

5. Limited Content Options: Because Atmosphere TV is footing the bill for the content they provide to businesses, they are likely to prioritize playback of content that will cost them less to display. They are also less likely to purchase new content if they can get away with playing older, less relevant, content at a lesser cost. This can leave businesses with looping video playlists that repeat often and end up being a bother to customers and staff.

Top Alternatives to Atmosphere TV

Business owners looking to provide quality entertainment without compromising customer satisfaction should consider alternative non-cable solutions:

1. Custom TV Services: Services from leaders in custom TV like It’s Relevant TV, offer a customizable experience tailored specifically for businesses. It’s Relevant TV provides a mix of content and advertising options that align with the business’s branding and customer demographics. This service also ensures compliance with public performance licensing requirements, eliminating legal concerns associated with using personal streaming services like Netflix.

2. In-House Content Curation: Some businesses may benefit from creating their own content loops. This could include a mix of branded content, customer highlights, and non-commercial entertainment, ensuring full control over what is displayed. If you don’t have hours of your own content you can combine what you have with network tv content by using services like RELE.TV.

3. Digital Signage Solutions: Businesses can also explore digital signage solutions that allow for custom content curation. This includes promotional materials, local news, weather updates, and more, without the intrusion of third-party advertisements. This option does tend to lack in engaging TV content people typically enjoy watching, so sticking with a custom tv service might be a better option.

“You Get What You Pay For”

While Atmosphere TV offers an enticing free service, its ad-supported business model may not always align with the best interests of the hosting businesses. Just remember, if you aren’t paying anything, you may not be getting much– or worse, you might actually be losing something. The potential for customer dissatisfaction, lack of content control, and lost opportunities to promote your own business the way you want, are significant drawbacks. Business owners must critically evaluate whether the minor savings justify the possible major impact on their customer experience and brand image.

Exploring alternative entertainment solutions that comply with licensing requirements, solely exist to support your brand, and offer customizable content may ultimately better serve the interests of both your business and your customers.

Free Waiting Room TV Service | Businesses & Medical Offices

Looking for free waiting room TV service for your business or medical office? Cutting cable in favor of waiting room TV software is a step in the right direction; but settling on one of the self-proclaimed “free” TV services is just as bad, if not worse, than what you just got rid of. If you take anything away from this article, let it be not to fall for “free.” You always get what you pay for. Certain waiting room TV services, like this one, are as close to free as you’ll get; with features that make it worthwhile, and tools to even offset the cost.

If you’re paying $0/month for waiting room television, it shouldn’t be because it’s costing you $0/month. It should be because it’s generating enough revenue to cover the monthly cost.

Why is a Free Waiting Room TV Service a Bad Idea?

When something is advertised as “free,” it generally means that it isn’t costing you any money. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t costing you something else. Free is good when that free thing is complimentary, or a bonus; a thank-you for choosing X, Y or Z, with the hopes of leaving a good first impression. When that free thing is a TV service, or a brand-new television; or both, chances are that provider is taking advantage of you in some way.

How can you tell if you’re being taken advantage of?

If something is too good to be true, more often than not that’s usually the case. A free TV + content that you pay 0$/month for? It might seem like a win-win, but beneath the surface there’s something disingenuous going on. There’s no two ways of looking at it — whether you’re a restaurant, a gym, salon, dentist, or even a hospital, you have something these service providers want; a captivated audience.

Day-in and day-out, you’ve got visitors coming in and waiting — sometimes for 10, 15, or even 30 minutes. That’s a long time, and that’s precisely what these providers are looking for; to turn your TV into an electronic billboard. For who? Themselves, and their happy advertisers. They might throw you a bone and give you the ability to upload your own ads on the side, but not without your messages competing for the spotlight.

If you thought commercials were bad…

Try endless looping commercials for drugs, treatments, or nonsense-conditions that you or your doctors don’t endorse; it’s on your TV, visitors will associate it with your brand, and nothing short of turning it off will stop to it.

Recommended Read: “Top 5 Reasons a Free TV Service is Bad for Medical Offices“

An Alternative to Free Waiting Room TV Software that’s still Free, and 100% Safe

One of the downsides of a free waiting room TV service, as described above, is that fact that someone else is reaping all of the benefits while you’re stuck with their ads playing on your TV. But what if that “someone else” was someone you chose to instead? Someone you trust, or a non-competing brand that your business supports.

It’s Relevant TV, a company that provides custom TV networks to businesses, is unique in that it offers shoppers a $0/month Sponsor-Supported package in which you choose a trusted company, organization, or fellow business owner to cover the cost of your monthly subscription. In exchange, they get to feature their brand and messaging on your TV in a way that is mutual, non-intrusive, and most-importantly; safe for your business.

Check to see if there are any local businesses that you can partner with!

Choosing a brand that pairs well with your business, who has your best interests at heart, is a lot better than letting someone you don’t know; who you’ve never heard of, profit off of your business’ TV. Partnerships are, and always will be, a great marketing strategy.

A Safer Way to Shop for Waiting Room TV Software

The best way make sure that you’re getting a TV system that’s built to serve your brand is to consult with someone in the industry itself. The TV experts at ItsRelevant.com are there answer any questions you might have about what to look for when it comes to waiting room TV technology. Schedule a call with them, or ask to arrange a demo if you’re serious about a custom TV network.

If anyone should be making money off of the TV in your business or medical office, it’s you, or a partnered brand. Your TV, your space, and your visitors are extraordinarily valuble to these advertising companies; so much so that these “free TV services” are able to deal out free TVs and iPads like playing cards. The cost of that technology is nothing compared to what they’re making off of you.

Inexpensive Marketing: Budgeting Post-Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Businesses left and right have suffered major setbacks in light of the spread of Coronavirus (COIVD-19). If you’re a business owner, you’re probably facing budget cuts right now, or looking for ways to make your marketing dollars count. You’re not alone. Businesses across the country are trying to make ends meet; cutting spending wherever possible and doing what’s necessary to stay open or reopen strong.

We all must be prepared for change.

Your Marketing Budget: Adjusting to the Change

Making a list of your monthly spends, identifying the essentials, and cutting the non-essentials is the first logical step.

If you’re having difficulty deciding on what to cut; try giving each item on the list a rating of 1-5 in terms of importance. Cut back on, or reduce, the lower-rated items and go from there. The list will get narrow fast, and there are bound to be things you’re hesitant to get rid of.

Marketing is often one of the first areas to go when companies have to make necessary reductions. And while it’s easy to cut a big ad buy or commercial production, there are inexpensive, even free solutions, that can be put into place to help you adjust to the changes.

It’s important to keep in mind that your changes are meant to be temporary!

Factor that into your decision-making if it helps. The silver lining from the Coronavirus fear is the possibility that some of these changes you are being forced to consider may actually benefit your business in the long run. Giving your list of expenditures a scrub and re-evaluating what’s important from time to time is a good practice in general.

Too many businesses only get around to cleaning their budget when it’s an emergency. Regardless, after a hard look at your spends, you should be able to get a better understanding of what your business can, and can’t do without.

Focus on Creating Revenue Generators

Does your business have a TV? Are you using a service for it like cable, satellite, or DirecTV? If so, you may want to consider cable replacement. Specifically, a custom TV network.

READ: “Should I Cancel Cable? A Better Cable Alternative for Businesses“

Costing less than the average cable subscription, a custom TV network is the best way to generate revenue from your business’ television. It gives businesses the power to deliver important revenue-generating messaging to visitors in a meaningful way, while providing them with controlled programming to keep them happy. When you’re using your TV to promote your business’ services, you’ll have more people taking advantage of them.

Custom TV Network: Where to Start Looking

As businesses reopen in the near future, keeping visitors happy and feeling safe is going to be more important than ever.

Things will go back to normal, but you can bet that the news will still be talking about the Coronavirus. COVID-19 isn’t going to disappear overnight. Even after the ALL-CLEAR, there are going to be people who are still anxious to reintegrate. Something as simple as a custom TV network can go a long way towards helping your visitors feel comfortable. COVID-free TV is better for everyone.

Start your search here: It’s Relevant TV – Custom TV Networks for Businesses.

It’s Relevant TV has a feature that allows you to block out world news about things like the Coronavirus, which is a great way to keep Corona-coverage from impacting your business. For more great tips on preparing your business for reopening, check out the article below.

READ: “Top 5 Ways to Prepare your Business for Reopening After COVID-19“