How One Connecticut Ramen Spot Learned That the Hard Way

In today’s competitive restaurant landscape, retaining customers is everything. Food and service are crucial, of course—but there’s another silent factor that could be costing you repeat business without you even realizing it: your TV content.

It sounds simple enough. You put a TV on the wall to enhance the dining experience, give solo diners something to watch, or create ambiance. But what happens when that TV turns customers off instead of drawing them in?

Let’s take the example of a Connecticut ramen noodle restaurant that recently made an unfortunate programming choice. In an attempt to offer a cultural flair, the owners had an Asian television channel playing in the background. The program? A food-travel show showcasing bizarre dishes from around the world. That day’s feature: eyeballs. Yes, literal eyeballs—being cooked, plated, and then bitten into, with grotesque detail and camera close-ups of the “eye guts” exploding in diners’ mouths.

It didn’t take long for customers to start shifting uncomfortably in their seats—and in some cases, making audible reactions in the restaurant.

Gross-Out Content Kills the Appetite

What that restaurant failed to realize is that visual content impacts the dining experience just as much as smell and ambiance. No matter how good your food is, no one wants to eat noodles while watching someone on your TV chomping down on an eyeball.

But it’s not just extreme content that can cause issues. Other common TV pitfalls in restaurants include:

• News segments showing violence, disasters, or polarizing politics
• Inappropriate humor or offensive language on certain streaming shows
• Commercials for competitors or irrelevant products
• Distracting sports commentary that doesn’t align with the atmosphere
• Children’s programming in adult-oriented restaurants (and vice versa)

Control the Message, Keep the Customer

If you wouldn’t post it on your menu board, why let it play on your TV?

Your screen isn’t just background noise—it’s a visual touchpoint that reinforces your brand and shapes your customers’ mood and memory. The right content can make people stay longer, order more, and come back again. The wrong content can make them lose their appetite or decide not to return.

So how do you ensure what’s on your TV helps your restaurant instead of hurting it? By using a custom TV solution like It’s Relevant TV.

It’s Relevant TV is a custom TV platform built specifically for businesses, including restaurants. It’s not cable, and it’s not generic streaming. It’s a curated experience that lets you control exactly what appears on your screens—down to the category and tone—with no gross-outs or off-brand content.

Here’s what sets It’s Relevant TV apart:

• Family-friendly, appetizing content: Only content that’s safe and suitable for dining environments.
• Custom branding tools: Show off your menu items, promotions, social media feeds, or reviews right on the screen.
• No competitor ads: You’ll never accidentally advertise for the restaurant down the block.
• Real-time control: Want to switch categories or hide a type of video? Do it instantly from your dashboard.
• Engagement-focused: Shorter-form content keeps diners interested without pulling focus from the food.

Instead of risking the customer experience on questionable TV choices, restaurants can turn their TVs into a customer retention tool—and even a built-in marketing engine—with It’s Relevant TV.

What’s playing on your restaurant’s TV could be the difference between a five-star review and a lost customer. Don’t let careless programming chase away your guests—especially not with something as fixable as what’s on the screen.

Let your content reflect the care you put into your food. Choose It’s Relevant TV—because good taste shouldn’t end at the plate.

Budget cuts can feel like a death sentence for marketing efforts, but they don’t have to be. The key is finding smarter, cost-effective solutions that still allow you to achieve your goals without breaking the bank. One of the most innovative options made available in the past few years are custom television networks– cable replacements that transform what were once simple cable TVs into powerful marketing engines. Whether you’re in retail, medical, hospitality, automotive, or the restaurant industry, these networks are an affordable way to engage visitors, enhance customer experiences, and promote your business.

Here are ten marketing strategies that can help you make the most of a reduced budget, with a special focus on how leveraging a TV you already have can play a pivotal role.

1. Repurpose Your Cable Budget

Most businesses spend over $100 a month on traditional cable services hoping to entertain their visitors. Instead of generic TV content, you can use the screen to showcase your brand, promotions, and services while still providing engaging entertainment for your audience.

2. Enhance In-Store Experiences

A positive customer experience leads to repeat business. Imagine customers visiting your business and seeing personalized, professional TV content that highlights your products, services, and special promotions. This keeps your brand top of mind without the hefty price tag of traditional advertising.

3. Advertise Without Paying for Ad Space

Ad placement on TV, radio, and digital platforms can be expensive. Advertising CPMs are reaching $50 in 2025 while custom TV platform CPMs can cost as little as $0.50. With platforms like It’s Relevant TV, you can run unlimited ads for your business on your own screens, 24/7, for no additional cost. Highlight new arrivals, seasonal deals, or unique services to a captive audience already in your space.

4. Recover from Staffing Cuts

If your marketing department has been downsized, custom relevision can step in as a self-sufficient tool that requires minimal management. “Set it and forget it” allowing the TV to be an expert communicator for you. Platforms like Rele.tv have user-friendly controls that allow you to upload content, select themes, and schedule updates in minutes. This frees up your remaining team to focus on other priorities.

5. Reach a Highly Targeted Audience

Marketing to the right audience is crucial, especially when budgets are tight. Installing custom TV ensures your messages are seen by the people who matter most—your visitors and customers. Unlike traditional cable, which may feature irrelevant programming, these platforms keep the focus on your brand.

6. Cut Back on Printing Costs

Brochures, flyers, and posters can be costly to produce and distribute. Digital signage allows you to convey the same information dynamically on your screens. Update content in real-time without reprinting materials, saving both time and money.

7. Boost Social Media Engagement

No one notices those “follow us on Facebook” stickers at your door, or front desk anymore. Encourage customers to follow your social media channels by syndicating your most recent posts on your TV screens. Display customer reviews, creative posts, and product spotlights to create a seamless connection between your physical and digital presence.

8. Increase Customer Awareness of Services

Many businesses struggle to educate their customers about all the services or products they offer. Some of this is due to staff, but a lot just comes down to communication. With custom television, you can create short, engaging videos that spotlight your full range of offerings. For instance, a medical office might highlight wellness programs, while an automotive service center could showcase seasonal maintenance specials.

9. Stand Out from Competitors

Businesses using traditional cable TV or even simple digital signage fail to differentiate themselves. By switching to a custom TV platform you’ll stand out with unique, branded content that reinforces your business’s identity and value.

10. Adapt to Changing Customer Expectations

Today’s customers expect personalized, relevant experiences from the moment they walk into your business. Custom TV helps you meet those expectations by delivering content that aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience. And it’s easy to manage with a reduced staffing level.

Real-Life Scenarios: The Benefits of Switching

Consider these common scenarios:

• A restaurant’s marketing budget is cut, and the team needs to promote daily specials without buying new ad space. By using custom TV solutions they create engaging, on-screen promotions that boost sales without additional costs.
• A medical office reduces staff but still needs to inform patients about new services. They create videos and on-screen promotions highlighting these services, ensuring patients stay informed and engaged.
• A retail store sees a drop in foot traffic and needs a cost-effective way to highlight seasonal deals. Custom TV attracts attention with vibrant, customized content tailored to current promotions.

Custom TV Can Bridge the Gap When Budgets Are Tight

In challenging times, every dollar counts. By switching to services like It’s Relevant TV, you’re not just cutting costs—you’re investing in marketing tools that drive engagement, enhance customer experiences, and help your business stand out. It’s a smart, scalable solution that adapts to your needs, no matter your industry or staffing level. And best of all, you don’t have to find the budget, you can simply switch from Cable TV over to IRTV and likely save money from the start.

In the highly competitive world of automotive sales, dealerships are constantly searching for ways to improve customer experience, boost sales, and streamline their marketing efforts. Especially now, with high interest rates and lease prices, dealerships need as much positive marketing as they can get to close the sale. One innovative solution that has been gaining traction is the use of customized television displays.

Once called “digital signage” the new form of this service has really evolved. It’s Relevant TV, one of Automotive News’ Top Picks for Car Dealership TV, pioneered the new model, combining licensed TV programming and powerful marketing tools to enhance both the sales and service areas of a dealership.

Here’s a deeper dive into how It’s Relevant TV can change a dealership’s sales process, all starting at $89 a month.

Top 7 Ways to utilize It’s Relevant TV in Your Dealership

Sales Area:
1. Engage: Place It’s Relevant TV screens in the showroom to entertain and inform customers as they browse vehicles. Display a mix of engaging content such as local news, weather updates, trivia, and entertainment, along with your promotional videos and special offers.

2. Highlight Inventory and Promotions: Showcase the latest models, special financing options, and current promotions. This not only keeps customers informed but also encourages them to ask about specific deals.

3. Customer Testimonials: Play videos of satisfied customers sharing their positive experiences. This can build trust and influence potential buyers who are still making their decisions.

Service Area:
4. Inform and Entertain: Waiting for vehicle maintenance can be tedious. Use It’s Relevant TV to provide engaging content that makes the wait more pleasant. Include segments on vehicle care tips, service specials, and loyalty programs.

5. Promote Additional Services: Inform customers about additional services such as detailing, tire rotation, and seasonal check-ups. Highlighting these services can lead to increased sales and customer retention.

6. Enhance Customer Loyalty: Display information about loyalty programs, referral bonuses, and exclusive events. This can encourage repeat business and build a stronger customer base.

7. Promote the Sales Department: Spotlight the latest and greatest new vehicles, enticing your service customer to lease or buy a new vehicle. This is a great place to promote payment forgiveness and lease buyouts.

Cost-Effective Marketing

Starting at just $59 a month, It’s Relevant TV offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional, more expensive promotional channels like TV commercials, radio ads, and print media. Here’s how it compares:
• Low Overhead: Traditional advertising mediums can cost thousands of dollars per month with limited, short-term reach. In contrast, It’s Relevant TV provides continuous, in-store marketing for a fraction of the cost.
• High ROI: The low subscription fee yields high returns through enhanced customer engagement and increased sales opportunities. With targeted messaging and captivating content, dealerships can see a significant impact without breaking the bank.

Flexibility and Ease of Operation

Customizable Content: It’s Relevant TV allows dealerships to tailor content to their specific needs. Whether promoting new car models, highlighting service specials, or sharing customer testimonials, the content can be easily customized to match your marketing goals.

Set It and Forget It: Once set up, It’s Relevant TV requires minimal maintenance. The automated scheduling feature means you can plan content in advance and let the system do the work, freeing up valuable time for your staff to focus on customer interactions.

Real-Time Updates: Easily update content in real-time to reflect new promotions, seasonal offers, or important announcements. This ensures that your messaging is always current and relevant.

User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed for ease of use, with an intuitive interface that makes it simple to upload and schedule content. Even staff with limited technical skills can manage the system efficiently.

In the competitive automotive market, creating an engaging and informative environment for customers is crucial. It’s Relevant TV provides a versatile, cost-effective solution that enhances both the sales and service areas of your dealership. For just $59 a month, you can transform your location TVs into ever-changing displays that entertain, inform, and ultimately drive sales.

By leveraging It’s Relevant TV, dealerships can not only improve the customer experience but also increase their marketing efficiency, leading to greater customer satisfaction and higher sales. Embrace this innovative solution and watch your dealership thrive in today’s fast-paced market.

In the competitive landscape of business television services, It’s Relevant TV stands out as a premier choice, akin to HBO in terms of quality, variety, and ad-free programming. Offering an extensive library of content, no outside advertising, and an affordable subscription, It’s Relevant TV provides businesses with a top-tier service that transforms the customer experience and boosts engagement.

A Vast and Varied Content Library

Much like HBO/MAX is known for its diverse and high-quality programming, It’s Relevant TV boasts one of the largest and most varied content libraries in the business television market. With over 500,000 videos spanning 60+ categories, businesses can offer their customers an engaging and dynamic viewing experience.

Category Highlights

Entertainment: From comedy clips to lifestyle segments, the entertainment options are vast and varied.

Educational: Informative videos on health, wellness, and general knowledge keep viewers engaged and informed.

News & Weather: Customized national/international news and weather, including video news in English ad Spanish, insuring the content is always up to date and relevant to the audience.

Constant Updates

Continuous Updates: The non-looping content library is updated hourly, guaranteeing that viewers always have access to the latest and greatest material.

Dynamic Programming: AI-assisted program scheduling keeps the content fresh and engaging, much like HBO/MAX’s lineup of new releases and exclusive premieres.

No Outside Advertising

One of the standout features of It’s Relevant TV is its commitment to providing an ad-free experience. Unlike many other business TV services that inundate viewers with outside advertisements, It’s Relevant TV focuses solely on content that benefits the business and its customers.

Enhanced Viewer Experience

Ad-Free: With no outside advertising, viewers can enjoy uninterrupted, high-quality content, making their experience more enjoyable and less frustrating.

Business-Centric Messaging: Instead of third-party ads, businesses can display their own promotions, announcements, and messages, directly engaging with their customers and enhancing their brand presence.

Higher Customer Satisfaction: An ad-free environment with content variety is more pleasant and relaxing, leading to higher customer satisfaction and positive reviews.

Brand Control: Businesses maintain full control over the messaging, ensuring that all content aligns with their brand values and marketing goals.

Low-Cost, High-Value Service

Affordability is another key aspect where It’s Relevant TV excels. Starting at $89 a month with licensed TV content and $59 without, businesses can access this extensive and dynamic service, making it an incredibly cost-effective solution compared to traditional advertising methods and other TV services.

Affordable Subscription: At a fraction of the cost of traditional TV commercials or print ads, It’s Relevant TV offers continuous in-store marketing.

High ROI: The combination of engaging content, increased customer dwell time, and the ability to promote in-house products and services leads to a high return on investment.

Customizable Content: Businesses can tailor the content to suit their specific needs, ensuring it resonates with their target audience.

Easy Management: The user-friendly platform allows for easy updates and scheduling, making it simple for businesses to keep their content fresh and relevant.

A Business Game-Changer

Just as HBO/MAX has transformed the home entertainment landscape, It’s Relevant TV has revolutionized business television. By offering a vast library of constantly updated, ad-free content at a low cost, It’s Relevant TV helps businesses create a more engaging and enjoyable environment for their customers and employees.

Engaging Waiting Areas: Transform dull waiting rooms into dynamic, entertaining spaces.

Productive Break Rooms: Provide employees with a variety of engaging content to help them relax and recharge.

Welcoming Retail Spaces:
Create an inviting atmosphere that encourages customers to stay longer and explore more.

Higher Customer Retention: Engaging content keeps customers coming back, fostering loyalty and repeat business.

Boosted Sales: The ability to promote in-house products and services directly to a captive audience can lead to increased sales.

It’s Relevant TV is truly the HBO of business television services, offering an unmatched combination of diverse content, ad-free viewing, and affordability. For businesses looking to enhance their environment, improve customer satisfaction, and drive sales, It’s Relevant TV provides a top-tier solution that delivers significant value. Embrace this innovative service and watch your business thrive.

In today’s digital landscape, social media is a critical tool for businesses looking to grow their customer base, improve brand visibility, and increase revenue. However, managing social media can be a double-edged sword. Done right, it can bring tremendous benefits to your bottom line, but if left unchecked or mismanaged, it can damage your reputation. One of the biggest challenges businesses face is finding effective ways to promote their social media channels to gain followers, without opening themselves up to the risks associated with public comments, ratings, or bad reviews.

Enter It’s Relevant TV—a customizable in-location TV platform that promotes your business’s social media content, directly targeting the customers physically present in your space. This article explores how It’s Relevant TV (IRTV) helps businesses increase their social media followers, avoid the pitfalls of public feedback, and connect with the right audience.

The Power of Social Media for Business Growth

Social media has become a cornerstone for business success, offering a direct line to consumers that allows brands to engage, promote, and build relationships. A well-curated social media presence can:

• Drive customer loyalty.
• Encourage word-of-mouth marketing.
• Increase brand awareness.
• Positively impact sales.

However, social media can also pose significant challenges. The very platforms that can help build your brand are also places where customers can leave negative reviews, post critical comments, and give low ratings that could hurt your business’s reputation.

The truth is, social media can influence a business’s bottom line—positively when done right, but negatively if left unmanaged or exposed to harmful interactions. This is where It’s Relevant TV becomes a game-changer.

Promote Social Media Without the Risks of Public Feedback

One of the biggest advantages of It’s Relevant TV is that it only displays the posts that your business makes. Unlike traditional social media platforms, IRTV doesn’t show public comments, reviews, or ratings. This means businesses can promote their social media content in a controlled environment, free from the risk of negative or inappropriate public feedback.

Here’s how It’s Relevant TV ensures your business can leverage social media without taking on unnecessary risks:

• No public comments: Avoid the risk of displaying harmful comments that could damage your brand.
• No bad reviews or ratings: Promote your best content without the fear of showcasing low ratings that might turn potential customers away.
• Full control of messaging: Only your business’s curated content appears, allowing you to craft your brand story without distractions or interruptions.

In other words, It’s Relevant TV provides a safe and controlled way to encourage customers to follow your social media channels, boosting your reach without the headache of worrying about negative feedback on display.

Target Your Ideal Audience: Customers in Your Business

One of the most effective ways to grow your social media following is by targeting people who are already engaged with your business—and there’s no better audience than the customers who have physically been in your space. It’s Relevant TV delivers your social media content to this ideal audience, right in your place of business.

Why target in-location customers?

• They are more likely to return: Customers who are in your business have already shown interest in what you offer, making them more likely to return in the future.
• They are more likely to engage on social media: Because they’ve visited your business, these customers are more inclined to follow your social media accounts, engage with your content, and share their experiences with friends and family.
• They are great advocates: A customer who has already experienced your business firsthand is more likely to recommend you to their social circles, amplifying your reach through word-of-mouth referrals.

By targeting customers while they are in your store, waiting room, or office, It’s Relevant TV ensures that your social media promotions are seen by people who are primed to engage with your brand. This highly targeted approach helps businesses convert visitors into loyal followers, which can result in increased social media activity, sharing, and, ultimately, more business.

Move Beyond the “Follow Us on Social Media” Sign

Gone are the days when a simple “Follow us on Facebook” sign near the checkout counter or front door was enough to attract attention. In today’s fast-paced world, people are constantly distracted by their smartphones, making it more difficult to grab their attention with static signage. Instead, they are drawn to digital screens, especially those displaying engaging, informative, or entertaining content.

This is why It’s Relevant TV is such a powerful tool—it taps into your customers’ natural tendency to look at TV screens, delivering your custom social media messages in an engaging way. While waiting in line, sitting in a lobby, or browsing in-store, customers will be exposed to eye-catching, branded social media content that encourages them to follow your accounts.

Why TV content works better than signs:

• Dynamic and engaging: Moving images and videos capture attention more effectively than static signs.
• High visibility: The TV is often the focal point in waiting rooms and lobbies, meaning your content will be seen.
• Integrated messaging: Customers are more likely to notice and engage with your social media promotions when they are seamlessly integrated into the TV content they are already watching.

With It’s Relevant TV, businesses can ensure that their social media promotion goes beyond static signage and becomes an integral part of the in-location experience.

Elevate Your Business, Grow Your Social Media, and Increase Your Reach

By incorporating It’s Relevant TV into your business, you can:

• Promote your social media channels in a controlled, risk-free environment, ensuring only your best content is displayed.
• Target in-location customers who are more likely to engage with your social media accounts, return to your business, and refer friends and family.
• Move beyond outdated methods of promoting your social media channels, such as signs, and use dynamic TV content that grabs attention and encourages action.
• Increase your social media followership organically by reaching the right people—those who are already interested in your business.

The Bottom Line: Social Media Can Be Incredible… When Done Right

Social media has the power to make or break a business. With the right tools, you can promote your social media content to the right audience, boost your follower count, and engage customers in meaningful ways. However, businesses must be careful to avoid the risks of public feedback that can negatively impact their reputation.

It’s Relevant TV offers the perfect solution, providing a safe, controlled, and highly effective way to grow your social media presence. By targeting your in-location customers and displaying only your curated content, you can maximize your social media impact without the worries that come with public reviews, ratings, or negative comments.

Incorporating It’s Relevant TV into your business strategy will elevate your social media game, increase your customer reach, and ultimately drive more traffic to your business, both online and offline.