Japan's broadcasters fear smart TVs

Broadcasters in Japan have refused to air advertisements for a new Panasonic smart TV, claiming that viewers could be confused by the way the commercial displays online clips alongside TV programmes. 

Observers thought it more likely that the blanket ban by the nation's networks was linked to network concerns about what connected TV would mean for their business model. 

Nori Takahiro, chief executive of Sukedachi, a marketing services firm, told Campaign Asia-Pacific, that the move was understandable.

"The device allows viewers to skip out online and viewership might fall enough to threaten the broadcasters," he said.

Despite the ban, Takahiro noted that Japanese consumers already knew about the product via online news and social media. "Panasonic won the exposure without any investment for television commercials, which is impressive," he observed.

more http://www.warc.com/LatestNews/News/EmailNews.news?ID=31652&Origin=WARCNewsEmail&utm_source=WarcNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WarcNews20130712

Read more at http://www.warc.com/LatestNews/News/EmailNews.news?ID=31652&Origin=WARCNewsEmail&utm_source=WarcNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WarcNews20130712#UdsErhszSquFwlU6.99