Comparison Essay of Broadcasting and Cable and Salon.com

The two websites observed were Broadcasting and Cable, and Salon.com. Both websites offer a variety of informative resources to educate consumers on different aspects of multi-media.  Despite their mutual effort to provide a polished and well-informed perspective through media types, they also maintain an individualized approach that sets them apart from each other, as well as other similar websites. For the purpose of this assignment, I will primarily discuss the differences between the two websites, but also include their similarly conducive strategies for imparting factual news.

Broadcasting and Cable’s website appears to be somewhat visually bland. With very little color, or “attention grabbers” on its homepage it can be assumed that the aim is not for a younger demographic. The website offers four forms of mass media genres including: videos, photos, webcasts, and RSS. Additionally, it offers articles and blogs that focus on news and current political affairs. The website shows these resources in tabs at the top of the page in a drop-down format which allows you to click on any of the sub headings, which become visible once you place your curser on the main tab. Despite the large variety of topics offered on the B&C website, the topics are geared to a strictly informative news impact but appear to have less of an entertaining impact. For instance, when reading on the Fox stations new “X-Factor” series the article was relatively dry and stuck to the main necessities, informing the reader of specific facts of the incident. The article failed to include any sensational points or attention grabbing strategies making the article less appealing or eye catching to someone of my age bracket. To get a better idea of the information exhibited on the website, I also examined one of the seven types of the blogs provided, only to be further disappointed by its lack of enthusiasm, and tendency to appeal to a more subdued demographic pool. The majority of the topics discussed didn’t include any controversial topics. Likewise, the political, economic, and current events based material on the website implies that it is “designed for executives, seeking information about improving customer satisfaction and business performance” (B&C).

The Salon.com website; however displays vibrant colors that immediately grab your attention, once you hit the homepage of their site. The videos, and photos that are shown on the home page appeal to a younger demographic of people who identify more when catchy visuals are presented. Tabs are also offered that include topics on news, technology, life, food, movies, TV, and comics. In addition to the wide range of topics discussed, a lot of the topics discussed can even be deemed controversial (evident by an article on gay marriage, as well as other debatable subjects). At first, it appears that the website consists mostly of videos; however, links can be found at the bottom, as well as drop down menu buttons at the top that instantly direct you to articles. A picture or video usually accompanies each article, and helps consumers conceptualize whatever is being talked about. One article under a news heading, provided a video of a speech by Michael Moore, as well as background information above it, and finally, an offering to read the full transcript of the speech online was an additional option. After reading a second article on Mike Tyson, I was impressed by their mention of a public relation’s strategy used to help recover Tyson’s image. This interesting detail seems to go above and beyond the Cable and Broadcasting website’s angle, which sticks to predictable, yet educational details in their articles.  After this review we can also assume that the Salon website is aimed at a younger audience then the C&B website.

The most differentiating factor noticed between the two websites was their appeal to different consumers. As specified above, both websites used color or in Broadcasting and Cables’ websites case, lesser color, as well as specific themed content to appeal to their individual demographic audiences. While both websites are good at giving factual information in the media, Cable and Broadcasting generally stuck to a more predictable data format with raw facts that satisfy the needs of their targeted executives. The exception to this; however, can be seen in the videos section of their website which provides several clips of up-to-date shows which mirrors the format of the Solon’s home page. Likewise, the Salon’s website had more “eye catching” stories and also included information on topics such as food and comics which Cable and Broadcasting did not include. In spite of this, both websites covered their topics with attention to accuracy, providing thorough information and examples of every media type available. Finally, both websites had a drop-down menu option, which conveys an efficient and clean format for their websites.