As we move into December and New Year’s, there are a lot of stories we can lead with, get an idea of what is going on in pop culture, and address pressures that communities are facing at the moment. There is no doubt that mainstream media is under pressure, even to the point that CNN, the worlds leading news network went up for sale and nobody wanted to buy it, because these networks are losing a lot of money and people know it. One of the ways forward is to stay sharp and relevant for the viewer, and it’s crucial to avoid the propensity to rest on your laurels. Complacency is not an option in these challenging times. 

Gaming

Gaming is big in pop culture at the moment. First up, we will look at the PS5 Pro. There is a lot of mixed responses to the new console by PlayStation but when we review the company’s own release trailer they do say several times the gamer chooses how they want to play. Every new console is always different and as these differences will show reviewers that are just going through the motions, i.e., providing surface-level information without delving into the details, and not doing a deep dive into what those changes are. When you do find good channels (YouTube) or reviewers, make a note for future needs.

PlayStation has repeatedly said that gamers must choose the experience they want. They even state it again in the above video within the first 20 seconds. Knowing your stuff around what is in pop culture at the moment is important because people buy presents. Some will know what they want to get, the point is you don’t want to look like a washed-up has been, by not knowing. Another way of viewing the PS5 Pro is by viewing it as a lifestyle appliance review for your viewers if you want to look at it that way. Reviewing an appliance for the home, be it lifestyle or general daily life, should be done at least once a month. Again, to reiterate, it makes you look cutting edge and not as “has been.” 

The new PS5 Pro is not just an 8K option, it also offers a 4K option for those whose TVs support it better. We’ve delved into the difference between 4K and 8K if you need a refresher. Importantly, the PS5 Pro’s capabilities are set to drive the demand for 8K TVs, shaping the future of gaming technology. Check out the video below for insights on how this demand could evolve. 

Further Gaming Ideas

IGN has a list of upcoming gaming movies and TV shows that would cover entertainment. Some gamers have had concerns about AI in gaming and the future of that feature, The Sims 5 was recently cancelled due to concerns about AI, which was the basis of their idea. Writing and new laws around using people’s images means they aren’t free to do what they want, which is a win for actors. 

Any gaming, like gifts, memberships for gifts such as EA or an annual Playstation membership, which includes iCloud saving are great ideas. An important idea to mention here , that shouldn’t be overlooked, is scamming and giving out credit card details. It’s crucial to be cautious and not give out your details. It’s reassuring to know that Google, Playstation, Apple and a lot more offer cards that can be purchased from supermarkets and big chains, providing a safe and secure payment option. Any tips you have to avoid scams would be big.

Building a new audience base

Some mainstream media are trying to reach a new audience base. But to be honest, some of your editorials are just boring. Any market will change every 3-5 years, and your reach will take 12 months to snowball. And even scarier is that some mainstream media’s social media is not maintained. In addition, some high-level celebrities have even been condescending to their fans. Who do they think pays for their lifestyle?
Our commitment is to adapt to the market monthly, ensuring our content remains fresh and relevant. This approach is crucial in keeping our audience engaged and interested. 

Further ideas for this time of year

The idea of budget means different things to different people, for instance someone on $65,000 a year wouldn’t think twice about spending $400 on decorations, food and other items, (I wouldn’t include presents in that amount because some do blow the budget and vacations). Others with 10 x that income would comfortably spend $2000 on the same items but I would guess that combined that would be 30-35% of your audience. So let’s break that down;

1. Decorations and food. $20 or an extra $50 on decorations and lights could be a big splurge with the remainder, with food on top. But some would be sitting at $0 due to the cost of living. That percentage is usually 10-20%, which supermarkets allow for with generic products.
2. Break your audience into the 10-20% at zero dollars and the middle sitting at 50% with the comfortable range sitting at 30% and that is been conservative , it could be worse. To maintain and improve audience hit everyone. Folks with zero dollars would love ideas on how to decorate their table using vintage themes, using what they have at home (a two coloured theme like red and white), and a more formal idea—teaching how to do things and get crafty which would be a huge bonus. This not only saves money but also sparks creativity and resourcefulness.
3. Teach them to buy in season. Of course no one is going to get more change out of $20 buying out of season fresh produce. By buying in season, you can make significant savings and stretch your budget further, making you feel financially savvy and responsible.

Another consideration is some people are lonely and lack community. What are some ideas that they can do over the season? Some ideas include different faiths and needs, but busting it with chefs to create cheap menus and community activities. Brainstorm. Most people enjoy fun, entertainment, community and so on. You have plenty of ideas, including New Year’s, to keep everyone engaged with you over the next few weeks. Let’s shake it up and change those ratings and be boring no more! You can do it!