Entertainment

Throughout the internet there are a mass of services and sites set up to entertain the consumer and entice them into either purchasing or using the sight/software. Entertainment range throughout a number of services some which have been around for a number of years, however recently have migrated onto the web and may now be accessed at any time by an end user, these are; Radio, Games, Streamed Video and Online TV.

The idea of moving these services to the internet has major benefits to both the consumer and distributer. The benefits of consumers visiting the sites allow for the promotion of other goods, and companies using the sites as a promotional outlet make similarly creates an income as there is a charge for advertisement within sites. This is just one reason for site migrating services, however it is without doubt that the main benefit is received by the customer using the site.

Radio has been moved onto the internet, and has been on the internet for a number of years. The internet grants Radio the means to allow there consumers to listen whenever they want and catch up on special features missed within previous shows. The BBC radio website is a great example of website linking all the BBC radio services from one main hub allowing the consumer to cycle through the various stations and listen to the current show.

Games have been on the internet for years. Both recreational and educational games exist within the internet and all appear within an array of sites featuring different selection of games. The renowned leader of browser games is the website Miniclip. Here users may access the vast selection of games and find old classics to new releases. Gaming online has also again been incorporated to the BBC website in the form of education within the BBC Bitesize website. Here consumer may use the games to aid in there educational learning whilst having fun at the same time. Gaming is a major outlet for millions worldwide and due to this is marketing hub in its own. The use of marketing within gaming sites is vast and the sites rapidly see a influx of business within those who promote within them.

Streamed Video is an area of entertainment within the internet like no other. Websites such as YouTube and iPlayer allow customers to watch video and pre recorded programmes at the click of a button at their own convenience. Streamed video has been applied to many services and can be seen throughout clothing stores such as ASOS and with electronic distributer such as Play. Again online promotion is a big part of the success of websites. YouTube is one of the most used website daily within the world, and due to this the makers take millions in revenue thanks to advertising costs. Streamed video can be seen as an essential to the online community and provides all consumers with an indication and taster of many products from console games to recently released movie trailers.

The use of Online TV and Streamed Video is very similar. Online TV works on the bases of an Online feed whilst, streamed video is an uploaded and shared file. Online TV has become successful as it allows for a mass of digital TV services to be viewed, with mere access to the internet. Online TV is often a subscription service however Sky television recently allowed free online viewing of the Ashes Cricket games to all Sky TV customers. Online TV to many has become an essential and is a service set to expand within the near future.