News consumption in times of crisis –
New Media usage and the Arab Spring
Rufus Weston Senior Digital Insights
Manager
Falko Mortiboys Senior Digital Insights
Executive
2
241,000,000
BBC Global News
3
TV Radio and online
BBC Global News
BBC Arabic.comMany ways to access
Text VideoAudio
YouTube
Mobile Widgets
Online Video Sites
Website & Mobile Site
Content Syndication
Partners
SMS Alerts
Mobile Internet
Radio Apps
IVR
Socia
l M
ed
ia S
ites
New Media usage and the Arab Spring
First peak in website usage: Ben Ali’s departure
Ben Ali leaves Tunisia
Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma
Egypt: Record audiences
Ben Ali leaves Tunisia
Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation
Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma
Live TV Streaming crucial for Audiences
Ben Ali leaves Tunisia
Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma
Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation
Strong Increase in Social Media Mentions
Ben Ali leaves Tunisia
Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma
Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation
From Egypt to Libya
Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation
1st air strikes against Libya
Beginning of Libya protests
Japan earthquake
Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma
A case of user fatigue?
Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation
1st air strikes against Libya
Beginning of Libya protests
Japan earthquake
Arrest of Mubarak’s sons
Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma
A case of user fatigue? Not for mobile
Egypt protests & Mubarak’s resignation
1st air strikes against Libya
Beginning of Libya protests
Japan earthquake
Arrest of Mubarak’s sons
Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ma
Summary
To summarise: Liveness
• The story dictates the media that it will be consumed
• Story needs visual characteristics
• Mobile phones important device to maintain traction
• Key to users attention is ‘liveness’
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What is ‘Liveness’
Thank you
Rufus Weston Senior Digital Insights
Manager
Falko Mortiboys Senior Digital Insights
Executive