Why So Surprised that a Grandma is Listening to Your Podcast?

I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Triforce, a while ago when I heard them discussing their extreme surprise that someone's grandmother was listening to their podcast.  While it's true that the talent are all in their mid to late 30s and the content can be over the top at times, I was dismayed that they had such an antiquated view of grandmothers.  They implied that grandparents are doddering, old women.  This certainly hit a nerve with me!

I am a 66 year old grandmother, but I am very active.  Our kids say that their parents have a much more active social life than they do because we are always going somewhere, doing things with friends of all ages, and interested in a variety of things.  I do remember when I was young and thought that people in their 60s were really old.  We definitely are older, but I think that aging has changed in our current society.  More of us are active, vital, contributing adults later in life!  Using technology is certainly one of the things that has changed our lives for the better, and many of us embrace its use and what it offers us.

As I started musing about Podcasts and demographics, I had to do a little research to see what the stats were about Podcasts.  According to Podcastinsights.com, there are over 750,000 podcasts!  That's a lot of content being created.  Edison Research tells us that "51% of Americans 12+ have ever listened to a podcast, with 32% having listened in the past month, and 22% in the past week...Although all key demographics grew, much of the increase in podcasting has come from Americans age 12-24."  

Credit: Infinite Dial 2018

As the graph shows, listening to podcasts occurs during many parts of the day.  Most listen at home like I do, but a large percentage listen in their cars or at work.  My husband listens while exercising.  Podcasts can fit into lives in many different ways so people of all ages should be able to find a way to enjoy them.

Podcast listeners subscribe to an average of 6 shows and 19% of us speed them up (Podcastinsights.com).  I subscribe to 27 different podcasts.  I listen to all of them with Smart Speed which shortens silences.  Some of them I listen to at 1 1/2 speed.  My son listens to a lot of podcasts at double speed but I haven't been able to get used to that!

I think that podcast creators need to recognize that seniors are an untapped demographic.  I am hoping that more and more will discover how much fun listening to podcasts can be.  I think they're definitely missing out by not exploring this form of media and content.  So, Content Creators, grandmas like me won't be pidgeonholed into antiquated stereotypes of gray haired grannies knitting in our rocking chairs.  We're out here ready to learn new things, stay current, and be entertained!

Have you found your tech joy today?

#Blaugust2019

The Gray Network

I was listening to one of my podcasts, Tea Time with Katie & Chelsea, today where the hosts were talking about how they have recommendations from friends about TV shows to watch.  However, there are some that they know they will never watch. As they discussed the various shows that friends had recommended to them and why they wouldn't be watching them, I was surprised by a reference to age. One of the hosts doesn't like sitcoms very much and doesn't like shows on CBS which she referred to as "The Gray Network".

I know that network TV isn't very popular with millenials to begin with.  However, I was really surprised to hear that CBS has a reputation that it appeals to the senior demographic!  Don't get me wrong.  I wasn't offended.  In fact, I don't think I watch any shows from that network either.  I tend to like ABC for most of my network shows with a couple from NBC and FOX.  But this comment made me question: Is CBS really geared toward older watchers?

I started wondering why seniors would be attracted to CBS so I decided to look at their lineup.  I was struck by the fact that the majority of shows are sitcoms or police procedurals.  This seems like what I liked to watch when I was much younger.  Sitcoms reigned supreme at that time, but they don't hold my interest anymore.  I can see why CBS doens't appeal to me.  I like the dramas that keep me guessing on ABC and the high production TV found on HBO and STARZ.  Why did I never realize that I have moved on from "The Gray Network"?

I believe that there should be a wide variety of TV offerings and that people should choose whatever they find interesting and enjoyable.  While I really don't know if the demographics for CBS skew toward seniors, I just know that it's not for me.  I find it interesting that CBS has the reputation that it does.  I'm starting to wonder if there is any correlation between how technological viewers are and the choices they make when watching TV.  It would be a fascinating study!

For now, I'm finding that the TV selections have dried up for the summer.  I am looking forward to new and returning shows in the Fall and will be analyzing target demographics for networks more than I ever have before.  I just hope we all find something fun or interesting to watch.  I'm also interested to hear what you think about the idea that networks have an appeal for a certain age group. If this is true, are we seeing differences in marketing and advertising?   As always, it's fun to be more aware of these issues as we enter the Fall season of TV.

Have you found your Tech Joy today?

#BlaugustReborn

Are You Kidding Me?

When I checked my email this morning, I had the usual emails from companies that I sometimes use for online purchases or receipts by email.  I didn't think too much about an email from Best Buy that had a subject line: NEW: Tech for Seniors.  After all, it is the time of year to see back-to-school specials.  I thought that this was probably an advertisement for seniors in high school who were needing technology.  Was I wrong!!!

When I opened up the email, this is the picture I saw!
  I don't usually rant, but I immediately had a reaction to the picture of the older woman.  She's attractive so they picked a good model, but it certainly wasn't the age group I was expecting.  And then I read the verbiage: Feel safe, connected, and confident.  I am certainly not the intended audience since I use technology constantly, but I am 65 years old and was really disturbed by these ads.  For one thing, this is playing on fear by inferring that seniors have an increased need of safety.  Even the model they chose was purposeful to promote this concept because this woman looks very competent. I just don't buy the premise that her fearlessness is due to the "simple and smart tech" that Best Buy hopes to sell to her!  I decided to go deeper to see what products they were hoping to sell to seniors.

Imagine my surprise when I found that as a senior, I am in need of medical alert devices (send the ambulance-I'm having a heart attack), special earbuds to amplify speech since I must be losing my hearing (what did you say?), and monitoring systems so my family can keep track of me (I've fallen and I can't get up)! 

I must also be losing my eyesight so I need big buttons, and please keep it simple because I can no longer understand complex systems.

Can you believe that this is called GrandPad?  Obviously, this senior doesn't do much with technology. 

I was pretty amazed that these ads thought so little of the capabilities of seniors.  Do I think these products are bad?  Certainly not!  There may come a time when I may need some, if not all, of these items.  However, the seniors who are starting to age to the point where these are necessary are not going to be looking at these ads on their computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, or even email anyway.  And then it dawned on me: these ads are for the children of seniors!!!

The marketing content for the GrandPad is what really clued me in:

This is when I was really insulted!  It is hard to care for aging parents.  I know!  I've been there.  I resent this company for promoting ageism and the belief that seniors are not technologically inclined.  I think it's wrong for them to incite and play on the fears of adult children who care about and for their parents.  It's time for some understanding of what it's like to grow older!

We should be sending the message to seniors that technology is for everyone and that there are many options available for them to choose from depending on their comfort, interests, and needs.  I believe in our ability as seniors to learn new things and embrace new ideas.  So, I'm hoping to see more hopeful, positive ads about new smart phones, streaming services, and computers/laptops/tablets with learning opportunities available.  It would be great to see ads that offer multi-generational learning opportunities using cutting-edge technology.  I choose to see possibilities not deterrents to seniors embracing and staying involved in technology, because technology is a joyful tool for staying engaged!  I hope advertisers can become more forward-thinking in their quest for the senior dollar and that we all can examine any ads we see with informed eyes to reject ageism.  I certainly will!

Have you found your Tech Joy today?

#BlaugustReborn