AGN TV in Amarillo offers on-demand video news and information

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In the seven weeks since AGN TV was launched in Amarillo, Texas, video traffic at the new station has increased 1100 percent over video traffic at the company's Amarillo Globe News

Les Simpson, president of AGN Media and publisher of the Amarillo Globe-News, says AGN TV was designed to have a heavy emphasis on video and has posted more than 7,000 videos since the March 31 launch, 90 percent of which were produced by newsroom staff at the Amarillo Globe-News.

The site was created using responsive design, knowing that much of the site's traffic would come through mobile devices.

Simpson says statistics show that 50 percent of AGN TV's traffic comes from mobile devices, 30 percent from desktop computers and another 20 percent from tablets.  Those first two figures are just the opposite of traffic from the newspaper site where 50 percent of the traffic comes from desktops; 30 percent, mobile devices; and 20 percent, tablets.

When AGN Media, parent company of the Amarillo Globe-News, amarillo.com, Amarillo Magazine and other entities, decided to launch AGN TV, it felt that there was an unfilled niche in the marketplace.

Simpson said they aren't trying to imitate the local TV stations.  Instead, he said: "We think there's a video niche that's smaller than YouTube, but bigger than your Facebook friends."

As an example of the power of AGN TV, he cited a large dust storm that residents of Amarillo recently experienced.  By 3 p.m. that day, he said AGN TV had already posted nine videos with coverage of the storm – before local TV stations had even begun their on-air reports.  On average, Simpson said AGN TV posts 15 videos a day, and invites local readers and non-profit organizations to post their videos as well.

In addition to video, AGN TV produces its own news and television shows, with local television journalist Jay Ricci serving as the station's anchor.

Currently, AGN TV is commercial free, but that will change next month, when paid advertising will be added to the site.  In addition to digital ads, local businesses also will have the opportunity to have their own channel on the site, Simpson said.  "Unlike traditional TV or newspapers, there aren't any rules here," he said.  Advertising opportunities are wide open, he said.

The entire newsroom staff is involved in producing content for the site.  In addition to writing articles and taking photographs for the newspaper, reporters for the Amarillo Globe-News shoot video for AGN TV.  They have been trained to use the station's video editing tools, and digital production staff also is available to assist.

Amarillo, Simpson, AGN TV
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