Why I Started TVForSeniors.com
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man
Follow me on X or Facebook
Last April, I thought I was done with web publishing. My site, TVAnswerMan.com, which once generated millions of views a year, had collapsed thanks to a new Google search algorithm which favored Artificial Intelligence and penalized small independent sites. TV Answer Man’s monthly traffic had fallen to less than 60,000 views a month.
But as I tried to ease into retirement – which basically consisted of watching more movies and expanding my exercise regimen at the gym – I noticed I continued to get inquiries from readers, particularly older readers. The questions, which came in person and via e-mail, reflected a great frustration about rising TV bills and increasingly complicated TV products (streaming, etc.) and features.
What stood out most is that many older viewers expressed that they had nowhere else to turn for help besides asking a young relative (son, daughter, grandkid, etc.) or acquaintance. And some said they were tired of having to ‘bug’ their kids whenever their picture started buffering or their TV provider hiked their subscription fees. I distinctly remember one friend at the gym tell me that he could feel his son’s eyes roll when he would call for TV advice.
So after some careful deliberation, and discussions with the wife, I decided in August to come back and start TVForSeniors.com. The site’s guiding motto came to me very quickly:
‘Stop Asking Your Kids For TV Advice’
Yes, senior America, it’s time to stop. STOP ASKING YOUR KIDS FOR TV ADVICE! Your kids love you, but they shouldn’t be your default tech support. And you shouldn’t have to feel like a burden every time you want to watch something in peace.
That’s exactly why I started TVForSeniors.com.
I built this site for people who want clear, patient, no-jargon help with today’s TVs and streaming technology. No rushing. No eye-rolling. No condescending. No assuming you already know what HDMI or “casting” means, as many journalists seem to assume in their stories.
I want to turn you into a genuine tech guru, someone who can tell your kids a few things they might not know.
Every TV For Seniors article is written the way you’d want someone to explain it to you face-to-face. We skip the buzzwords or translate them the moment they appear. We identify those confusing acronyms such as HDR (High Dynamic Range) in each article. You’ll understand why something works, not just which button to press.
Want to set up a new Smart TV? Connect a streaming stick? Fix a blank screen? We break it down into simple numbered steps with photos and screenshots that match what you’ll see on your own screen.
Senior-Focused Recommendations
We discuss TVs, streaming devices, soundbars, and remotes with your needs in mind: large, readable menus, simple remotes, reliable picture quality, easy voice control, and value for money. No hype about features you’ll never use.
And if you still have an issue, you can ask The TV Answer Man himself (ME!) (swann@tvanswerman.com) and I’ll respond with a clear and succinct answer.
What About Google Search?
Now, I have no illusions about Google and the other search engines such as Bing, Yahoo Search and DuckDuckGo.com. (Google has about 90 percent of the market.) In the beginning, TV For Seniors will be starved for readers. The site is currently publishing articles for an audience that doesn’t know it exists. And many readers who used to come to TVAnswerMan.com every day for multiple news updates on 4K TV, DIRECTV, the streaming business, etc., will likely be disappointed to find senior-friendly guides. So I am resigned to the fact that it will take some time to build an audience.
But I strongly believe the audience is there – and criminally underserved. Most web sites ignore the 55+ category (yes, we define the senior audience as anyone over 55.) because it doesn’t fit their ideal advertising demographic. But older viewers need good TV advice as much, if not more, than anyone else. And TV For Seniors is dedicated to empowering them.
I Need YOUR Help
Lastly, I want to ask you to spread the word. Let people know about TV For Seniors, particularly the older viewers in your life. Tell them they now have a place to turn for help. This site can be a success, and a public service for so many older Americans, if we all work together.
Many thanks. And, as always, Happy viewing and stay safe!
Phillip Swann, TV Answer Man
Have a question? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com
The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.
