The Genius Box

The Genius Box provides a concise overview of the evolution of the television set. As sets have evolved from a vacuum-tube powered receiver to one of today's key internet-connected digital devices, what does this mean to the television ecosystem's main stakeholders today and into the future?

Applying his quarter century of experience in television and media research,  David Tice uses a combination of history and contemporary data to weave the complex story of the evolution of the television set and television business, sprinkling in a mix of reminiscing and personal opinion to add color to the story. Written to appeal to those new to the television industry as well as those with more experience, The Genius Box discusses each key television stakeholder - the audience, content creators, content distributors, advertisers, measurement companies, consumer electronics companies, and the government - in detail.

The TV set, despite the most-present and most-watched device in the home, became an afterthought in wake of recent digital advances. However, the emergence of connected and smart TVs has brought the TV set back to prominence. How this happened, and what it means in the future for viewers and the television business, is examined in The Genius Box: How the "Idiot Box" Got Smart – And Is Changing the Television Business.

Applying his quarter century of experience in television and media research, author David Tice uses a combination of history and contemporary insights to weave the complex story of the evolution of the television set and the TV business, sprinkling in a mix of reminiscing and personal opinion to add color to the story. "The TV set became an almost-forgotten technology as the world focused on computers, smartphones, and tablets. Now smart TVs are bringing TV sets into the internet's digital ecosystem." says Tice. "This book helps put these important changes into context for TV's various stakeholders – those on the business side as well as the most important – the viewers."

Early reviews of The Genius Box have been positive. It's "the definitive textbook on the television medium and the business of television" – former head of research of a leading TV network. An "amazing job of wrangling a lot of non-linear issues into a narrative" – senior media and advertising researcher.

A first time author, David C. Tice is Principal of TiceVision LLC, a media research consultancy, and publishes a blog about media trends and research at TiceVision.com. For a quarter of a century, David has overseen the design, implementation, and analyses of television and media research projects for many well-known television networks, media companies, industry associations, sports leagues, and media agencies.

A thought leader in research around media adoption and use, his work has been recognized numerous times through industry awards, selection to present at industry conferences, and mentions in industry press. David's research has given him a unique vantage point for observing the emergence of new television/media technologies and services in the home, their impact on the ownership and use of existing television devices, their marketing potential, and consumers' evolving perceptions of television.

Prior to opening his consulting practice, David worked for GfK (a top-10 global research company), as well as GfK predecessor companies Knowledge Networks (KN) and Statistical Research, Inc. (SRI). Prior to media research, he had a 10-year career in aerospace engineering. David received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern California and a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Management.

Currently a resident of Scotch Plains, NJ, where he has lived for more than twenty years, he shares a home with his wife Melissa, son Philip, and three cats. David was born in Canada but grew up mostly in New Jersey, where he acquired his abiding love for television. He has also lived in Los Angeles and in Newport News, VA.