As the year comes to a close, here are my thoroughly researched predictions for 1993. These are based on a variety of news sources and memorandums from industry contacts. I am not a financial advisor and can accept no responsibility for any business investments made based on the following informations.
1. ‘Smart’ Hi-Fi’s
Next year will see the introduction of a PSTN phone line into your home stereo. This will unlock new functionality for the system, allowing you to take your calls in surround sound. You’ll be blasting out big hits from Snap!, Shakespears Sister or Charles & Eddie one minute and speaking to your family or dialling the talking clock the next. Never again will you argue over promises made in passing conversation as your cassette tape deck’s record feature enables a personal documentation of every call.
2. 1993-D
Universal adoption of 3D technologies has been a long time coming, from Sir Charles Wheatestone’s first invention of the ‘stereoscope’ right through to 1983’s cinematic release of Jaws 3-D a decade ago. The BBC will be the trailblazer for this renewed trend in 1993 with a week of 3D programming including special editions of Tomorrow’s World, Doctor Who and Noel’s House Party. The revolution will be televised, stock up on acetate specs today!
3. Invest in Meat Loaf
It may be hard to believe that an artist whose last studio album was in 1986 is staged to make a major comeback in 1993. Michael Lee Ady, a.k.a Meat Loaf has been locked away in a studio, working with his previous collaborator, the legendary producer Jim Steinman on Bat Out o Hell II: Back into Hell a direct sequel of sorts to his smash 1977 debut. It is said that the lead single will be a rollicking 12 minute power ballad entitled ‘I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)’.
4. Tele-Networking
Since its introduction in the 1970’s, Teletext (and the BBC’s Ceefax service) has provided a wealth of information at the touch of multiple buttons to households across the nation. In 1993 a major update will allow families to interact further with these screens in order to create their own ‘profile’, then browse and/or “connect” with the listings of their friends and relatives. Some Government departments have already raised concern about the addictive potential of this content.
5. Turning Japanese
Producer Haim Saban is developing a new TV series (for release in 1993) adapting footage from the long running Japanese show Super Sentai, something previously attempted by Marvel Comics’ visionary Stan Lee. Saban will interlace the source material with original scenes filmed with a US cast, reminiscent in tone to NBC’s Saved By The Bell. The robots and masked costumes of Super Sentai will lend themselves to a range of toys and merchandising opportunities, similar to that seen with Kenner’s Star Wars and Mattel’s Masters of the Universe lines.
If you would like to share your predictions for 1993, please send them via Fax to the number listed on my business card or letterhead from previous correspondence.
Liam Toms 