Multi-entertainment systems can bring benefits for operators
THE humble pub jukebox has come a long way in recent years.
Suppliers have told SLTN that advances in digital technology mean the equipment is capable of far more than simply playing music, bringing more benefits for operators.
Mike Black, director of jukebox manufacturer Sound Leisure, said there is growing demand from operators for equipment that can perform more than one function.
“Increasingly, we found that pub managers wanted to be able to run quizzes or bingo, but didn’t always have the facilities or the budgets to organise them themselves,” he said.
“Our jukeboxes can either create a completely automated quiz and call the questions, or in some pubs they use the jukebox to provide the questions, which include music clips, and then they do the rest themselves.
“This saves the cost of providing a PA system or getting someone in to run the quiz or bingo.”
And the range of options the equipment can offer doesn’t stop there.
As well as quiz and bingo programmes, digital jukeboxes can be used to create specialist playlists around particular dates, for use at ‘70s or ‘80s nights for example, or around a particular anniversary or celebration; they can also carry advertising for events or promotions.
George Watson, sales director at Touchmaster, which supplies entertainment system Barmaster to pubs and clubs across Scotland from its Glasgow office, said multi-entertainment systems are a cost-effective way for operators to enhance their business.
“Systems such as the Barmaster offer the trade traditional pub entertainment at the touch of a screen,” he said.
“Features include all the usual suspects: karaoke, bingo, race nights, automated DJ, quizzes and advertising; as well as this the Barmaster can also be used as a coin-operated jukebox.
“The key benefits of the Barmaster are in-house and extremely cost-effective entertainment all at the touch of a screen.
“This not only allows a venue to access quality entertainment 24/7 but, crucially, it can be used on an impromptu basis – for instance, after any live football game [licensees can] run two races then put on the automated DJ Master.
“Most venues that use our system are literally pulling pints whilst the Barmaster entertains – it really is that good and easy to use.”
And it seems the technology is continuing to develop.
A recent three-way partnership between Sound Leisure, software supplier Soundnet, and online music service Last.fm has seen the creation of an ‘app’ which allows pub customers to access their Last.fm profiles on the pub jukebox, including their most listened-to tracks. It even allows them to ‘book’ a playlist at the pub and invite their friends to join them on a specific night.
“By enabling access to playlists created at home and offering suggestions on track selections, the customer experience is more personal and interactive,” Black said.
James Luck, spokesperson for Soundnet, said operators stand to benefit from offering consumers the right music, but the potential to generate revenues “increases substantially” when they make full use of the equipment.
“It’s coming to the point where customers expect a digital jukebox in their pub,” he said.
