Investigating the Paranormal Investigations Phenomenon?

Question

Trying to backtrack who is promoting the current rage for paranormal investigations I've run into an equipment problem. I don't have a television set, so I can't watch the commericals to see who's advertising during the shows.

Following the money, the small-fry seem to be focusing on CD courses, tee-shirts, training and story-books, and videos, both training and experiencial ghost story material. There's also the online 'university' folks, as you'd expect. Nobody yet seems to be selling badges, laminated ID cards, or equipment holsters and suitcases with decals.

But the real money on the Internet seems to go to Circuit City and Sony Corporation through equipment links.

I gather there are a number of regular programs nudging this bidness along and subtly promoting it. I'd expect them to be sponsoring the shows.

What companies buy commercial time and advertise their products during ghost-hunter episodes on television?

Answer 1

The current rage is due to the popularity of the television show "Ghost Hunters". This group started out like everyone else, but now has their own television show. This has created a massive following of new groups to try and duplicate this feat (becoming famous) in various attempts with books, local television or newspaper reports.

The problem is that this was a popular field before this show. It's just that it's now exploded to the point of saturation.

There have been many groups that sell courses, badges, books and equipment, but no one is marketing them on television. The large media does not hold a supportive view of this field and such it would not appeal to big box stores to market these devices to the loose cannon groups.

There are a few online "stores" (ghost mart) that sell equipment geared toward paranormal investigators, but since none of this equipment is actually designed for this field you end up paying a hefty markup to buy through someone else.

There is a negative sense toward the field of amateur paranormal investigation from the public (who is finally seeing them for what they truly are) as well as the professionals who study this field from a true scientific standpoint (Parapsychologists). So, I don't see these tools getting a large market approach. EMF detectors on phones as well as gimick cameras and other non-functional investigating equipment becomes popular every year around Halloween.

Answer 2

If you type in ghost hunting or telekinesis into search for questions.You'll see some advertising.I guess the companies can afford to advertise on Yahoo.TV may be beyond there means.For now anyway.

Answer 3

What ya need in someone out there that could build a better mouse trap.  Or look in some old barns for grampa's EMF detector.  Back in the day tubes were the craze.  You'd need a back pack to Carry it around with ya.  But Tubes is what our space program started out with, and that equipment is still out there.  So let us change the equipment available to common man to something other than tubes, so we can hear those faint signals from deep-deep-space.  Sorry that this has nothing to do with the question :)

Answer 4

I think it's a grass roots/internet movement. I watch Ghosthunters (TAPS) and I've never seen an ad for ghost hunting equipment or for ghost hunting organizations. From what I know of ghost hunting equipment, you can't buy it at Circuit City or Best Buy. The off-the-shelf equipment like EMF detectors or thermal scanners can be bought at scientific supply houses and the like, but you have to know where to look since they don't advertise. I think there are a couple ghost / paranormal enthusiast magazines as well and I'm sure they carry all sorts of ads for the current arsenal of popular ghost hunting equipment.

Answer 5

I'm sure the TV shows are making plenty by phone-in voting etc. These shows unfortunately go for showman type psychics - who enevitably chase the money once they've got a name - writing books and making spin off series.

I've found this stuff goes in waves - along with TV.

I'm in Scottish Paranormal (uk) from before the recent hype of TV. I was aware of the plumbers from TAPS when they started - and they are a keen team.

What we are trying to do is ride the storm - as it will eventually die down to the core team again. We are actually ducking out of being nominated for the awards this year - because we don't want the publicity TAPS are getting.

We mostly use second hand kit anyway - and good old paper and pencil.

Look to IPI- the International Paranormal Investigators logo.

This will be vetted members from bonefide groups from around the world. Hopefully it will stamp out the bad practice of charging for services - We don't.

I give it another year in the UK- maybe 2 in the US before it goes quiet and TV turns it's attention to something else that is new and sparkly.