Note: This little rant puts me in mind of the recurring Late Night With Conan O’Brien sketch, Pierre Bernard’s Recliner of Rage.
I want to talk about a very important topic. No, not the collapsing economy, the bailout plan or any of the so-called issues of the day. I want to talk about TV.
On Saturday, Battlestar Galactica fans who normally watch the show on the SCI FI Channel’s Web site, were left wondering ‘where the frak is the show?’
According to internet chatter, the network has decided to make online viewers wait eight days before they can see the current episode. Until now, viewers had to only wait three hours after the network airing to watch the show online.
So now, online viewers are forced to either buy episode 418 – “Deadlock” online at Amazon or iTunes, utilize more creative ways to find the show through peer to peer networks or streaming sites or… wait eight days to see the current episode.
Given that BSG’s fan base (geeks – of which I am admittedly one) are likely pretty tech savvy, you can guess what most of them are likely to do.
Why, in this age of readily available alternative viewing sources, would any TV network choose not to cater to their audience?
More importantly, why change the rules with only five episodes to go?
Until now, the network’s Web site allowed viewers to see the most recent three episodes for free (though you have to sit through advertisements) just hours after airing. This was the only way that many viewers who weren’t premium cable subscribers could keep up with the show.
Now the network is penalizing not only their online viewers (the freeloading leeches like myself who couldn’t afford to keep cable) but also the cable/satellite viewers who happened to miss the show and wanted to catch it online – an option that until this week, had always existed (at least since I’ve been watching).
That person has to now wait eight days to view the current episode. Which means that if said person wants to watch the episodes in sequence, and you kinda have to with this show, then they will have to either pony up cash to download it or constantly be a week behind.
It’s not like anyone is going to watch Episode 419 before 418.
An unintended consequence – alienating your fan base
By making viewers wait eight days, the channel has effectively crapped all over their biggest resource – fans.
A large portion of the show’s fans spend hours every week dissecting plot points, guessing at the show’s endgame, and talking all sorts of minutia that only a real BSG fan can enjoy.
This week, the network has effectively stopped many BSG fans from taking part in those online discussions, for fear of not wanting to see any spoilers. Okay, I’m probably being naïve here, assuming that most of the fans didn’t simply find the show minutes after it aired.
But still – bad move.
While some would say the network is giving away content and beggars can’t be choosers, I would argue otherwise.
This last minute move puts a bad taste in the mouths of all the viewers who feel screwed over. These are the people who buy the BSG DVD box sets each season even though they already saw every episode. This is a rabid fan base with strong feelings about their show. Yes, their show. There is a sense of ownership of this show that people have come to love. And that’s a GOOD THING. It’s a marketer’s dream!
These are the people who will convert others to check out the show on DVD and rent or buy it. They’ll get people to tune in to the spin-off series. They’ll be the people lining up opening day weekend for the inevitable BSG movie, buying the related merchandise. These are your fans!
And you’re holding them hostage for what? $2 per episode?
I was once in the camp of people who thought that the notion of reviving the 80’s series was a horrible idea. In fact, I didn’t catch on to the show until a year ago when some BSG fans urged me to give it a shot. I’m glad they did. I love it and haven’t missed an episode since. Until this week.
Bottom line, America? SCI FI network shouldn’t piss off rabid geeks who have long, long memories.
So, do fans have a right to be upset? Or should they just be happy that they can view the show for free. Or could you care less?
What say you?
Want BloggerDad delivered to your email every time I post? Well, you’re not alone. Join the literally tens of others who have already subscribed for free! Email not your thing? That’s okay, you can also subscribe via RSS – It’s also free.
Content is copyright 2009 BloggerDad.com. If you are reading this on any site other than www.Bloggerdad.com or your personal RSS reader, then you may be reading it on a site which steals content. And would you trust a site like that?
Maybe I’m missing the entire point with my comment here but what’s wrong with buying the episode from Amazon or iTunes?
Admittedly eight days does seem a little excessive. Perhaps they just pulled a Facebook.
Marc – WelshScribes last blog post..Link Love Friday
The move may be in response to Guild concerns that networks garner extra income from digital download and streaming video that the writers and actors don’t share. You know, those pesky residuals. Or not – I really don’t have a clue as to the inner workings of network executives. Whatever their thought process, I bet it boils down to the almighty dollar.
Regardless of the reason, networks SHOULD be leery of upsetting their fan base – with the economy continually tanking, they need every bit of loyalty (and the dollars that go with it) on their side.
I haven’t see the new BSG. I was fond of the old one when it aired, enough that I took several beatings from my brother when he wanted to watch something else and I wouldn’t change the channel – in our house, whoever was watching first had the say-so on programming. The bruises and looks of doom were totally worth it.
Hopefully the network will see the error of their ways, dodge the onrush of geek rage, and return to their viewer friendly policy…but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Kyddryns last blog post..What the…?
Networks, music labels – dudes aren’t getting it. It’s like their dog is dying and they’re continuing to starve it. You hit the nail right on the head too, Dave. The exact audience being alienated are the first ones capable of hopping on to bit torrent of finding the show in some other way. They won’t play the game the networks way, so the networks should just come off looking like the good guys and strengthen fanbase loyalty.
@Marc: The same person who canceled cable because they couldn’t justify the expense, is not likely to buy an A La Carte episode off iTunes at $2. Sure, it may be worth it for something you really want, but a whole season of a show could run you $40. Get all your favorite shows and you may as well have cable.
Writer Dads last blog post..Running Dialogue
I went through similar stuff (not the online things, but ratings and all that jazz before episodes were available online) with the show “The Highlander”. I feel your pain!
GreenJellos last blog post..Attention Teens!
@Sean: If you can’t justify the expense of cable then you’re probably not interested in watching that many TV shows or have learned to live without them so paying for individual shows you want to watch is not going to be anywhere near as expensive as a full blown cable subscription.
What’s one season of a TV show, 24 weeks? That’s $48. What’s the base cable subscription? Here in the UK you can get the basic Sky package for around £15 a month. On a 12 month minimum contract that’s already £180 (around $200).
Don’t get me wrong, I understand the frustration of having the rug pulled out from under your feet like that and it’s true they are not doing anything to nurture loyalty. However you were – and to an extent still are – getting it for “free”.
I am a rabid fan of reading….I did miss Bill Moyers Journal on Friday night and so will watch it tomorrow on my computer….I don’t think this is the same at all…
Maybe I should just not comment? NO Comment because this commenter doesn’t know what she is commenting about
Sorry David…I guess it is like listening to the super bowl on the radio?
Patricias last blog post..Confessions of a Practicing Self Advocate
One other thing to remember when it comes to Amazon is that international users can’t buy per episode via Amazon. All to do with their legal mumbo-jumbo but basically, because I live in Australia I can’t buy ANY of the TV shows Amazon makes available pay-per-download to US customers.
I agree that they are shooting themselves in the foot. In this day and age it’s TOO easy to get TV episodes for free. Shouldn’t they prefer fans to find those free episodes directly from their website where they can include their own advertising rather than from third-party sources?
Rebecca Laffar-Smiths last blog post..Book Review: George Singleton’s Pep Talks, Warnings & Screeds