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Should TV Networks Put Pilots Online For Judgement Like Amazon Is Doing?

Posted by Soulskill on from the prime-time-programming-brought-to-you-by-4chan dept.

An anonymous reader writes "EW debates how broadcasters might (and might not) benefit from letting the Internet help decide which of their pilots get series orders (like Amazon is doing with their new original content efforts). If NBC had posted its pilots online, would we have been spared 'Animal Practice'? It's an interesting idea, but not without faults: 'According to Nielsen’s research, the vast majority of TV viewing is still on a traditional set. Having pilots judged by online viewers would give networks a skewed sense of what might work in the fall — the entire broadcast schedule might be nothing but sci-fi shows, tween-lit adaptions and whatever Joss Whedon wants to do ... "If something isn’t picked up, for whatever reason, but people really liked it, that could be a problem," one network insider said. "Or if people hated something, and we pick it up — again, for whatever reason — you’re starting off on a bad note." ... Noted a major network programming researcher: "Great pilots don’t always make great television series." Conversely, if you’re a network executive, you usually don’t need millions of people to tell you a show sucks."

9 of 128 comments (clear)

  1. Only if... by Beorytis · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...they follow Bennett Haselton's forthcoming advice on how to improve the process.

  2. "traditional set" by 0100010001010011 · · Score: 3, Informative

    I watch all of my TV on a traditional set.... through a HTPC running XBMC. All my shows grabbed using SickBeard on a server. It's like a massive DVR machine. Also just added NetFlix to the mix for Movies and Arrested Development.

    1. Re:"traditional set" by Junta · · Score: 3, Insightful

      All my shows grabbed using SickBeard on a server.

      And the networks don't care one bit about your opinion as you provide them no revenue opportunity.

      --
      XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve the problem, use more.
    2. Re:"traditional set" by h4rr4r · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Because they don't offer a product he wants.

      If HBO would offer an rss feed to torrents of Game Of Thrones that they approve of, I would pay far out the ass. I will pay slightly less for HBO go without cable, and nothing at all for HBO on cable.

    3. Re:"traditional set" by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I'm paying for HBO on cable because I am willing to pay for what they offer, but I still get their stuff via SickBeard and watch it off my NAS because it's way more convenient. Something for them to think about.

      --
      If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
  3. Don't need people to tell you? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Conversely, if you’re a network executive, you usually don’t need millions of people to tell you a show sucks."

    As history has shown, clearly the Fox executives *do*

    1. Re:Don't need people to tell you? by JMJimmy · · Score: 3, Informative

      I would disagree with this. Firefly is the perfect example - the ratings where horrible but the box set sales were phenomenal, I worked at a video store when it was released, it was one of the most profitable TV rentals in the store behind Sopranos. Farscape is another example... executives have no clue what to do with it because "it has puppets so it must be for kids" but then it also has adult plot lines - their answer: bury it. It probably would have done much better on DVD if they hadn't made the stupid choice of putting it on for $130-170 per season. Now it's $60 for the series and getting better reviews than SG1 which ran for 10 seasons + spin offs.

      Granted sci-fi isn't for everyone - there are a LOT of stupid people out there who would rather watch reality shows but geeks consume content like no other stereotype I know ;)

      The fact is that cult shows are breakout hits waiting to happen - they just need to be given the proper chance/venue/exposure.

  4. Use Standard Channels but for a Large # of Pilots by Araes · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Internet may give you a skewed audience, but there's nothing saying you couldn't just create a large base set of pilots, show all the pilots during a set of "Preview Weeks!" at the beginning of the year, or over the summer, and then pick up those ones that poll well or reasonably for the fall semester.

  5. Re:First let me buy your shows without cable by hedwards · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Bullshit.

    When my parents first signed up for cable it cost $5 a month during the mid '80s. There were about 30 stations available. When they canceled their Cable in favor of DirecTV the selections were like 70 and the cost per month had risen to about $70 a month, IIRC. The cost of the cabling was mostly paid for in the '80s and the maintenance should be substantially less than the cost of putting out all the cable, especially given the crap quality.

    So, my question is, what precisely is it that caused the cost of the service to increase by over 1000%? Because it sure as hell wasn't the result of them spending more money on service alone.