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How To Keep Favorite Shows from Being Cancelled - An Idea

posted 11 years ago by willhart-1
24 replies | jump to latest

My wife and I, both now retired, have a lifetime of experience with our favorite shows being cancelled, just when we are getting hooked.

We've actually reached a point where we are shocked when something we like isn't quickly cancelled.

But that doesn't make it any better when shows like Almost Human, Stargate Universe, Terra Nova, or Firely, etc., get dumped by any network.

We do understand though, that in this day and age, with all the entertainment options available to everyone, and the ability to skip or delete commercials and other advertising through devices like Tivo, advertisng revenues are way down for all networks (being now spread over hundreds of channels).

We also understand that all networks exist as profit-making and growing businesses; and that any program that does not have a higher Return on Investment (ROI) than a savings account or long-term investment program will always be dropped to try something else that will make more money for the company.

So my wife and I have tried to think of something that we as fans could do to help keep our favorite shows running for a very long time; rather than being dumped just when they are getting good.

Our answer is simple.

Let us subscribe monthly to a specific show; with automatic payments of $5 or $10 or so per month through PayPal, or another subscription service.

Not a blanket payment for the entire network, but money just for the show we want to support.

What would happen if one million fans of Almost Human put in $10 per month? Or even just $5 per month? Would most of us even notice $5 or $10 less in our pockets each month if it meant we got 24 episodes of our favorite shows each year?

And would 5 or 10 million dollars each month from a show's supporters change the entire system of what shows are created for the viewers who were voting with their direct deposit dollars? I think it would.

How do we start something like this to gives us control of our favorite shows with our wallets?

Will and Jean Hart
Fullerton, California

[–] PattRose1 11 years ago

@Will and Jean.

I like your idea. It makes a certain amount of sense, so therefore it would never work. I'm serious, they couldn't let anyone else be in control. Too bad something like this wouldn't work. I for one, would love paying 5 bucks a month for something I really enjoy.

I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one-John Lennon

[–] DaSeAl 11 years ago

This makes so much sense it's crazy. Love that idea and I would gladly see that happen.

Am I crazy? Absolutely not! Not even a little bit. But you should meet some of my other personas...

[–] Hei_Shibing 11 years ago

One of the most sensible posts I've read in a long time, but let me just point out a major flaw. These are some of the shows that I have watched:

Almost Human
Arrow
The Tomorrow People
Intelligence
Nashville
Revolution
The Blacklist
Person of Interest
The Big Bang Theory
The Goldbergs

I know, I know - I watch a lot of TV. The point is, these shows all overlapped in scheduling (within one calendar month), which would mean that if I wanted to watch all of them, I would have to pay $50 a month, and that's at your lower proposed rate of $5 per show! And what if I wanted to squeeze more shows into that? Also, I doubt that networks would allow us consumers to pay $5 a month when sites like Amazon and itunes charge something like $3 per episode

So, as I've said - I like your idea, but it doesn't really seem practical. But definitely, networks need to move beyond this stupid, out-dated, dinosaur of a rating system. We live in an internet age, they need to accept that and tap into it properly. That way, they can make their stinking money and we can enjoy our sci fi shows

That's what makes you an amalgam. Nailed it.

[–] krisdobo 11 years ago

And this is exactly why it won't work.
People don't just watch one show, they watch several. It's gonna cost a lot to pay for all the shows people like. Plus, when a shows rating lower, would you have to pay more to make up for the loss of numbers? Also, not everyone is going to pay. Only diehard fans will. the majority of people won't care enough to pay (or couldn't afford to), even if they like the show. It's a nice idea, but not practical.

[–] furyhunter 11 years ago

I can't see why it won't work, I chipped in on wil weatons quest for making a new tabletop season and so did alot of other people gathering 1.4M$ in 1 month, I can't see why networks couldn't do the same with their shows, not to be entirely based on croud funding (but maybe they could) but seeing 10's of thousands of fans chip in with just a buck tells them something, that fans are willing to pay for it, and doing like wil weaton did on indiegogo where if you donated x amount of $ you would get other cool stuff you then paid 5$ to get send world wide.

Like if you donated x$ you would get the show on DVD when it is released, and other perks like updates, soundtracks, posters or basically anything that is show related. People ARE willing to pay and a part of the cost is covered. This is a thing that alot of underground shows have utilized even a movie like "Iron Sky" had money they got elsewhere, but the big network's fail to use.

If this means that more shows will be available, I am for something like this gets taken in, and a shows like Almost Human I would gladly fund with money (and if they made it x$ do get DVD/BD I would pay x$ cause most likely I would get it on DVD when it got out anyways)

Sorry for any misspels but english isn't my first language :)

[–] rencikraljica 8 years ago

So lets say 2.000.000 people donated 5 dollar each.

You want posters and dvd's for all 2 mil people?That would cost 2x more than donation itself.

While you are dreaming of something that will never happen,would you like personal hug from every actor there is because you donate 10 dollars a month?

I swear people like you make me sick.

I donated money,but i want something in return...

Lets say they open donations.

Lets say tv show had 2 seasons.You and 1000 other people were hardcore fans,who supported and paid money every month,but show gets still canceled because your donation is not enough.

You see how easy was to use brain once of a change?Now you know why something like this is never going to happen.

What would happen then,if you were paying 10 dollars a month for 2 years,and show still got canceled?

Judging by your 'i gave you something,i expect something in return' mentality,you would be the first one to cry on the forums 'omg i paid money,they canceled my tv show'

If i got it right,topic was about supporting your fav. tv show and donating money to keep it running,not to find fast way how to leech t-shirts,hats,underwear,posters or dvd's.

Donation by definition means giving something without expecting something in return.

[–] Amadio 11 years ago

It's not an 'either or' model. Many shows will be supported by advertising and we can keep watching those. Others won't and will, for example, have to be crowd-sourced to continue. It would mean that TV companies have to show revenue otherwise they could get advertising revenue AND crowd money.

Still, it must be possible now for fans to communicate with each other and support shows that are axed. Another 13 episodes of Almost Human would cost, what, $65M? Hard to say. Are there 3M people out there willing to pay $20 or so? If finances were open then TV companies and fans could work together. Win-win.

If.

[–] bexn 11 years ago

Why not find out who the major advertisers for the show and then 1) start a letter writing campaign to them to let them know you appreciate their support for the show and that you purchase their products because of this support and 2) actually purchase the products. This worked for Chuck and Subway. How many of us purchased a sub the day it aired to show our support and thanks to Subway for helping keep Chuck on the air? :-)

[–] DebbieNaz 11 years ago

I'm paying for DISHTV already so I wouldn't want to pay more for shows I watch. In another forum someone mentioned they still go by Neilson ratings which I think is archaic. I'm one of those people that stream shows on my computer because they overlap or come on late. I used to stream them from the IMDB website but started going to the actual network the show's broadcast from hoping they would count it that way. It would be interesting to find out if they do.

[–] Taylorfirst1 11 years ago

Other posters have given good replies to the OP. My thought is this. MOST Sci Fi shows do not attract an audience large enough to satisfy the big 4 broadcast networks. Wouldn't it be great if there were a cable network devoted to sci fi programming that sought out shows like this and made them available to the niche audience that the network was designed to cater to.

Maybe that channel with the weird name (syfy?) could show a few less ghost hunting and make up design reality shows and put on some more science fiction shows.

With great power comes great responsibility.

[–] kkoclair 11 years ago

Open to your idea and others. Are sci-fi programs just more costly? Look at the high reviews Almost Human received! I thought it was improving in every episode and I looked forward to next season.

[–] Greentonic 11 years ago

Welcome to the world of Netflix-funded shows like House of Cards.

[–] HellJacket 11 years ago

@ Greentonic

Welcome to the world of Netflix-funded shows like House of Cards.

LOL, like Netflix could pay for a show like Almost Human.