Does the amount of shows being cancelled put you off new franchises

[sniddy_v1legacy]

In part the whole metric of a success is how many people watch it live so a lot of shows that I'd like are watched by more people who record everything to watch later ad-free

In part I'm in the UK - so I get NO impact in viewing figures...

So it's getting to the point where it's not worth me watching season 1 of anything, so many interesting shows canned after one season for not pulling megabucks, heck a lot of them were commercially viable but they'd rather scrap it in the hunt for a 'ratings killer'

We're going to end up with more reality shows, more cop dramas or procedural shows then are sustainable soon, but they pull that extra 0.1% and people who watch live for the add streams

...With things like netflix gaining ground is it time for shows execs to find new ways to measure success, more in show adverts (not that some of these aren't getting obvious)

How long until next to no one watches adverts? In the last year I can count on one hand the amount of advert breaks I've watched - I don't know anyone under 50 who watches live, it's all pre-recorded shows...in 20 years that will be even less, heck the closest I come to live is game of thrones, where I start 15 mins later to fast forward the adverts - I contribute nothing to ad streams

So TLR - when a new show starts, does part of you think 'is it worth investing' now...

 

[Hawki]

It's a bit of a moot point for me - most TV shows are ones I either buy on DVD, borrow from the library (helps in that I work in libraries so I can access the catalogue easily), or watch on YouTube if episodes are short enough (e.g. cartoons). Ads are part of the problem, scheduling another. If I'm watching a TV show, I want to be invested in it over a given period of time, and without ad breaks. So, for instance, right now I'm watching season 1 of The Tudors while working in my room (borrowed from the library), and season 1 of Babylon 5 (bought on DVD), which I sit down to binge watch in sessions of around three episodes all in one go, then lay off for a few days. Timetable works like that for me.

I don't think the situation is as dire right now as you claim though. TV has experienced a lot of audience fragmentation - more channels, more means of accessing said TV, more consumers. Decades ago, something along he lines of episode to episode continuity would be unheard of, today, it's pretty much the norm. Think that's a good thing in the long run, but it does mean that there's a lot more competition.

 

[Wintermute_v1legacy]

I don't watch a lot of TV shows, and I usually only watch a show when it's already going for 3 or 4 years, so I can watch it once a week and by the time I'm done a new season will be out.

Only exceptions I can think of are Game of Thrones, which I haven't seen half of season 5 and season 6, I'll wait until they're done, Lost, because I was a huge "fanboy" discussing theories online and shit. And also Stranger Things on Netflix because I loved since I saw the trailer.

There's so much content to watch/read/play that it really isn't difficult at all to just put something on hold. Next thing you know, 5 years went by and you can finally watch that show you wanted years ago.

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

I stopped watching TV a long time ago. I may watch a show on the occasion on Netflix or Hulu. For example I watched a few episodes of TNG last night.
But new shows, directly on TV? Probably haven't since Season 5 of Supernatrual.

So no I'm not put off by the amount of shows being cancelled 'cause I never watched them to begin with.

 

[hermajesty]

Hmm not really, but I tend to get into things quite late. I started watching GoT at season 5 and same with Parks and Rec.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Adverts? What even are adverts? Oh right! Those are those things I have to put up with whenever I visit my parents.

Yeah I haven't watched cable TV of my own volition in ages. It actually makes investing in shows a lot easier, if you ask me. I'm more willing to try out a new thing because I don't have to stick to some arbitrary TV schedule and deal with bucketloads of advertisement. Whenever I get something recommended or find something on the internet I check out a few episodes and see if I dig it.

 

[Rastrelly]

when a new show starts, does part of you think 'is it worth investing' now...

I think so, but for absolutely different reason; nowadays showmakers think every series should be about constant inter-character relations and moral relativity fap instead of any sort of proper focus.

 

[Silverbane7]

i get ya, OP. every time i see an advert for something new (usualy a scifi type show) i cringe and wonder how long it will last.

(tho i never get to watch them anyway, since my mom hogs the sky box from 9am to 9pm and my dad uses that till about 1am when she goes to bed lol, and its no use trying to record them o the +box because her stuff on the *other channels is recording while she is watching stuff on the main so the box is allways full)

what bugs me is the same. so much crap (reality shows, fake stuff and copycat stuff) that gets renewed over and over, while decent stuff is left behind or canned.

its goten to the point that i hardly actualy watch anything seriously. ( see stuff advertised when i am downstairs in the mornings) i dont sub to any movie or show channels (havent the ability) so watching that online...i ocasionaly use Iplayer (bbc) on my wiiu but since they took down all the Dr Who's i havent bothered much barring watching 'click'

tho i have started grabbing stuff i like, in box sets from my local shops when i can. wait a while and most things come don. or get lucky (like i managed with my babylon5. got seasons 1-3 and 5) and find em in a charity shop (you call em thrift stores in the usa)

i am more worried though, about whether or not the bbc will cave and just ditch my DrWho again, in favour of cheap but crap...too many reality shows...too much soap and drama for my liking...

 

[Solkard]

I think it depends on the network the show is debuting on. Some networks just seem to have a certain preference. Like CBS is only good to shows with the letters C, S, and I in the name. Fox will cancel anything sci-fi or isn't announced as the second coming the day after the premier.

 

[ObsidianJones_v1legacy]

No one yet said Firefly? I'm perplexed.

To be honest, using 'Firefly', I posit that it's not if a show is good, it's if the executives "Get it".

If they think it will be a hit, it will be the lush time slot, the money to be advertised, and paired with another hit so people won't change the channel knowing that the new thing is coming up soon.

If you're American, Think about Thursday Night back in the 90's. If you were anything but NBC, you didn't DARE try to put your new shows against the power of their line up. 'Must See TV' ruled unquestionably with the likes of Seinfield, Friends, Fraiser, Mad About you... and after that, ER.

That powerblock made shows, household names, and other channels scramble to do something just as big. Being put at that time was the same as saying "We don't like your show, so we're going to make it impossible for your to get rantings so we can pull your contract."

Firefly... fans had to hunt for that show. Sometimes it was on during Sundays. Sometimes thursdays. Mondays weren't an impossibility. The fans didn't know when to watch to see what was happening next. And also, the shows were aired out of sequence. Repeats were shown often. Given the fact that we had to hunt for it, Advertising telling us that it moved times was scant.

I don't get my homes up anymore. Nor do I even watch TV. I wait until something gets at least three seasons before I get involved. I broke my rule with the show 'Sirens'. Two seasons and it was canned. But last year netflix kept insisting I would like it. Given the time and the last season wrapping in 2015, I thought there would be no harm.

I found it damn funny, so I was ready for some more... Nope, cancelled in 2015. Literally the month I gave it a try.

Just... everyone wait until there's at least 3 seasons. That's a good number of episodes to enjoy.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

I feel a bit burned after Penny Dreadful's ignominious and sudden cancellation, but for the most part shows I've enjoyed have gone the distance. Everyone remembers Firefly, but I checked out Firefly after it had already been cancelled, so it wasn't a blind side. Same with Deadwood, although the show just piffling out without a conclusion was a bit jarring. Other than that, everything has been allowed to find a reasonable/natural conclusion.

I tell ya, though...if Mr. Robot doesn't get a Season 3 due to low ratings, Imma burn this whole system down. BURN IT DOWN.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

I just finished episode five. Is it at least somewhat resolved at the end? Does it feel like an ending?

It feels like a shameful, rushed, shitty ending. The show builds in quality until about mid season three, and then abruptly veers into soggy mediocrity for the final three episodes. They'll tell you it was the plan to end the show this way all along, but the rapid and shocking quality decline makes it pretty obvious they had at least one more season planned.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

On a related note, Timothy Dalton looks ridiculously good at 70. I thought he was younger.

Doesn't he though? Dude looks incredible. I was shocked when the GF told me he was in his 70's.

I recommend carrying on with Penny Dreadful and then dropping it after the end of Season 2. Season 2 has a very strong finish and the tone of a series finale (I actually feel like most of the characters had a STRONGER arc end-point by the end of season 2 than the actual series finale). You'll miss out on some strong early season 3 episodes and be left with a lack of finality on a few plot threads, but you'll get to enjoy the show going out on a super strong note, instead of thundering into a new season firing on all cylinders and suddenly collapsing like a wet fart with a couple episodes left.

PS - Watching Penny Dreadful, watched Deadwood, Tony Soprano avatar...you have good taste in television, sirrah.

 

[RebornKusabi]

Not reading the replies, so forgive me if I'm not contributing to the conversation I'm sorry, but just gonna answer the topic title.

Yes.

The last show I watched avidly that got canceled on me was Spectacular Spider-Man in my early 20's. Ever since then, I've been extremely reticent to jump into a new show, period. Because of that, I have a "wait-and-see" approach.

How wait-and-see? I didn't start watching Game of Thrones until Season Four. Just in case it got canceled.

 

[Trunkage]

I'm up to the stage of where if it's not on Netflix then I'm not interested.

I used to love weekly shows but after some really bad endings like Lost and BSG, I don't bother.

Last thing I watched was Rick and Morty over a month ago.

 

[crypticracer]

Exactly this. The networks want immediate success but have not shown to be worthy of such faith. The shows fail because the networks treat them like they will.

I haven't watched a show as it's airing forever. There is enough good tv these days that I can wait until a full season is complete. Partially so I can binge, and partially so I know it's worth investing in.

Netflix has shown a willingness to give everyone of their shows multiple seasons, at the least, even when they don't deserve it, like that suburb werewolf show I can't remember the name of. Of course they also make it so you can binge immediatly, which I appreciate.

EDIT: (Also, the networks sometimes make their shows really difficult to see. I was really interested in the expanse, but Syfy made it so you can only watch if you have a cable subscription.)