http://www.bet.com/news/music/2013/12/26/justin-bieber-announces-retirement.html?cid=socialMusicCeleb_20131229_16389744
He's got a point. The media should have focused on someone who actually DESERVES attention; they should have found someone else to bother once he started looking like a Jersey Shore reject. Then again, nothing sells papers like seeing a former teen pop sensation act like a total prick.
Sunday, 29 December 2013
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
Facebook. Across the Border.
The more I watch IFC, the more I hate Shaw Media for slapping it's name on a generic movie channel. They don't even play their original shows! Wanna know where Out There and Comedy Bang! Bang! ended up? MUCH!
about a minute ago
Kidkira
33 minutes ago
No matter what direction G4 takes, I think a refresh is in order. New graphics, new logo (new name?), and new shows. That's what G4TV Canada needs right now.
Kidkira
54 minutes ago
#MTV2MusicMix Oh look, a Riri and MNM video. Oh Never mind, it's Queens of the Stone age!
Kidkira
Yesterday
#mtv2musicmix Why don't you guys play more rock music videos? Better question, why don't you play more music period? It's better than Family Matters reruns.
about a minute ago
Kidkira
33 minutes ago
No matter what direction G4 takes, I think a refresh is in order. New graphics, new logo (new name?), and new shows. That's what G4TV Canada needs right now.
Kidkira
54 minutes ago
#MTV2MusicMix Oh look, a Riri and MNM video. Oh Never mind, it's Queens of the Stone age!
Kidkira
Yesterday
#mtv2musicmix Why don't you guys play more rock music videos? Better question, why don't you play more music period? It's better than Family Matters reruns.
Monday, 23 December 2013
Watching MTV2
MTV is no longer a music channel, it's a teen lifestyle channel; music is just part of the experience. So what does that make MTV2, the male-oriented "brother" network? Obviously, it's not a music network either. The short version would be that it's the older guy's version of MTV, right down to the crappy timeslot for music-videos.
To be analytical, the main difference (aside from being aimed at guys) is that MTV2's programming is influenced by hip-hop music and the people who listen to it, while MTV is all about mainstream music and the teenage girls who listen to that. However, the only original shows on MTV2 that are music-related are Hip-Hop Squares and the revived Wild N' Out. Everything else is tailor made for the guys, just like flagship show Guy Code. Another difference between MTV2 and MTV is that MTV's schedule largely consists of original programing while MTV2 incorporates reruns of the more male-oriented shows from MTV (like Ridiculousness) and even syndicated programming like The Wayans Bros, Smart Guy and Boy Meets World.
Have you ever noticed that the time these "music" networks spent playing irrelevant fare could have been spent playing more music videos or music-related shows (We're looking at you, Much)? Yes, Vevo is a preferred alternative to just waiting for your favorite music videos to play; I get it. But Netflix is a preferred alternative for those who don't want to wait for their basic cable movie network to play their favorite movie. Yet, while they do broadcast a television series or two, most movie networks are still predominately broadcasting movies. Why? Because that's why people tune-in to them in the first place!
Now, If I was running MTV2, I would extend the MTV2 Jams/Morning Music Buzz (Yeah, not feeling "AMTV2") block to encompass at least the entire morning. If it means I'll have to take Family Matters off the air, so be it. I would also put some emphasis on rock music and add more rock music videos to the rotation on top of rock-music related shows. I mean, seriously, Viacom got rid of MTVX because they thought people wanted more hip-hop and rap music. That's fine, but now you have BET Hip-Hop & MTV Jams. You think that's enough hip-hop-oriented channels, Viacom?! At least Much gives a crap about rock music, that's why they still have a rock-oriented channel.
I did check out MTV2 Jams. While waking up at 4AM to watch hip-hop was as stupid as it sounded like, it was nice to see some different music, or rather different programming, for a change. I found it ironic that during the Morning Music Buzz block, they wanted me to "join the conversation" with the #mtv2musicmix. I know I'm an Early Bird,
but who would wake up that early to see a music video with two girls playing old school video games? ...Don't ask. It's just further proof that these people are absolutely clueless to how things work.
For whatever faults MTV2 has, it's definitely become one of my favorite american networks to watch; It's way better than the canadian version. I know I say that a lot, but it's only because it's true.
...It was the music video to Back 2 Ballin. You're welcome.
To be analytical, the main difference (aside from being aimed at guys) is that MTV2's programming is influenced by hip-hop music and the people who listen to it, while MTV is all about mainstream music and the teenage girls who listen to that. However, the only original shows on MTV2 that are music-related are Hip-Hop Squares and the revived Wild N' Out. Everything else is tailor made for the guys, just like flagship show Guy Code. Another difference between MTV2 and MTV is that MTV's schedule largely consists of original programing while MTV2 incorporates reruns of the more male-oriented shows from MTV (like Ridiculousness) and even syndicated programming like The Wayans Bros, Smart Guy and Boy Meets World.
Have you ever noticed that the time these "music" networks spent playing irrelevant fare could have been spent playing more music videos or music-related shows (We're looking at you, Much)? Yes, Vevo is a preferred alternative to just waiting for your favorite music videos to play; I get it. But Netflix is a preferred alternative for those who don't want to wait for their basic cable movie network to play their favorite movie. Yet, while they do broadcast a television series or two, most movie networks are still predominately broadcasting movies. Why? Because that's why people tune-in to them in the first place!
Now, If I was running MTV2, I would extend the MTV2 Jams/Morning Music Buzz (Yeah, not feeling "AMTV2") block to encompass at least the entire morning. If it means I'll have to take Family Matters off the air, so be it. I would also put some emphasis on rock music and add more rock music videos to the rotation on top of rock-music related shows. I mean, seriously, Viacom got rid of MTVX because they thought people wanted more hip-hop and rap music. That's fine, but now you have BET Hip-Hop & MTV Jams. You think that's enough hip-hop-oriented channels, Viacom?! At least Much gives a crap about rock music, that's why they still have a rock-oriented channel.
I did check out MTV2 Jams. While waking up at 4AM to watch hip-hop was as stupid as it sounded like, it was nice to see some different music, or rather different programming, for a change. I found it ironic that during the Morning Music Buzz block, they wanted me to "join the conversation" with the #mtv2musicmix. I know I'm an Early Bird,
but who would wake up that early to see a music video with two girls playing old school video games? ...Don't ask. It's just further proof that these people are absolutely clueless to how things work.
For whatever faults MTV2 has, it's definitely become one of my favorite american networks to watch; It's way better than the canadian version. I know I say that a lot, but it's only because it's true.
...It was the music video to Back 2 Ballin. You're welcome.
Sunday, 22 December 2013
Movies & Music Channels: How to Survive Channel Drift.
Movie channels and music channels are both in the same boat. For basic cable movie channels, services like Netflix - which allows you to watch your favorite movies in a click of a button - have made them near obsolete. For Music channels, services like Vevo - which allows you to watch your favorite music videos in...well, you know what I mean. So now the challenge is to find something other than just movies and music to give to their audience.
In addition to original programming, Corus' CMT added family-oriented programming to the evenings. That would be fine... if YTV wasn't broadcasting the same syndicated shows or if the other shows weren't neither country-music related (Undercover Boss Canada) nor family friendly (Fear Factor). Good thing they still broadcast more music videos then their americian counterpart.
After re-branding to M3, the channel formerly known as MuchMore began adding more scripted dramas and sitcoms alongside reality shows and on top of music programming. It was the perfect way to refresh an ailing spinoff network but I fear Canada doesn't have an outlet for adult contemporary music anymore. It really should have been MTV2 that got this treatment.
That brings me to MuchMusic. On the plus side, they got rid of the teen dramas and reality shows and replaced them with comedy shows. It sounds like shark-jumping bullshit, but in an era where niche programming like anime and black shows take a back seat to dramas and reality shows - in an era where television is pandering to women and brainwashed teen pop fangirls, it's sigh of fresh air to see something different.
However, now's the time for Much to put more focus on actual music-related programming. According to the "Much MTV Comedy Networks" (Worst. Name. Ever.), Much is now "the go-to channel for all things pop culture." So a perfect blend of mainstream music and topical comedy shows will help reflect that as well re-define itself from the MTV-copycat network they were before. Besides, if Bell Media thinks they can make MuchMusic focus on something other than music, they got another thing coming!
On the movie front, things are much more brighter. Each network has a defined genre that doesn't overlap with each other. Movietime shows contemporary films, Rewind shows old school films and The Cult Movie Network shows...well, take a guess. In my opinion, Action turned out better than the rest. They went from being a spin-off of Showcase to one of Canada's only male-oriented entertainment networks (the other being OLN).
The key to surviving channel drift is to forget the ratings, forget the demographics, and just do what you were supposed to do and expand on it. The only time when you should care about ratings is when no one is watching your channel; the only time when your supposed to care about demographics is when you forget who your original audience is. That's the lesson to learn from all this.
...But Seriously, they should have rebranded MTV2!
In addition to original programming, Corus' CMT added family-oriented programming to the evenings. That would be fine... if YTV wasn't broadcasting the same syndicated shows or if the other shows weren't neither country-music related (Undercover Boss Canada) nor family friendly (Fear Factor). Good thing they still broadcast more music videos then their americian counterpart.
After re-branding to M3, the channel formerly known as MuchMore began adding more scripted dramas and sitcoms alongside reality shows and on top of music programming. It was the perfect way to refresh an ailing spinoff network but I fear Canada doesn't have an outlet for adult contemporary music anymore. It really should have been MTV2 that got this treatment.
That brings me to MuchMusic. On the plus side, they got rid of the teen dramas and reality shows and replaced them with comedy shows. It sounds like shark-jumping bullshit, but in an era where niche programming like anime and black shows take a back seat to dramas and reality shows - in an era where television is pandering to women and brainwashed teen pop fangirls, it's sigh of fresh air to see something different.
However, now's the time for Much to put more focus on actual music-related programming. According to the "Much MTV Comedy Networks" (Worst. Name. Ever.), Much is now "the go-to channel for all things pop culture." So a perfect blend of mainstream music and topical comedy shows will help reflect that as well re-define itself from the MTV-copycat network they were before. Besides, if Bell Media thinks they can make MuchMusic focus on something other than music, they got another thing coming!
On the movie front, things are much more brighter. Each network has a defined genre that doesn't overlap with each other. Movietime shows contemporary films, Rewind shows old school films and The Cult Movie Network shows...well, take a guess. In my opinion, Action turned out better than the rest. They went from being a spin-off of Showcase to one of Canada's only male-oriented entertainment networks (the other being OLN).
The key to surviving channel drift is to forget the ratings, forget the demographics, and just do what you were supposed to do and expand on it. The only time when you should care about ratings is when no one is watching your channel; the only time when your supposed to care about demographics is when you forget who your original audience is. That's the lesson to learn from all this.
...But Seriously, they should have rebranded MTV2!
Saturday, 21 December 2013
Corus will fully own Teletoon by the end of 2013. Thoughts?
http://kidscreen.com/2013/12/20/crtc-approves-corus-purchase-of-teletoon-historia-and-series/
Teletoon, like animation itself, isn't just for kids anymore. They may have been part-owners, but technically it's the only youth network in Corus' portfolio that caters to young adults such as myself. If the CRTC wants Teletoon's programming to not overlap with YTV and Treehouse, then Corus needs to puts just as much focus on that demographic as they did for children. That means, they need to find more shows for Teletoon at Night to broadcast since all the Adult Swim shows have moved to the canadian version.
Lucky for them, FX is rolling out a new animated series, Chozen, though a have a feeling this will be a bigger flop than Allen Gregory. They could also air reruns of IFC's Out There. When ABC Spark reran The Nine Lives of Chloe King, it got so popular, fans were treated to a look at the resolution to it's cliffhanger ending. It's nothing like what happened to Johnny Test, but it's still something, and I think the same might happen to Out There if the show gets enough attention. Don't forget, The Boondocks is supposed to return for a forth season in 2014. Teletoon brought back Family Guy, they NEED to do the same to this show.
Speaking of mature animation, since YTV is now family-friendly, it seems more and more unlikely Bionix will make a comeback. If Corus were able to afford more mature anime series, Teletoon at Night would be the likely candidate to broadcast them. Besides, they did co-produce Spider Riders and Bakugan. Of course, in that sense, it's more likely that Teletoon will stick to children-oriented anime such as Tenkai Knights.
My point is, Teletoon is right up there with Cartoon Network and The Hub. Like CN, they prove that animation isn't just for kids. Like Hub, they aren't just a kiddie network, they can be a network that the whole family can enjoy without restricting themselves to family-friendly crap. That's what Corus needs to consider once they take control of the Unreal station.
Teletoon, like animation itself, isn't just for kids anymore. They may have been part-owners, but technically it's the only youth network in Corus' portfolio that caters to young adults such as myself. If the CRTC wants Teletoon's programming to not overlap with YTV and Treehouse, then Corus needs to puts just as much focus on that demographic as they did for children. That means, they need to find more shows for Teletoon at Night to broadcast since all the Adult Swim shows have moved to the canadian version.
Lucky for them, FX is rolling out a new animated series, Chozen, though a have a feeling this will be a bigger flop than Allen Gregory. They could also air reruns of IFC's Out There. When ABC Spark reran The Nine Lives of Chloe King, it got so popular, fans were treated to a look at the resolution to it's cliffhanger ending. It's nothing like what happened to Johnny Test, but it's still something, and I think the same might happen to Out There if the show gets enough attention. Don't forget, The Boondocks is supposed to return for a forth season in 2014. Teletoon brought back Family Guy, they NEED to do the same to this show.
Speaking of mature animation, since YTV is now family-friendly, it seems more and more unlikely Bionix will make a comeback. If Corus were able to afford more mature anime series, Teletoon at Night would be the likely candidate to broadcast them. Besides, they did co-produce Spider Riders and Bakugan. Of course, in that sense, it's more likely that Teletoon will stick to children-oriented anime such as Tenkai Knights.
My point is, Teletoon is right up there with Cartoon Network and The Hub. Like CN, they prove that animation isn't just for kids. Like Hub, they aren't just a kiddie network, they can be a network that the whole family can enjoy without restricting themselves to family-friendly crap. That's what Corus needs to consider once they take control of the Unreal station.
Poor TNA...
"On October 24, 2013, TNA announced they will be returning to Universal
Studios on November 21, 2013 due to recent poor TV taping attendance and
high cost of production on the road. Impact Tapings will be filmed from
Soundstage 19. There still will be “select” tapings on the road from
time to time. TNA also announced a new 24/7 programming initiative that
will follow TNA superstars 24/7 day ."
So much for TNA making a profit. At least they had the right idea cutting back on PPV shows. Maybe for next year, they'll stick to the big four shows (Bound for Glory, Slammiversary, Destination X, Lockdown) for PPV events. Of course, that won't get TNA a bigger audience. In order for them to do that, they NEED to be more innovative and stop doing what the other guys are doing. It's time for them to stop being "WWE Lite" and truly become the successor to WCW everyone says they are.
You can start by laying off the invasion angles. Between the Nexus, S.C.U.M, Aces&Eights, the Coalition, and the BDK, we've had way, way, WAY more than enough of them to last an era.
So much for TNA making a profit. At least they had the right idea cutting back on PPV shows. Maybe for next year, they'll stick to the big four shows (Bound for Glory, Slammiversary, Destination X, Lockdown) for PPV events. Of course, that won't get TNA a bigger audience. In order for them to do that, they NEED to be more innovative and stop doing what the other guys are doing. It's time for them to stop being "WWE Lite" and truly become the successor to WCW everyone says they are.
You can start by laying off the invasion angles. Between the Nexus, S.C.U.M, Aces&Eights, the Coalition, and the BDK, we've had way, way, WAY more than enough of them to last an era.
Thursday, 12 December 2013
From an Outsider's Persepctive: MTV2
http://cargocollective.com/douglasfiliak/MTV-2-Refresh-Pitch-2013
You know MTV2 is kinda like a cooler older brother to MTV, emphasis on cooler, but I see it more as a little brother to Spike. Think about it: MTV2 is all about the guys, Spike is all about men. Seriously, MTV2's new graphic package looks like atwerked tweaked version of Spike's old graphics. (http://vimeo.com/24298568)
It makes you wonder, why the hell didn't VGX and Blue Mountain State, being more catered to young adults, move to MTV2? Was it because they feared it would cut into the MTV's imaginary commitment to music-related shows? Surprisingly, and maybe because they care more about hip-hop than rock, some of MTV2's newer shows do have something to do with music; on the same level as how some of History's shows have something to do with actual history.
That's the thing about Viacom Networks: they have the right ideas, but use them in the wrong ways.
You know MTV2 is kinda like a cooler older brother to MTV, emphasis on cooler, but I see it more as a little brother to Spike. Think about it: MTV2 is all about the guys, Spike is all about men. Seriously, MTV2's new graphic package looks like a
It makes you wonder, why the hell didn't VGX and Blue Mountain State, being more catered to young adults, move to MTV2? Was it because they feared it would cut into the MTV's imaginary commitment to music-related shows? Surprisingly, and maybe because they care more about hip-hop than rock, some of MTV2's newer shows do have something to do with music; on the same level as how some of History's shows have something to do with actual history.
That's the thing about Viacom Networks: they have the right ideas, but use them in the wrong ways.
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