the thing with networks like SoapNET, TVLand, etc.... is they NEED to make these changes. They HAVE to add the newer shows and whatnot. To survive. To turn a profit, or mroe of a profit.

They just do. Look at the few soapnet ratings we have gotten, the soap reruns on the weekends wasnt working. The moves do well. And as for that "then change the name!" bullshit... please, its still airs soaps. its still 80%+ soap or soap opera type things.

the thing with networks like SoapNET, TVLand, etc.... is they NEED to make these changes. They HAVE to add the newer shows and whatnot. To survive. To turn a profit, or mroe of a profit.

They just do. Look at the few soapnet ratings we have gotten, the soap reruns on the weekends wasnt working. The moves do well. And as for that "then change the name!" bullshit... please, its still airs soaps. its still 80%+ soap or soap opera type things.

Right. I'm all for them going on ahead and making changes and what-not to stay afloat. But hell, I don't HAVE to like it. There's a difference between saying "SOAPnet sucks, I rarely watch" and "SOAPnet sucks, it makes no sense for them to air their high-rated shows all day long."

And honestly, a name change is just something that I think is owed to the audience who's been watching the channel for years. Just a way to say "Look, we appreciate all that you've done for us over the years, but we're no longer the channel we used to be, we're going into a different direction, and we're starting over. Thanks."

the thing with networks like SoapNET, TVLand, etc.... is they NEED to make these changes. They HAVE to add the newer shows and whatnot. To survive. To turn a profit, or mroe of a profit.

They just do. Look at the few soapnet ratings we have gotten, the soap reruns on the weekends wasnt working. The moves do well. And as for that "then change the name!" bullshit... please, its still airs soaps. its still 80%+ soap or soap opera type things.

See, this is the truth.

Commercial TV _is_ about selling. So, honestly, "selling out" is not a bad thing. It is the reality of staying alive.

JP explains why it happens. Until we find a way to make the networks profitable in their original concept, they will evolve like this. I'm not saying it is a good thing...hell, it is probably "tyranny of the masses". But it is the economic reality of an advertiser-supported medium.

the thing with networks like SoapNET, TVLand, etc.... is they NEED to make these changes. They HAVE to add the newer shows and whatnot. To survive. To turn a profit, or mroe of a profit.

But why do they have to add reality shows? And "I Love the 80's Ripoffs"? Why couldn't they pull together what little money they have and do a 15 or 30 minute soap for thirteen weeks, seasonal?

And you don't have to sell out to survive. Just ask the folks at GSN, who sold out and almost lost everything. Those poker tourneys didn't do jack [!@#$%^&*] for their network. I still believe SOAPnet will do the same thing. The reruns and movies will get them higher ratings now, but if they abandon their soap format(especially without changing the name), I don't think the soap audience will want to stick around.

If they did do a name change and slogan change, it might attract more eyeballs. But SOAPnet, to many people, still carries a negative connotation.

I still believe the only way SOAPnet can appease both its artistic credibility and gain commercial profit is by offering the services fans want online for free(with ad supported content, of course). That way, there can be two channels.

Commercial TV _is_ about selling. So, honestly, "selling out" is not a bad thing. It is the reality of staying alive.

Wow. How sad.

Edited March 13, 200916 yr by bellcurve

But why do they have to add reality shows? And "I Love the 80's Ripoffs"? Why couldn't they pull together what little money they have and do a 15 or 30 minute soap for thirteen weeks, seasonal?

And you don't have to sell out to survive. Just ask the folks at GSN, who sold out and almost lost everything. Those poker tourneys didn't do jack [!@#$%^&*] for their network. I still believe SOAPnet will do the same thing. The reruns and movies will get them higher ratings now, but if they abandon their soap format(especially without changing the name), I don't think the soap audience will want to stick around.

If they did do a name change and slogan change, it might attract more eyeballs. But SOAPnet, to many people, still carries a negative connotation.

I still believe the only way SOAPnet can appease both its artistic credibility and gain commercial profit is by offering the services fans want online for free(with ad supported content, of course). That way, there can be two channels.

Speak of the devil...the latest sell-out/brand change. Where will I get my Doctor Who???

The Sci Fi Channel will soon be no longer!

Starting in June, the NBC-owned network will be known as Syfy!

Why the switcharoo???

The channel, primarily known for their Battlestar Galactica and Stargate reruns, wants to break out of the sci-fi mold they've created for themselves over the past 16 years and expand into fantasy and "imagine-based entertainment."

The network name swap will be supported by the tagline, "Imagine Greater."

Network prez Dave Howe explains the name change as a necessity to attract a broader audience. "We love being sci fi… But we're more than just space and aliens and the future — the three things most people think of when they think of 'sci fi.' What this does is hopefully gives us the best of both worlds. You keep the heritage, but also open up to a broader range of content."

The Sci Fi Channel also ran into problems with trademarking the Sci Fi brand!

"We're going to have upwards of 50 Sci Fi Channels in various territories and yet you cannot trademark 'Sci Fi' anywhere in the world," explained Howe. "A new logo design would not solve that particular challenge. We needed a brand name that was own-able, portable and extendable."

Speak of the devil...the latest sell-out/brand change. Where will I get my Doctor Who???

Wow. Just WOW!

I'll repeat what Koos said earlier in this thread:

It continually sickens me how cable TV has mutated into something horrible and worthless. I can't name even one basic cable network that hasn't sold out.