This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
Viewer: I remember there being a row going on inside Cartoon Network over Adult Swim - specifically, concerning the popularity of the anime that they were showing compared to home-brewed cartoons. It apparently got to the point where one of the distributors was threatening to walk and take their shows with them if something wasn't done - anybody know more about that?
Charred Knight: Given that only Cowboy Beebop, FLCL, and Inu Yasha where the only really succesful anime series I highly doubt it. It makes more sense for Cartoon Network to air home brew series that they own without paying, than to pay for anime series that make the same Nielsen Ratings. I would love to see CN to show more anime, but from a business standpoint it makes perfect sense, CN is a business first, and place to see good shows second.
Jisu: Whoever here took offense to my "girls don't watch TV" comment should know that a) I was kidding and b) I'm a woman!
Scrounge: Cartoon Network and Transformers. Someone had to say it. If Transformers: Animated winds up not being able to keep a decent time slot, I imagine Sam Register will have some 'splainin' to do come next Botcon.
That Other 1 Dude: I removed this:
- Isn't the writer's strike what's delaying the latter half of the third season?
Charred Knight: The Avatar thing is not a dig at people who illegaly download series, its a common occurence in the anime industry where series that are heavily downloaded sell like shit in america (Naruto and Haruhi are the sole exceptions), see how well Gundam SEED sold compared to say Black Lagoon. The best example is One Piece which bombed twice, and the Funimation dub was great, its just that no one saw it.
i8246i: you know, if the aired dubbed versions of anime had ..you know, DECENT voice actors/actresses for the characters, some of us would actually go out of our way to WATCH these shows
Rogue 7: Funny thing- I think that the Avatar DV Ds do in fact sell well- not sure on that one. The only episodes I've downloaded are those that Nick hasn't made available legally on TV. But the thing is, if the DV Ds do sell, then the point is moot. And you also need to take into account the fact that anime fandom, when compared to many others, is in fact very, very small.
Charred Knight: The theory is that people who download episodes, probably don't watch the series on TV (this is true for the anime community where One Piece and Gundam SEED failed, Bleach doesn't do that well, and only Naruto has been a major hit, and thats with kids who don't download anime), but buy the series on DVD for the better picture. Since I have never seen the ratings for any episode let alone the ones for the two episodes leaked that have aired (the eclipse episodes) I wouldn't know if the theory has merit. Its just a lot more realistic than Nick hates a popular TV series and wants it to fail.
Rogue 7: My point was simply that I'm fairly sure that the Avatar dvds do sell well. That's all.
Charred Knight: Given that a reason has been given should the Avatar thing been deleted?
Skyblade: Two things: I think there are a little too many examples with syndication and ancillary packages. I mean, maybe whoever has the Australian rights to a show is abusing them, but that will hardly lead to the show getting cancelled. And sydicated shows are a case of the makers just throwing it out there and hoping for the best.
Secondly, the Terminator quote at the top is kind of erroneous. The ratings were falling every week, and the show was very expensive. Fox seemed to genuinely want this to be a hit.
Okay seriously. I really, really think we should knock off examples that involve imports. They have no effect whatsoever on the production of the show itself.
HeartBurn Kid: Regardless of if Sarah Connor Chronicles is an example in and of itself (and, for what it's worth, I think you're right there), the quote is a great synopsis of what the trope is all about — a show that's popular with viewers, but not so much with the executives, so they make sure it never finds its audience.
Dalantia: I'm inclined to agree with going in and cutting out anything that involves an import. That's a different trope. Later: Whacked video game imports. Will do others later.
Some Sort Of Troper: Removed some poor examples with reasons noted. I must say concerning the X Men film series example- a producer can make mistakes but if those mistakes include feeling two compelled to do an additional sequel straight away, churning out multiple spin offs and making investments in similar sort of films on the basis of the success of this one, then I highly doubt somebody was trying to screw over a big money maker.
Lord Seth: Is Arrested Development really an example? It's true Fox could've handled the series better, but for quite a while it was right after The Simpsons (a strong lead-in), and it still didn't get great ratings. To be honest, I think Fox was a bit charitable to keep it going as long as it was. Don't get me wrong, I liked the show and wish it had continued, but the fact is it wasn't getting great ratings even when it was at decent time slots.
Y'know, if restaurants were run like TV networks, they'd start just having three things on the menu.. whatever sold the best. What is their problem with giving the viewer some variety?
-It costs more to make a show than a specialty omelette -Have you ever looked at a menu? for a lot of places, especially the big chains, it's a lot of variations on the same item.
