Will the Writer's strike harm TV on a broader scale?

hi!

i had those thoughts over the past few weeks and eztv seemed the best place to
discuss them:

fact:
it's not a big secret, that especially the internet has taken away from tv-
audiences over the past years.

now, given we know that: won't the strike accelerate that phenomenon 10-fold?
already shows are running out and people will start looking for alternative
avenues of entertainment, i.e. the internet.

now how many people do you know that got more active on the internet and then
suddenly stopped? i don't know many...

also by the time most shows return, they will have had a few months to get set
in the new routines of surfing the net instead of watching tv, maybe making it
harder to lure them back in front of the tv... that could suggest even lower
audiences for tv in the future.

so i guess my question is:
aren't the writers and the tv executives/big wigs shooting themselfes in the
foot twice by not taking care of that problem before it got to a strike?



ps: short-range economic losses aren't even accounted for in my post, i read
it's $22 million a day right now...

but isnt that the whole point? writers want a cut on other methods of
distribution ... ie the internet and dvd sales. the industry does recognise
the popularity of the internet and are looking to move forward with this
technology ... rather than trying to compete with it. it's obvious when u
visit official show websites. its also obvious that tv execs have so far been
ripping off their talented creative writers with this technology ... and will
continue to do so for as long as they can make it last - hence the reason they
didnt settle on an agreement with the writers before the strike.

in reference to the writers ... to not go for dvd and internet royalties would
be foolish because they do recognise the potential of how huge the tv industry
will become on the internet. tv execs are happy while they dont have to pay
royalties for internet and dvd sales, and they still have their websites in
which to grow with the technology.

having said that, ultimately its the tv execs who are risking their future
income, in the same way the income of music execs has been affected in the last
decade. i dont need to go to a huge record label to release an album
anymore ... i can produce it right here on my home computer and unleash it on
the world wide web. if tv execs continue playing this game with their creative
staff, they too will find themselves cut out of the prouction/distribution
loop .... just look at the examples of "sanctuary" and "pariah island" for
starters. taking tv entertainment to this level will mean no more nielsen
ratings and cancellations will be less likely to occur. stuff the airwaves ...
bring on internet tv!

and the internet is more reliable. that is why i started downloading in the
first place. i got sick of the aussie tv stations being a season behind for
starters, then advertising a series, ncis or house for example. playing a few
new episodes, then throwing in repeats for a while. or i'd start watching a
series, then they would move it to a ridiculous timeslot. so i'd miss the
shows i liked. or they would just stop airing shows. would you believe that i
didn't realise that the dead zone is still running!!! and up to season 6 i
think. i honestly thought that they stopped at about season 2!!!

the tv stations are too unreliable. they are supposed to be running things for
us, the viewers. but they really have no idea.

but your point is right. there is no way that i am going back to watching on
tv. i can watch my shows, in order, and when i choose. what could be better
than that!!

mazette, i agree completely! i've constantly run into those same problems
(apart from the subs). i just didn't want to add them to my list, otherwise
i'd really start ranting!!
many of my friends believed that i was just going thru a phase with my d/ling.
but there's no way i'm going back!!! they now refer to me as the d/l queen 🙂

funny thing is, i don't even mind being behind a season now, when i know that
at least i can watch a show in order and whenever it suits me. (i've become
slightly anal, in the fact that i don't watch eps as they come up, but rather
get the whole season, burn it to disc, and watch in the lounge in comfort!)

and yes aydin, i know of your cushy set up! don't mention it again, i'm already
jealous enough 😉

lashes on their way 😉

bastard!!

from what i'm told, tvix products
(http://www.tvix.co.kr/eng/products/5100sh.aspx) now support mkv containers
(firmware upgrade apparently), although don't quote me on it.

personally i'd _never_ leave my vista media centers behind though. used in
connection with my fileserver tucked away in the loft i have absolutely
everything (media-wise) just a remote away.