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TV Guide Channel to ditch listings
- Thread starter jal41
- Start date
I
imhomerjay
Guest
whitfm said:
Leaving aside the magazine (which simply did not have a profitable place in today's world as a localized listings directory), you somewhat answered the question. Even without the internet, the interactive guides people get from satellite or cable companies (and it's a majority now) are far more functional than a scrolling channel guide that only goes out, what, about 90 minutes? With the interactive guides, you can get a reasonable approximation of that grid but under your control, not the arbitrary speed (and without the "dang, I just missed channel 2, now I have to wait five minutes for it to come back" moments). The scrolling guides also do a poor job of the whole on-demand content thing.
The listings aren't gone by any stretch (even if TV Guide refuses to enter some overnight episodic information for whatever reason), they're simply packaged as an interactive feature and not a rolling channel.
I doubt Lionsgate made the decision without studying the ratings and engaging in consumer research. If they have something to regret down the road, it will be because they failed to execute on the new strategy properly, not because they recognized the old strategy was ripe for a change.
Geez, for once I totally agree with homerjay - he's right on!! 
The old scrolling format was the best that was available for years. But now, with the listings provided by your cable box or from the dish, you can choose which channel to check and for what time. In fact, in some cases, you can look at what's on several days in advance!
In a world where cable and satellite providers offer hundreds of channels, the scrolling format of the old TVG Channel was an anachronism. It literally took forever to see what was on your channel if you missed it. It was tolerable when you had only 60 or 70 channels, but not now. Not to mention that they'd add listings for certain "specials" and "movies" at the end of the scroll, which took up even more of your time.
No, this makes sense. The big question now is whether this channel can offer programming that's interesting and compelling enough to justify its carriage. At the moment, that's far from a sure thing.
The old scrolling format was the best that was available for years. But now, with the listings provided by your cable box or from the dish, you can choose which channel to check and for what time. In fact, in some cases, you can look at what's on several days in advance!
In a world where cable and satellite providers offer hundreds of channels, the scrolling format of the old TVG Channel was an anachronism. It literally took forever to see what was on your channel if you missed it. It was tolerable when you had only 60 or 70 channels, but not now. Not to mention that they'd add listings for certain "specials" and "movies" at the end of the scroll, which took up even more of your time.
No, this makes sense. The big question now is whether this channel can offer programming that's interesting and compelling enough to justify its carriage. At the moment, that's far from a sure thing.
I
imhomerjay
Guest
I figure every now and then I get something right.
UPDATE: Time Warner dropping TV Guide Network on all systems throughout Texas
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/time_warner_drops_tv_guide_channel_04-07-2009.html
How long before Comcast (where TV Guide Network is now digital only in Atlanta and other places) and other providers start dropping.
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/time_warner_drops_tv_guide_channel_04-07-2009.html
How long before Comcast (where TV Guide Network is now digital only in Atlanta and other places) and other providers start dropping.
My mother only has the BASIC CABLE SERVICE which consists of only the OTA TV STATIONS, Public Access AND THE TV GUIDE CHANNEL. Just last month, THE STOCKTON RECORD newspaper discontinued the WEEKLY TV LISTINGS insert. Mom doesn't have the Internet, her TV Listings and now THE TV GUIDE CHANNEL. I am sure this is affecting most if not all of the elderly in the U.S.?
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imhomerjay
Guest
Not all to be sure, as not all older folks are in those same situations. Not all newspapers have discontinued all forms of listings; not all older folks have no computer access; not all have only OTA or basic cable, etc.
My mother, similarly, has had only limited basic cable service for several years. Though it hasn't stopped running all listings, the local paper has certainly curtailed them, and what's left is barely legible without a microscope. All of that said, though, it's not the newspapers' nor Lionsgate's (as owner of TV Guide online and the channel) to continue an increasinly money-losing proposition for the ever-decreasing sliver of society that may be left out despite all of the other options available. There comes a point where you just can't serve the needs of every single person.
My mother, similarly, has had only limited basic cable service for several years. Though it hasn't stopped running all listings, the local paper has certainly curtailed them, and what's left is barely legible without a microscope. All of that said, though, it's not the newspapers' nor Lionsgate's (as owner of TV Guide online and the channel) to continue an increasinly money-losing proposition for the ever-decreasing sliver of society that may be left out despite all of the other options available. There comes a point where you just can't serve the needs of every single person.
The thing about old folks is they're already set in their ways. They already know that the news airs at 6pm and it's followed by Wheel of Fortune at 6:30 and Touched By An Angel at 7. They're not a demographic (especially the elderly) known for looking for new TV content.
That being said, poor folk such as myself lived with mere rabbit ears and no newspaper back in the day. We figured out what was on by, omfg, flipping channels. With just 5 or 10 channels in the lineup, it don't take much time to figure out nothing's on worth watching and why did they cancel Matlock anyway? Damn kids stay off my lawn!
That being said, poor folk such as myself lived with mere rabbit ears and no newspaper back in the day. We figured out what was on by, omfg, flipping channels. With just 5 or 10 channels in the lineup, it don't take much time to figure out nothing's on worth watching and why did they cancel Matlock anyway? Damn kids stay off my lawn!
I
imhomerjay
Guest
azumanga said:
To the off button, perhaps?
Not everyone can have every single convenience at thier fingertips.
I still rely on the mobile TV Guide website for the only low power DTV in Columbus Ohio (so far) station WDEM CA. Last night I stay up to watch Lifeline Columbus at 11PM since the Saturday 9PM showing was a rerun.
I did see the new weekly TV listings for the Columbus Dispatch and it is a shell of its former self. True that EPG must be updated by the stations.
Since their research data shows that majority doesn't used or need the scrolling TV listings anymore.
I did see the new weekly TV listings for the Columbus Dispatch and it is a shell of its former self. True that EPG must be updated by the stations.
Since their research data shows that majority doesn't used or need the scrolling TV listings anymore.
I noticed that one night when I was watching an American Idol related show on Dish Network...
Zach said:The thing about old folks is they're already set in their ways. They already know that the news airs at 6pm and it's followed by Wheel of Fortune at 6:30 and Touched By An Angel at 7. They're not a demographic (especially the elderly) known for looking for new TV content.
That being said, poor folk such as myself lived with mere rabbit ears and no newspaper back in the day. We figured out what was on by, omfg, flipping channels. With just 5 or 10 channels in the lineup, it don't take much time to figure out nothing's on worth watching and why did they cancel Matlock anyway? Damn kids stay off my lawn!
My grandmother regularly watches baseball, hockey, and curling, and she obviously likes to know when it's on. She has analog cable, but she is not at all tech savvy and has never used a computer. Fortunately here the local paper still offers a TV listings magazine by special request which is what she uses. We also still have a TV listings channel run by the cable company, and it was refurbished within the past 18 months.
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