TV Guide Network

[WPPCProductions]

I dont watch much of TV guide tv because I get the listings online now.I do like the awards red carpet specials.I did had a subscription for ages before this little thing called the internet came about in the 1990's.

 

[flashback]

tv guide magazine was great when they put out the smaller issues with 24 /7 local schedules .i would like to see it that way again.

i know schedules are on internet and on the cable but i like to have a printed schedule close by.the new tv guide is not so good.

the newspaper here started to charge a quarter more per sunday paper for a tv schedule that was exactly the same as it was when it was part of the incredible shrinking newspaper.and daily tv schedules are non existant.

now back to the discussion on the tv guide channel.

 

[Robnoxious]

Those of you that exercise complete disgust and disdain for the landscape of the cableverse today can do what I did and send the equipment back and disconnect. Cable TV is worthless today. It was worthless even then, but now there are more options outside of cable to substantiate the original hypothesis.

It's really not that painful. Try it.

 

[DToTheJ]

tv guide magazine was great when they put out the smaller issues with 24 /7 local schedules .i would like to see it that way again...

That, like the newspapers phasing out television listings in some cases, is another example of trying to stay relevant in the 21st century. All TV Guide is trying to do in this case, in their magazine and on their "channel," is to target the sellable demo.

 

[flashback]

tv guide magazine was great when they put out the smaller issues with 24 /7 local schedules .i would like to see it that way again...

That, like the newspapers phasing out television listings in some cases, is another example of trying to stay relevant in the 21st century. All TV Guide is trying to do in this case, in their magazine and on their "channel," is to target the sellable demo.

relivent equals less service these days?

 

[justpassingthough]

I am not talking about staying relevant or not, but staying true to brand. In a 500 channel universe, you NEED an identity to sell your network. ESPN has stayed true to the brand, and is the #1 cable network. Most viewers don't scan channels anymore, they set their DVR, or save a favorite list of channels based on a programming genre they like.

When a channel strays off brand...such as the Travel Channel's line up of cooking shows (which belong more appropriately on the Food Channel), History showing shows like American Pickers, which popular or not, have little to do with history, or MTV and VH1 showing movies or shows that have little or nothing to do with music...you've confused the brand and your identity. While I agree that TV listings in a digital age are increasingly irrelevant in a digital age, there are still people who don't yet have smart boxes on their set. And a channel called TV Guide, by definition, should guide you to the best shows in a 500 channel universe, not serve as a dumping ground for 3rd tier sitcoms that should be on TVLand, Me-TV or Antenna TV.

If you aren't what you used to be, change the name, as Spike TV (the former nashville network), HLN (the former headline news, now 2011's version of CourtTV) ,or TLC (the former learning network) have done. In short, stay true to your brand, or get lost on a crowded dial...

I would argue that these channels haven't really strayed off 'brand', though, they've just modified programming to better target their audiences. Sure, MTV doesn't play music anymore, but it still caters programming to the demographic that enjoys youth culture and music- it was always more about the youth culture than it was about the music. Music is integrated into other forms of entertainment like never before, and this is largely because of MTV taking the lead to integrate music with reality, sports, news, etc. So while MTV doesn't play music videos, music is still essential to the audience they serve and the programming they offer. Even scripted programming like "Teen Wolf" showcase music in ways that wouldn't have been necessary or relevant 30 years ago.

 

[imhomerjay]

At least one person gets it.

 

[azumanga]

All TV Guide is trying to do in this case, in their magazine and on their "channel," is to target the sellable demo.

Actually, the magazine is no longer related to the TV channel -- in 2009, Lionsgate Entertainment bought the channel from One Point Capital, using the TV Guide name under license.

 

[crainbebo]

I think the last time TV Guide Channel was good was around 2002/03 ish, when there was "The Insider", Katie Wagner doing "Music News", etc. Then they added Watercooler, specials and Trapped in TV Guide and it wasn't great anymore.

-crainbebo