Today's question comes from lostie324.
How important is it for you to participate and support your TV Show on the net?
Do you vote for your favorites on various sites or blogs, read the news, post your thoughts about the episodes in the comments or forums?
For me until Lost came along I never really joined in much on the net for the shows I loved, however, with Lost and Dark's excellent Lost Page, I became a total addict.
I would stay up late with other non-usa Losties to watch blurry streams of the new episodes live, I would then dive straight into the polls and discussions immediately following the episode and it was a real blast and one that I now sorely miss with Lost gone. I have not yet found another show that sparkes that excitement again.
I tried Flashforward and enjoyed it but it wasn't the same and I've been keen to follow other shows like V, Rubicon, The Event, Persons Unknown but something is just missing.
So how about you? Which shows to you enjoying participating online with, how much do you get involved with the fandom? Have you ever run and Fan site yourself? What are the good and bad parts of living in an online world of TV Fandom?
Sound off in the comments.
You can see previous Questions of the Day here.
For me it is very important to support V on the net. Internet has become a great tool since Farscape cancellation by SyFy in 2003. TV and paper are not so efficient than several years ago.
ReplyDeleteNot really. I don't think all those internet petitions and fan sites impess producers.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day money is all that counts.
Chuck is the perfect example of why you're wrong. I agree that, in general, what you said is true... But the Subway fan campaign that was probably very reliant on the internet for communication purposes single-handedly saved a great show from cancellation. Other shows have come back from the brink based on that kind of support. While most campaigns are futile because they only involve several thousand voters, the internet is a powerful forum for fans to come together in support of their favourite shows.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I agree with Spoiler Girl about LOST being the show that got me online and DarkUFO being the reason I'm still here :).
Very important. For one, it's just plain passion for a show you love so much, and two, sometimes it's the only way to promote your show because it's stuck on a lesser quality network.
ReplyDeleteI think good quality shows do not need fan communities very much honestly. It's rare that the online fans create such a commotion that it affects the show itself. Frankly, I would prefer the showrunners do NOT listen to the fans and execute their creative vision without cowtowing to pleads from online fandoms.
ReplyDeleteWhen a well made show and a well organized fan community hook up it can become a supernova. It can enter pop culture and become almost as big as the show itself... if not bigger. Melrose Place (original) or other TV show drinking nights at bars, drinking games for TV shows that make it to and from college campuses.
In the long run I think a well made show gets press and promotion because critics and people like it and tell their friends and online fan communities are more for the fans to get a sense of belonging and bonding. I don't think it really affects the networks except in very rare instances, but if the fans enjoy it.... why try to stop them?
Completely agree! A network will only listen to the fans if they think it will affect the bottom line. If they can appease the fans by having a lower cost final season or additional season, they will do it. As long as the money comes in and makes it worth their while. Fans like to think they can persuade the networks to tweak a show or to have additional seasons, but in reality it is the incoming money that affects them the most.
ReplyDeleteFor fans like me stuck on a little island a looong, loooong way from anywhere (except Australia and that doesn't count ;P ) the internet has become a vital link to other fans. SpoilerTV was the first site where I've felt safe enough to comment - I lurked in a few fansites before that and was freaked out by the verbal attacks that went on. I don't believe any of the fansites influence the production of a show, but I do believe they have a place in promoting a great little show on a little network that knows nothing about promotion.
ReplyDeleteFor me SpoilerTV is a place to discuss my show with (usually) respectful and (mostly) like minded people. Yes, I sit up at night waiting for the latest episode to download, and then immediately come here to comment. It's a hobby I guess - like gardening or playing a sport- except it connects me to other people from around the world - and that's so fantastic! I love being a part of the community here on SpoilerTV .
Very important, especially with Supernatural. I feel that a lot of today's culture is centered around connectivity, which essentially boils down to the use of the internet through various social platforms and websites. The internet is a great way to "sell" your favorite television shows to others. I can't tell you the number of amazing shows I've started to watch because people on Tumblr or even SpoilerTV have recommended them to me. Maybe I'm just a person who's open to new suggestions, and therefore an exception to the rule. However, I'd like to think that the internet creates a very powerful network between fans of various shows. The Supernatural TV Guide poll showed us that.
ReplyDeleteI think it creates a very strong connection among the community, how powerful is it? I think it is fair to say Supernatural has one of (or THE) most powerful community on this site, but has that helped SPN's ratings? I think the communities feel powerful because they can organize well or do well in polls, but that usually does not affect the world outside of that community. I do not think the Golden Globes, Emmy Awards or Oscars will be influenced at all by online communities... or at least very little. All that said. this community is very fun for me.... I think it is more about fun than power.
ReplyDeleteIt's very important to me!
ReplyDeleteShowrunners may not listen to what we have to say, but the Internet helps to connect with other fans. We can discuss episodes and talk about different theories and sometimes our excitement helps to get new viewers on board.
Of course I vote and sign various petitions even if I not they're not gonna help. It's just that being a part of a group, a part of a family that understands me is very amazing.
I wake up at 3 AM to watch some shows on a crappy live stream and discuss them as they air. But it's actually fun!
Agreed. That is what makes online communities so fun for most... the feeling of belonging to something. Some people get so much out of that I hope online communities are around a long time.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun Viktorija, isn't it? It's great to share a passion for something with people you would never otherwise have connected with. There are a few people I've even become friends with because of our shared interest - friendship that will continue long after our show is a thing of the past - and that can only be a good thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's not so much that it is important, I am just addicted. One site led to another until I ended up on this one. I remember going from thetailsection to docarzt to darkufo. Nothing has been as good as spoilertv.
ReplyDeleteIncredibly important. I love to go on after having a bad day and read the comments(and occasionally comment myself). These people all have very strong opinions, but know how to express them in a polite and kind mannner. Also, I always check this site for my favourite spoilers(there is reallly no place that can compete) and enjoy joining the discussions. I really feel like I fit in.
ReplyDeleteI remember way back in the best show competiton when I first commented. :)
That's exactly when I first commented too - and what a ride that competition was! :)
ReplyDeleteWas it ever! Though I'm still not quite sure how The Vampire Diaries got to the final. Maybe bribery? :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe the vamps compelled the voters?
ReplyDeleteHow important is it for you to participate and support your TV Show on the net?
ReplyDeleteI read this question totally different than others. It is not important to Hollywood that I spend part of every day on SpoilerTV. They are more interested that I buy the DVD's. I read the question as how important is it to me. And for me it varies. For many shows, I am content to watch online and sometimes live without getting too invested time wise. I depend on those shows to entertain but not overwhelm and sometimes quite frankly they are a welcome break from fan drama.
But for 1-3 shows at a time (any more would be too much), the online community enhances the show, especially if I really love it but no one else I know watches it. The online community gives me a chance to discuss characters in-depth and know that someone else "gets" my opinion instead of rolling their eyes. It allows me to see little things I missed that help me understand the show better or enjoy it more. It allows me to debate plot points and speculate on what might happen next. And, yes, sometimes it gives me a chance to vent my frustrations (about the show itself and other things). Generally these are shows I would like anyway in isolation, but the online community makes it even better.
In all honesty, I watch less TV now that I am on SpoilerTV. Some of those shows I used to pass the time with, I have forgone this season in order to spend more time chatting about the shows I am passionate about with other fans on this site. I find that I don't miss those shows, but I look forward to hearing what these new friends have to say. I guess you could say that SpoilerTV has made me less valuable to Hollywood, but I am sure enjoying myself more these days.
I was another newbie in the Best Show competition. Funny how a random link could change my viewing patterns. Now I'm as addicted to SpoilerTV as I have been to some TV shows. Glad to meet up with such nice, open people as I have met here.
ReplyDeleteIt's incredibly important for me: Supernatural+Fringe especially.
ReplyDelete:)
soooo very important. for me its a way to see what other passionate viewers think of my favourite shows because no-one i know watches them.
ReplyDeleteits also important because some of my fave's (supernatural!!!) are not the biggest shows out there so to show support online is my way of showing the world that this is my show and i love it!!!
It's the same for me - my husband watches SPN with me (although he doesn't join me here on SpoilerTV he does enjoy the info I pass on from here), but generally I do most of my SPN appreciation here.
ReplyDeleteIt's great here because, while us SPN crew get a bit excitable at times ;P most others who come here are fairly tolerant of us (even if they're a bit bemused by our enthusiasm) because they all have shows they love too.
And I always enjoy your comments lostrocks4ever :)
It is! :) I've met some really great people who I can now call my friends.
ReplyDeleteI've pretty much grown on internet fandom starting with The X-Files when I was around 7 years old, so it's basically ingrained into my system. ;)
ReplyDeleteAs an antipodean watcher of shows I rely on the online community to make up for the gross mistreatment of viewers by the Commercial channels (I'm talking to you Ch 10 and your abandonment of Supernatural mid-season 5!)
ReplyDeleteThrough the net I've managed to catch up with current shows and hear about new ones that may only last for one season. I am amazed and fascinated by the passion and dedication of pop culture fans as well as the wide range of opinions that some shows can generate.
The Spoiler Twitter feed keeps me current and connected to my favoutire shows such as Dr Who, Supernatural, Nikita, Eureka, Chuck, Being Human (UK Maybe US?) etc.
As an antipodean watcher of shows I rely on the online community to make up for the gross mistreatment of viewers by the Commercial channels (I'm talking to you Ch 10 and your abandonment of Supernatural mid-season 5!)
ReplyDeleteThrough the net I've managed to catch up with current shows and hear about new ones that may only last for one season. I am amazed and fascinated by the passion and dedication of pop culture fans as well as the wide range of opinions that some shows can generate.
The Spoiler Twitter feed keeps me current and connected to my favoutire shows such as Dr Who, Supernatural, Nikita, Eureka, Chuck, Being Human (UK Maybe US?) etc.
I love taking part in the discussions among the fans...especially sites like this one where so many people like having intelligent conversations. You may not always agree with your fellow fans but it's fun to have a lively discussion with people who respect each others opinions.
ReplyDeleteI like playing on the spoilerTV polls but for the most part I don't personally like doing a lot of the polls.
Very important! And for some shows, internet buzz can help save them from cancelation. Writers/producers pay attention to who is recapping, blogging, discussing their shows and the more buzz the better. Plus, I think it's a great way to show support for your favorite shows and you meet great people who love them as much as you do.
ReplyDeleteIt's 100% important to support your favourite show on the net. Recently Supernatural fans were able to give our guys, Jensen & Jared (and the rest of the cast & crew) the best gift so far by voting them on to the front of a TV listings magazine and we couldn't have done that without the internet...snail mail would not have been the same, lol.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got into Supernatural I joined a few fan sites and made some really good friends on there. We became so tight we decided to have our own meeting place..a page which is closed to outsiders..just simply because we get on so well. We have a great time, laughing, sharing, sometimes crying about everything supernatural...but also about stuff that goes on in our own real lives. So far there are 14 of us, 13 females and one male...bless him, out numbered but he's happy.
We meet every Saturday in a virtual pub to talk about the most recent episode..although that's not good for these coming 6 weeks as supernatural is taking its break, but bet your life we'll find something to discuss, disecting each episode, questioning where the writer (Sera Gamble) is going with series 6. So yes I think forums etc are is now a very important part of being involved with your favourite show.
Lol, so far, I've really only been like this with Supernatural, but I think it makes i quite a bit more fun when you can help support the show, even if you don't have the money to financially support the show. :} It just makes the whole experience more rich. >W<
ReplyDeleteaww thanks :)
ReplyDeletei enjoy yours too, you're one of the few people i always skim through the page to find your posts.
i think its funny that a site that started out for lost has transformed into a site almost dominated by spn lovers. it just makes watching the show that much better
Communities are really fun to discuss new episodes and have polls and stuff but I think it can help to promote the show outside the community. For example the Supernatural fans won the TV Guide cover and that can really help to promote the show. I mean, I first found out about Supernatural through a magazine I usually read that featured the show.
ReplyDeleteAnd we love having you here :)
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly the reason I created SpoilerTV back in 2007 :)