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Author Topic: Should we try and get Sky involved?  (Read 868 times)
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PCC Fred

Space Pope
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« on: 04-17-2002 04:48 »

Despite the continuing absence of "A Tale of Two Santas", Sky are doing a great job airing episodes, far better than FOX.  Four Sundays in a row, another new episode this Sunday, and each episode repeated the following Friday.

I know somebody's mentioned this in another thread, but given that FOX don't give a toss about Futurama, is it worth starting a petition/mail campaign to Sky to try to get them to buy the rights to the show, or help fund new episodes?
Tweek

UberMod
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #1 on: 04-17-2002 05:05 »

Would Sky help though, both it and Fox belong to Murdoch?
PCC Fred

Space Pope
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« Reply #2 on: 04-17-2002 05:19 »

It's a good question, but I still think they're worth trying, because they couldn't make the situation any worse than it is now.
the_AmyLover_1

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #3 on: 04-17-2002 07:30 »

good point.

I think sky would do something if aproached.

As you said they are currently doing an excellent job with Futurama, I've really got to give to them on this season.
I dunno about FOX in the US, but here sky sees there is a loyal fan-base for the show and they seem to support it good.
wiggles

Bending Unit
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« Reply #4 on: 04-17-2002 08:51 »
« Last Edit on: 04-17-2002 08:51 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by the_AmyLover_1:
I think sky would do something if aproached.

Hmm... Wish I could believe that. As already mentioned its part of the Murdoch empire and currently buys Futurama (at a knock-down price) from FOX. I think Sky would have to have a _really_ huge fanbase (i.e. Sky would collapse if it stopped showing it!) for it to get involved.

I'd be interested to see the UK ratings for the show. Sky has it in quite a prominent time-slot, right after new 'Simpsons' on a Sunday night. I'm sure the show does well in comparison with other 'Sky One' shows.

The other thing is that Sky does not have a major digital rival at this point (unlike FOX who have NBC et al). Sure it has the Beeb and ITV but these are free-to-air and unless Sky One goes down the same route (not likely) then its not going to compete directly.

Lest us not forget: Futurama is not dead... yet. We still have another season to come and I will be looking forward to every-single-one of the eps. In fact im actually more excited about the Season 2 DVD release (please, please, please let there be full commentry tracks). Futurama in a crisp clear uncut digital form, give me an excuse to bin my tatty vids for all eternity.

wiggles
Otis P Jivefunk

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #5 on: 04-17-2002 13:10 »
« Last Edit on: 04-17-2002 13:10 »

That's a good idea PCC Fred, it's worth a try even though the chances of them actually doing something are low. I agree that Sky are doing an excellent job of airing new episodes, I'd rather they started it earlier and showed one episode every two weeks, but they are still doing a great job. It's also good how they often show repeats like during the easter hollidays, I wasn't too happy to see it edited and advertised with Pokemon though.
wiggles

Bending Unit
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« Reply #6 on: 04-17-2002 15:15 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Otis P Jivefunk:
I wasn't too happy to see it edited and advertised with Pokemon though.

Hehe.... They did that during the run-up to S3 too.
KENNEDY

Starship Captain
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« Reply #7 on: 04-17-2002 15:35 »

Does Sky even have an animation studio?It'll take a few million to buy the rights and then more to make episodes.Is this such a feisable idea?
SQFreak

Professor
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« Reply #8 on: 04-18-2002 16:14 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by KENNEDY:
Does Sky even have an animation studio?It'll take a few million to buy the rights and then more to make episodes.Is this such a feisable idea?

Probably not. The show would cease to be the same since they couldn't get all the writers and animators over to the U.K.

But, the animators work for Rough Draft Korea in South Korea, right? But the writers, directors, etc...
payndz

Bending Unit
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« Reply #9 on: 04-18-2002 17:08 »

Ugh. Just saw the latest Sky advert for the Sunday schedule. "At 6:00, new Simpsons! At 8:00, Cheesy Football Soap Opera! At 9:00, Drunken Meatheads Abroad!" Oddly omitting the fact that at 7:00, there's a certain other Matt Groening animated show on the air.

Personally, I doubt that Sky give a crap about Futurama...
PCC Fred

Space Pope
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« Reply #10 on: 04-18-2002 18:05 »

Fair point payndz, I've seen the same advert.  It was just a thought.
Otis P Jivefunk

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #11 on: 04-19-2002 14:06 »

At least it's on though :D
Tweek

UberMod
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #12 on: 04-19-2002 14:34 »

Apart from "Tourists behaving badly" type shows does Sky make any original programmes?
PCC Fred

Space Pope
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« Reply #13 on: 04-08-2003 18:17 »

*BUMP*

With Futurama getting incredibly better ratings on Sky than FOX, maybe it's time to ponder this question again.
aslate

Space Pope
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« Reply #14 on: 04-08-2003 18:39 »

Wow, i thought this was a new thread, and then i read the fact that your post is before Tweek's. I didn't notice the year!

Looks like Futurama's position hasn't changed in a year either, as i read all the posts and after similar discussion in other threads this all seemed to work.
Killerfox

Professor
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« Reply #15 on: 04-08-2003 18:42 »

come on we got to make the show to continue alive. wa have to do all we can. i dont give a crap as long as the show continues
CyberKnight

Urban Legend
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« Reply #16 on: 04-09-2003 13:11 »
« Last Edit on: 04-09-2003 13:11 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by KENNEDY:
Does Sky even have an animation studio?It'll take a few million to buy the rights and then more to make episodes.Is this such a feisable idea?

FOX doesn't even own the animation studio which produces Futurama, either. FOX just buys the episodes from Curiosity Company to air (and the right to air (or in this case, not air them)). They wouldn't even have to move to the UK, Sky could just buy the episodes from Curiosity in the States.

That said, it's highly unlikely Sky would/could do anything about it. They've certainly been treating Futurama pretty dang good this season (aside from the Simpsons 300th pre-emption, but I think we can forgive them for that   ;)), but they're still a niche network in a country that simply isn't as rich as the US.

Futurama's suffering from "wrong time" syndrome. Perhaps in 2009, when the terrestrial networks will be turned off, Sky would probably have been more interested in picking up a show which would consolidate their stake in digital tv. The economic downturn probably hasn't helped Futurama in the US either (networks seeking cost-cutting measures).

Of course, never say never. It would be a big publicity boon for Sky to have control of a Groening show, and they'd probably promote the hell out of it to make a good return on their investment (like CN), but I imagine it would take a significant bite out of their production budget.

EDIT: Oh, and Sky do make some of their own shows, like Dream Team et al.
payndz

Bending Unit
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« Reply #17 on: 04-09-2003 14:39 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by CyberKnight:

EDIT: Oh, and Sky do make some of their own shows, like Dream Team et al.

Dream Team is paid for by Sky, but made by Hewland. Yes, the company that brought you Gamesmaster (or "Gaymesmawstahhhhhh!" when Dextah Fletchah was presenting it) has moved into 'drama'. They also make Mile High as well. So, continuing the tradition of high quality original programming on Sky!  :puke:
Kazzahdrane

Starship Captain
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« Reply #18 on: 04-09-2003 15:06 »

Personally i think it's worth a shot.
CyberKnight

Urban Legend
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« Reply #19 on: 04-09-2003 16:39 »

I doubt it could make things much worse, and Sky might (a very tentative might) be able to exert some influence on FOX.
The Bender

Delivery Boy
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« Reply #20 on: 04-09-2003 16:50 »

there is another season? YES!!!! but yeah i do think it is worth a try. There really isnt anything to lose
PCC Fred

Space Pope
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« Reply #21 on: 04-09-2003 17:54 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by The Bender:
there is another season? YES!!!!

NO!!!!  The 10 remaining episodes were produced over a year ago.
Gocad

Space Pope
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« Reply #22 on: 04-10-2003 05:50 »
« Last Edit on: 04-10-2003 05:50 »

I doubt that FOX would ever agree to that...
Also, Futurama is very expensive to produce and while don't I know much about the english TV market, I have my doubts that a station outside the US could pull this off and get away with it. (By which I mean, paying for it and get the money back.)
sheep555

Liquid Emperor
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« Reply #23 on: 04-10-2003 17:21 »
« Last Edit on: 04-10-2003 17:21 »

Interestingly, I've seen loads of promos for Futurama on Fox, but they are normally on mid day - so I'm probably the single viewer watching...

Anyway as mentioned already somewhere else on the board, Futurama is doing extremely well on Sky (top 4th show on all cable / sat networks ), beating all but one episode of the Simpsons.

But the sheer cost would be too much for Sky (which isn't exactly raking it in at the moment), so it would seem very unlikely.

Edit: I remembered that Sky do actually have an in house animation studio, but it only works on graphics / promos for the channel. Just a thought.
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