Cartoon Network's Plan

[Reply #40 on:]

My understanding is that 5,000 families or some number like that get a box on top of their TV, and whenever they turn on the tv they have to enter in their age and gender, and then it keeps track of what shows they watch.  I think.  someone correct me if i'm wrong. 

[Reply #41 on:]

If you turned on your T.V. and you had to fill out a form saying your age and gender, I for one would get very annoyed, very quickly.  It wouldn't make sense for them to piss off their customers!   
(I don't really know, I'm just using logic)

[Reply #42 on:]

Apparently that's how it works though, and it is annoying.  We studied it in my TV class at school.  Apparently it's so annoying that a lot of people fudge the system, and every once in a while the Neilsons have feverish internal meetings discussing how to get people to not do that, becuase changing the ratings can mean millions in advertising dollars. 

[Reply #43 on:]

From Wikipedia:

Nielsen Television Ratings statistics are gathered in two ways: one is by extensive use of surveys, where viewers in various demographics are asked to report what television shows they watch at what times. The other is by the use of a limited number of Nielsen Boxes, which are small computers hooked up to a television in a home, which electronically records its activities. These Nielsen Boxes allow market researchers to study television viewing habits on a minute to minute basis, seeing at exactly what moment a viewer changed channels or turned off their TV.


*********************

The big networks have been in the news recently because they believe boxes provide less accurate data than diaries for ethnic minorities (I'm not sure why).

[Reply #44 on:]

We read about that... they're trying to redo how they do the whole thing, but apparently recently in Australia they actualy did change the polling system for daytime TV only, and it upset the ratings of the soap operas so much that they had to go back to the old system.  Since then, apparently, the Nielsons have been terrified of changing their system, not wanting to upset the balance of power of the networks.

[Reply #45 on:]

I just wanted to make sure the idiots who go,"Hey, everyone just watch Futurama every night and ratings will go up and the show will come back!!" were corrected. I believe(at least in the US) the boxes they use are so sophisticated they can tell if you're getting up during the show with motion detectors.I dont know the details but I know that the networks dont just magically know what you're watching.

[Reply #46 on:]

Whoa I never heard about motion detectors... but the key as I see it is that Futurama, as aired on [adult swim] especially, appeals to a demographic many of whose numbers are in college, and no college students ever appear in the Neilsons, our lives are too chaotic.  I'd bet if they could factor our lives somehow into the ratings system, things like Futurama, Family Guy, and prime time would show up as way more popular and watched. 

[Reply #47 on:]

my guess is they're trying to push up the ratings for futurama even more... they know it's gold, and want to get more new episodes. if i'm right, i hope it works

[Reply #48 on:]

well [as] is definitely trying to push up their ratings, whether ordering more episodes is in the stars or not is another issue.  hehehe... stars.  maybe they should go straight to a feature film? 

[Reply #49 on:]

Film would be much better than any new seasons.

[Reply #50 on:]

yeah i reckon they should make both
i mean simpsons is making a movie so why can't futurama have one. pluc more episodes would be good cause they would have more "adventures" than in a movie(where they have 1 main adventure)

[Reply #51 on:]

 

Originally posted by KVA:
They won't have enough money to produce both shows simultaneously.

I never knew CN was poor ...

[Reply #52 on:]

Well, I mean they had to team up with Fox to produce new Family Guy, if that even goes through... if you think about it, CN mostly airs stuff that is previously made, with some notable exceptions (PPG, Dexter, Samurai Jack, Ed Edd n Eddy? I think?) The [as] lineup is completely premade, except of course for the very cheap to produce 15 min shows like Sealab 2021 and ATHF.  My guess is they have a lot less money than Fox.

[Reply #53 on:]

Futurama is very expensive to produce. I think that that was one of the reasons why Fox closed it.
And CN won't be able to produce it alone, especcially when they spend their money on Family Guy.

[Reply #54 on:]

I'm pretty sure CN will bring back Futurama

[Reply #55 on:]

Maybe, but they will have to team up with Fox.

[Reply #56 on:]

CN doesn't have enough money to do that; Futurama's very expensive. FOX does have the money, and they hold the rights, but they're not interested anymore.

[Reply #57 on:]

I believe CN has the money,,,they are Time Warner
and most likely FBC will not let Futurama go so
easily,because fox SUCK's.

[Reply #58 on:]

You are right : Fox really SUCK. I hate them, I hate them, I hate them........

[Reply #59 on:]

I think it's really just a matter of raising money for a feature film, at this point.  I'm sure if Groening got the rights from Fox, and a major backer, CN would put up SOME money, but these things are expensive. 

[Reply #60 on:]

Fox is gonna play the new family guy eps then AD has  the rights to play them at a later time. But AD is in full support to play them anyway if the fox deal didnt work out

[Reply #61 on:]

Fox let so many good show's slip through their
hand's because they have that FAMILY entertainment
image. and i think comedy central should have new
EP'S of Futurama CC is a cool ass station.

Welcome-to-PEEL:COOLGUY292!!!
enjoy...

[Reply #62 on:]

I don't care if Futurama comes on the Food Channel(Though that would be strange). All I care about is that I get the channel that it comes on.

Futurama would do very well on Comedy Central, since CC targets the same general audience that Futurama does, teens and young adults.

[Reply #63 on:]

 

Originally posted by Alliteration:
I don't care if Futurama comes on the Food Channel(Though that would be strange). All I care about is that I get the channel that it comes on.

Futurama would do very well on Comedy Central, since CC targets the same general audience that Futurama does, teens and young adults.

Thank you...Alliteration ...

[Reply #64 on:]

No problemo.

[Reply #65 on:]

When people sign the Bring Back futurama Petition, please don't bad mouth Simpsons, Groening is the creater and our war isn't with him, it's with FOX.

Dr. dave, in your post earlier
you said F*X (or something like that), did you mean the FX channel or FOX?

[Reply #66 on:]

 

Originally posted by Lrrr_2004:
When people sign the Bring Back futurama Petition, please don't bad mouth Simpsons, Groening is the creater and our war isn't with him, it's with FOX.

Dr. dave, in your post earlier
you said F*X (or something like that), did you mean the FX channel or FOX?

F*X is how I describe the network that cancelled my favorite show, whose name I will not speak (at least, on this board).

[Reply #67 on:]

Lets just hope thats their plan..

[Reply #68 on:]

yes lets hope they are going to make more.
someone said it might have cost alot. i think it cost less than the simpsons but they are keeping that going because of it's so popular. but futurama should get more eps etc

[Reply #69 on:]

The difference is "The Simpsons" bring in a shitload of money in ad revenue, merchandise, syndication deals, etc.

I don't know the production cost of "The Simpsons" but for Futurama it's estimated somewhere around 800000-1200000 (it varies depending on who you ask). And if "The Simpsons" cost more, they could just stop having one pointless celebrity guest star after another, would cost the expenses in half right there.

[Reply #70 on:]

The Simpsons costs slightly less to produce now, because it's all digital (same as Futurama), but with hardly any 3D (the 3D that's been in The Simpsons has been pretty obvious - eg, the big ball of rolling people (I forget the episode)).

However, the cost is increased by cast fees (much larger than Futurama, especially if the cast get the pay increase they currently want). So The Simpsons probably costs less to animate, but much more to write and cast.

[Reply #71 on:]

The Simpsons is gonan costm ore you know sincde the Cast are demanding a bit more pay. Heres my solution Matt! Say you have magic beans and give them to 'em as extra salary! Even if they're jelly beans! You can trick 'em. Cast aren't the smartest people in the world you know!

[Reply #72 on:]

That is true Davey, the voice artists are getting a bit more bitchy aboot $ and it would make the cost per episode go up. But, Futurama still costs MUCH more to make just b/c of the quality of animation needed for each episode.

[Reply #73 on:]

Snobs those cast members!

Always lookind down on us unclear voice people!

[Reply #74 on:]

For your information, i have a lovely voice thank you!

[Reply #75 on:]

My voice, not so much.

I just realized in the episode with Mel Gibson, Homer sounds very whinny throught the whole episode.

[Reply #76 on:]

Due to a sore throat my voice haven't sounded this funny in years, probably decades.

 

Originally posted by Lrrr_2004:
 in the episode with Mel Gibson, Homer sounds very whinny throught the whole season.

FIXED!

[Reply #77 on:]

[large]FIXED?[/large]

[Reply #78 on:]

It wasn't just that episode, Homer acted childish and whiny the entire season.

[Reply #79 on:]

 

Originally posted by sheep555:
The Simpsons costs slightly less to produce now, because it's all digital (same as Futurama), but with hardly any 3D (the 3D that's been in The Simpsons has been pretty obvious - eg, the big ball of rolling people (I forget the episode)).

However, the cost is increased by cast fees (much larger than Futurama, especially if the cast get the pay increase they currently want). So The Simpsons probably costs less to animate, but much more to write and cast.

Something like DAT!!!