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Post by Cybermortis on Sept 25, 2017 20:34:35 GMT
In news that surprised no one Discovery has topped Pirate Bay's top 30 most pirated list in less than 24 hours. www.indiewire.com/2017/09/star-trek-discovery-pilot-pirated-download-1201879908/It is also claimed that CBS All Access saw a record number of new subscribers; Which means nothing given that the statement A; Comes from CBS and B; Doesn't actually provide any figures to show how many actually signed up over a period of time. www.indiewire.com/2017/09/star-trek-discovery-premiere-record-cbs-all-access-1201879895/Discovery got 9.6 million viewers for the first part of its pilot (excluding DVR figures), while the Orville seems to be averaging around 8-8.5 million including DVR. (I'm going on wilkipedia figures for The Orville, which don't include DVR for the pilot or third episode; which brought in 4 million or so but in fairness was also the episode where they switched to a new day and time) Discovery's ratings are good as is, the highest for a Trek series was back in 1991 at 11.5 million and when coupled with DVR might well exceed that figure. However subsequent ratings are going to be hidden by CBS, as they don't have to release those figures. Expect more claims of 'record number of viewers' and 'biggest most popular series' without any actual figures released to show how well it is actually doing compared to anything else. Also expect CBS not to say anything as to how many subscribers leave as soon as the series is over and done with. It might be more interesting to see what Netflix says, if indeed they say anything. More telling will be if Netflix picks the show up for a second season or not. |
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Post by GTCGreg on Sept 25, 2017 20:59:07 GMT
It might be more interesting to see what Netflix says, if indeed they say anything. More telling will be if Netflix picks the show up for a second season or not. Did I miss something? As far as I've heard, there is no plans for Netflix to stream Discovery now or in the future. Besides, that decision would be by CBS and I don't see them releasing it. EDIT: It appears that Netflix will be streaming Discovery, but only outside the U.S. In the States, it is only available on CBS Access. |
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Post by mrfatso on Sept 25, 2017 21:33:49 GMT
I have just watched the first episode of Netflixs here in the UK and I enjoyed it , the new Klingons are a little jarring but we will just have to get used to the redesign.
Before Netflixs picks up the show for another season CBS will have to decide what they want To do.
I can't compare this to Orville yet so a not make any comparison, but having said that at the moment I prefer "The Expanse".
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Post by Cybermortis on Sept 25, 2017 22:40:33 GMT
It might be more interesting to see what Netflix says, if indeed they say anything. More telling will be if Netflix picks the show up for a second season or not. Did I miss something? As far as I've heard, there is no plans for Netflix to stream Discovery now or in the future. Besides, that decision would be by CBS and I don't see them releasing it. EDIT: It appears that Netflix will be streaming Discovery, but only outside the U.S. In the States, it is only available on CBS Access. Netflix entered into a deal with CBS to air the series outside the US, the money they handed over basically paid for the entire series. This is why Netflix was NOT happy at all the behind the scenes drama that took place. We don't know the specifics of the deal, such as if Netflix is free to release viewing figures for the series or not. My guess would be they'd at least have to get permission from CBS first, so bad viewer figures could be hidden. Not that Netflix normally goes around telling people how many people watch their shows anyway. |
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Post by GTCGreg on Sept 26, 2017 0:39:12 GMT
The thing that got me a little irked is that they said they were going to air the pilot episode on free TV and then the rest on paid access. So they make it a two hour pilot and only air half on pay TV leaving a mid pilot cliff hanger and then expecting you to pay to see the second half of the pilot. Screw CBS.
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Post by ponytail61 on Sept 26, 2017 3:46:26 GMT
CBS offers a free 7 day trial of all access. I think I will wait until half the season is over and binge watch the episodes and then rinse and repeat with a new acct. for the second half if it's worth the trouble.
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Post by Lokifan on Sept 29, 2017 5:05:35 GMT
Okay, just saw the 4th episode of The Orville.
It works. I'm sold.
Not the greatest, but it's good enough to make me want to see the rest of the series.
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Post by GTCGreg on Sept 29, 2017 5:25:26 GMT
So Kelly screwed a blue alian. How many times are they going to tell us? Other than that, it was good. The show that is, not necessarily the blue guy.
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Post by Lokifan on Sept 29, 2017 7:15:24 GMT
That' MacFarlane's humor. Run the joke into the ground, then beat it into a spot where there used to be a joke.
But other than that, it was okay.
Of course, it could be that my standards are lower because there's so much drek about...
I'll be honest; it's nice to see a show that isn't unrelentingly negative.
I mean, think about it. Every medical or cop drama is usually about hideous crimes or diseases. Most sitcoms are about the "funny" way the hero(s) get themselves into and out of trouble. That stuff wears on you after awhile.
The Orville at least shows a positive view of the future, like the original Trek. It's refreshing.
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Post by Lokifan on Sept 29, 2017 7:16:19 GMT
By the way, if they don't get sued for this one, they won't get sued for anything.  |
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Post by the light works on Sept 29, 2017 14:42:37 GMT
the model is working for me, too. I won't go so far as to describe it as must see TV, but it is amiable, entertaining despite the occasional done to death bit, and doesn't require a huge emotional investment. and also, it isn't sanitary and utopian. people have real issues that the audience can more or less relate to.
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Post by GTCGreg on Sept 29, 2017 16:00:49 GMT
It fills me my Star Trek fix without having to pay for it.
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Post by WhutScreenName on Oct 6, 2017 12:38:12 GMT
Orvill was on last night (episode 5) and I got to watch it. I can say that I like the show. It's got a good mix of 'drama' and comedy. It's still true that much of the comedy is childish, but it keeps the show from being to serious. I'm also enjoying the story lines. Without giving any spoilers, last night's episode was VERY Star Trek. It's a good show to give my my missing Star Trek fix. And, since I can't see Discovery (no way am I paying for it when I disliked the first episode as much as I did) this show is welcomed.
That said, they continue to beat the blue alien affair joke...over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over (and that's just in last night's episode) again. THANKFULLY, they went with some practical jokes as well to give a little variety.
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Post by Cybermortis on Oct 6, 2017 14:24:24 GMT
According to CBS their streaming service has seen a 200% increase in numbers since the beginning of the year, much of which has been put down to Discovery.
Sounds impressive...until you realize that the estimated number of CBS All Access subscribers as of February was just under 1.5 million, and the increase doesn't include people who signed up to watch the second episode of Discovery and promptly cancelled their subscriptions.
So a rough estimate would be total subscriber figures as around 4-4.5 million when Discovery first aired, for a total viewership (accounting for roughly 1/3rd of already existing subscribers not being interested in Trek and having signed up for something else) in the region of 3 million or so. Even if you assume almost all of the subscribers were watching the figures would still be around 4 million.
This is a disaster when you compare this to The Orville, which based on what figures I can find is getting almost the same number of viewers live watching and over twice that much with DVR viewers included. (Roughly 3.7 million live and approximately 9 million total).
If you add in the respective costs of the series (the Orville is a LOT cheaper) and the viewer reactions* it seems Discovery has tanked.
Worse for Discovery is that even if they opt to go with a second season they can't air it until 2019, meaning that if the Orville is also renewed its going to basically get a full year with nothing to compete with.
(*Critic scores are high for Discovery, low for Orville - although its been noted that most of the 'positive' reviews used for Rotten Tomatoes are not actually that positive. The viewer scores are the direct opposite of this. With viewers ranking Discovery low and Orville highly. While good critic reviews are important initially, in the long run networks know that it is the fan reviews that are far more important.)
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Post by the light works on Oct 6, 2017 14:57:48 GMT
According to CBS their streaming service has seen a 200% increase in numbers since the beginning of the year, much of which has been put down to Discovery. Sounds impressive...until you realize that the estimated number of CBS All Access subscribers as of February was just under 1.5 million, and the increase doesn't include people who signed up to watch the second episode of Discovery and promptly cancelled their subscriptions. So a rough estimate would be total subscriber figures as around 4-4.5 million when Discovery first aired, for a total viewership (accounting for roughly 1/3rd of already existing subscribers not being interested in Trek and having signed up for something else) in the region of 3 million or so. Even if you assume almost all of the subscribers were watching the figures would still be around 4 million. This is a disaster when you compare this to The Orville, which based on what figures I can find is getting almost the same number of viewers live watching and over twice that much with DVR viewers included. (Roughly 3.7 million live and approximately 9 million total). If you add in the respective costs of the series (the Orville is a LOT cheaper) and the viewer reactions* it seems Discovery has tanked. Worse for Discovery is that even if they opt to go with a second season they can't air it until 2019, meaning that if the Orville is also renewed its going to basically get a full year with nothing to compete with. (*Critic scores are high for Discovery, low for Orville - although its been noted that most of the 'positive' reviews used for Rotten Tomatoes are not actually that positive. The viewer scores are the direct opposite of this. With viewers ranking Discovery low and Orville highly. While good critic reviews are important initially, in the long run networks know that it is the fan reviews that are far more important.) the best critic reviews can do is bring fans. fan reviews reflect eyes on the show. a million lukewarm fan reviews is still, when everything gets converted to numbers, a million times better than one glowing critic review with no fan reviews at all. but I am unclear - are your numbers for CBS pay to view double COUNTING the people who watched one episode of discovery, and then canceled, or double PLUS the people who watched and canceled? |
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Post by Cybermortis on Oct 6, 2017 16:11:40 GMT
CBS figures were for the number of subscribers around the time that the pilot aired, compared to figures from earlier in the year. It will not take into account people who cancelled their subscriptions after this date.
Note that CBS has done what I said they would do; Give what are most likely accurate statements but without any numbers or context in which to judge if it is actually a good or bad thing.
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Post by GTCGreg on Oct 6, 2017 16:31:22 GMT
I finally have access to Discovery thanks to a friend. The friend subscribed to Access, not just for Discovery, but because CBS advertised he would also be able to watch older episodes of Star Trek and JAG, one of his favorite old shows. So after he subscribed, the first thing he does is to que up a two part episode of JAG. He watches the first part and goes to watch the second episode of the two part series. No second episode is available. After doing some checking, he finds that there are a number of two parters that are either missing the first or the second parts. Same for many of the Star Trek episodes. Maybe CBS plans to offer a second paid service to watch the second part of two part series.
I haven't had time to watch the second and third episode of Discovery yet, but it looks like I better do so soon because it sounds like he will be canceling his subscription.
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Post by the light works on Oct 6, 2017 17:00:39 GMT
CBS figures were for the number of subscribers around the time that the pilot aired, compared to figures from earlier in the year. It will not take into account people who cancelled their subscriptions after this date. Note that CBS has done what I said they would do; Give what are most likely accurate statements but without any numbers or context in which to judge if it is actually a good or bad thing. okay, that clarifies the statement. |
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Post by Cybermortis on Oct 6, 2017 19:01:54 GMT
I finally have access to Discovery thanks to a friend. The friend subscribed to Access, not just for Discovery, but because CBS advertised he would also be able to watch older episodes of Star Trek and JAG, one of his favorite old shows. So after he subscribed, the first thing he does is to que up a two part episode of JAG. He watches the first part and goes to watch the second episode of the two part series. No second episode is available. After doing some checking, he finds that there are a number of two parters that are either missing the first or the second parts. Same for many of the Star Trek episodes. Maybe CBS plans to offer a second paid service to watch the second part of two part series. I haven't had time to watch the second and third episode of Discovery yet, but it looks like I better do so soon because it sounds like he will be canceling his subscription. I've heard complaints like this about CBS AA in relation to series that are either missing episodes or missing entirely. As I said about a year ago, I think, the major issue with CBS's online service is that they have a flagship series in Discovery, but no real 'fleet' behind it to justify people subscribing or remaining subscribed. This was going to be the case even if Trek fans were not unhappy with CBS/Paramount from the start. This is basically the exact same situation the Paramount Channel was in with Voyager, and I noted that the Paramount network went out of business shortly after Voyager finished its run. Here the situation is actually worse, as reports indicate that even if they were to green light a season two right now they would not be able to bring it to the screen before 2019. If that were not bad enough Discovery was effectively paid for by the Netflix deal, and Netflix is reported to be VERY unhappy at what the end result has been. Unless the overseas viewer figures are higher than for every other Netfix series, and show those viewers are sticking around afterwards, it seems unlikely that they would be willing to fund a second season especially if they would have to wait two years to get it. Now if my estimate of around 4 million viewers is correct, there is no way CBS could justify producing a second season at anything close to the money spent on the first season on its own. Even if the actual figures are around 5 million, and streaming is bringing in more money per viewer than traditional TV, I still doubt that CBS would be able to justify a season two as being cost effective. Keep in mind that Enterprise was canceled with viewer figures of some 3 million per episode, and while an expensive series once you take into account that this was for a 22-24 episode series, rather than the 13 for Discovery, it would work out cheaper per episode than Discovery does. |
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Post by GTCGreg on Oct 6, 2017 19:28:34 GMT
It would be hard enough for any TV series to make it with that kind of help from CBS. Guess CBS' motto should be; "Failure is the only option".
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