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Extending TV Shows with Online Content - Does it Interest You?

As a continuation of yesterday’s post, I’m curious about what people actually think about online content. I for one love coming online to discuss the latest episode of my favourite TV show. I enjoy reading recaps and discussion about the themes, events and revelations that are present within episodes.

However, when it comes to official online content, I am much less interested. Perhaps it is a side effect from living in Australia – being so far behind in our airings, one has to avoid television network sites due to the minefield of spoilers they contain. Furthermore, there is a seediness to the whole concept; a feeling that it’s nothing more than a revenue grab. While I understand those special effects don’t pay for themselves, I believe that fans should be treated with some respect.

Part of me also feels that if you need to bolster your show with extra online plotlines, then you’re not doing things right in the first place. A programme needs to stand alone – anything else should be in addition, and certainly not be pivotal. I think that’s why I prefer interaction with other fans, rather than video or information put online by the creators.

Sometimes, too, I just plain can’t be bothered. I watch TV to relax and unwind – any online content that requires me to do any actual work pretty much defeats the purpose. I shouldn’t have to complete a complex series of online tasks to just to discover why Timmy fell down the well.

So, what’s your opinion? Does online content interest you? Do you think programmes should focus on it more? Or should the process be fan-controlled and organic?
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17 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]
1. December 7th 2006 @ 04:42. Adele Says:
Lost has a lot of online content. I really like it for that show. The storylines online aren't necessary to understand or enjoy the show, but they do add to the mythology and background.

It's not something I would do for most shows. I don't even know if other shows have that, though I suppose they must or you wouldn't have posted about it.
2. December 7th 2006 @ 05:19. Nina Says:
Adele: Lost and Jericho were the shows I had in mind when I wrote the post, though I'm sure that other shows would be heading in the same direction. I think with a show like Lost it does work because, as you said, it increases the background and mythology, which really are the drawcards for the show.
3. December 7th 2006 @ 06:34. JohnDoe Says:
The season 3 prequel that featured online for Battlestar Galactica was essential viewing for fans who needed a fix and were sick of waiting....

Personally I dont think many showsd are of a quality that warrants online content, but then we live in an era where Friends ran for 10 years so Im sure Im wrong.
4. December 7th 2006 @ 06:46. Nina Says:
JohnDoe: I think you're right - many shows aren't of a quality or style that does warrant online content. When they start doing online tie-ins for sitcoms, then we probably should be worried.
5. December 7th 2006 @ 11:55. Mrs M Says:
I agree with you Nina that programmes need to stand alone and anything "on-line" should just be extra stuff. It is awfully presumptious that people will have the time or inclination to get on line in the first place.

Mrs M
6. December 7th 2006 @ 12:47. Daressi Says:
I'm sick of numerous variety of TV shows (on TV) . Lot of those shows have very similar thematics. I'm for less TV shows (on TV) .

On-line content --No thanks . I would rather spend my life in meeting (chatting) with friends , playing soccer , riding a bike, making love or even simple sleeping ...

Bye beauty )
7. December 7th 2006 @ 14:07. Ashish Says:
Online contents are necessary to an extend.

One reason is that those programs need to make money,you cant stop it.

Secondly people get benifit thoght it might not be effective some times.

Here in india we also have like commercials like 15 min and 15 min serials lol...i hate adds but .,.....

They should make it more interactive so that people dont get bothered...

Rest is all game of money
8. December 7th 2006 @ 23:47. Nina Says:
Mrs M: Very true. The assumption that people will go online for extra content is an awfully big one to make.
9. December 7th 2006 @ 23:48. Nina Says:
Daressi: That's a nice lot of interests to have. But I still think there is merit in a bit of TV watching every now and then
10. December 7th 2006 @ 23:55. Nina Says:
Ashish: Ads are annoying enough - ones that go for 15 minutes would be really aggravating! You're right though; mostly it is about money. Producers and networks need to realise that a show should run like an organisation - of course money is important, but customer satisfaction is paramount.
11. December 8th 2006 @ 01:23. KylieW Says:
Nina,

I love a show to have a strong online presence. But I usually go there to either discuss a show, or read recaps (or in the case of some of the shows we get so late....read the episodes before we get them).

As for extra episodes and plot lines. To be honest, it doesn't really do anything for me. I kind of agree with you that if you have to invent extra plotlines, perhaps you should be paying more attention to your script in the first place.

KylieW
12. December 8th 2006 @ 02:25. Nina Says:
KylieW: I think the internet has been a great force for television in a lot of ways, as it allows water cooler discussion of the latest episodes of a much grander scale.
13. December 12th 2006 @ 02:23. Johanna Says:
I'm not that big on online content. I like to relax and watch TV, whereas I view the computer as more like work.
14. December 12th 2006 @ 02:27. Nina Says:
Johanna: I would think that is a fairly common distinction amongst people. The last thing television shows should want to do is align themselves with the concept of work, rather than relaxation or enjoyment.
15. December 12th 2006 @ 18:06. Ashish Says:
Its going to be like in between of it.If we try to turn that Box into computer people wont like it either.You can just try to give some more customization and make people move from their sofa so that they can interact more.

Its like less of idiot box and more of interaction
16. December 12th 2006 @ 23:26. Nina Says:
Ashish: There definitely has to be some balance to the whole idea. It's a good idea for both television and the internet to have elements of each other, but people won't like it if they take the concept too far.
17. December 13th 2006 @ 01:16. Ashish Says:
Agreed.Hehe if they ask me to review i will give them a new looks.I will soon write an article on my tech blog about it.Keep coming

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