[ThriceShy]

Originally Posted by Beetlejuice

It's not a question about them being glued to the live feed. It's the question of the buzz that can be created through watching things unfold live. The fact that you can actually get to know the housemates and care about them.

The show cannot survive with housemates no one cares about, and it's now slow moving format is just a drain. There used to be thread after thread on Digital Spy about what was going on in the house, now there's nothing. Everything about this show is now so slow and laborious it is damn near impossible to give a damn about any of it. The only way they are able to make people care is by relying on housemates we once were able to get to know and did care about.

You are spot on.


But you are fighting a losing battle. The production have decided they must have complete control over everything that goes on in the house and everything that is seen by viewers, so they won't bring live feed back.

[Jason.]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

Who's gonna watch over 30 minutes of something that's not gonna be on for another 5 weeks when they could be watching the Soaps on the other side?

Live Feed I would put on the Ch5 website that you have to pay to watch anyway.

Isn't that more of a reason to watch, considering we hardly get it?

Even the 2 hour live feed in the evenings during BB14 rated poorly. That was everyday. Till they axed it, after Week 4.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

Who's gonna watch over 30 minutes of something that's not gonna be on for another 5 weeks when they could be watching the Soaps on the other side?

Live Feed I would put on the Ch5 website that you have to pay to watch anyway.

He's referring to the live feed after the live shows. If even those can't get the viewers with the lead-in from a live show, eviction night, twist, launch night etc then it's not going to do much in any larger form.

Unless Eastenders is robbing 10 million viewers with a late night special every Friday?

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Beetlejuice

So you agree that the old format of BB was better? All some of us are saying is that it needs to return to that in some way. We just happen to think the live coverage is a more important part of that old format than you obviously do.

No, I think live feed is important to the old format.

Do I think live feed is going to save the show in its current form? No.

Do I think doing such things will attract viewers and see the ratings soar? No.

I can differentiate between what I personally enjoy and find quality and what is realistically going to work.

Times change. Live feed isn't even the start of the problems with the show.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Beetlejuice

Not really. The Summer CBB rates poorly compared to January.

So?

It still rates much higher than the civilian version.

Summer TV across the board rates poorly compared to the winter months when everyone is indoors.

Either way CBB attracts the bigger ratings.

If we're comparing like for like, BB12 aired in the colder months and didn't perform much better than BB15.

[Beetlejuice]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

That can happen without feed.

"AARON FREW EJECTED. HERE IS THE VIDEO."

We didn't find out he was ejected until quite a few hours later. And no one particuarly cared because no one really knew who any of these people were. And frankly, we still don't.

That's the entire point of their website, they update with the big moments and the updates and the "buzz" worthy events but the small moments are all discarded.

Their website is f'n awful. We didn't even find out that they nominated face to face in week 1 until 24 hours later. They are awful at keeping the viewers informed whether on the twitter feed or the site. The live coverage solves that problem for them.

Are these viewers interested in the small moments though, do they really care to "get to know" the housemates in such small ways through a feed? No, they're not.

Erm, yes. Many are. Hence the reason the biggest complaint year after year, and especially during BB10 and when it came back on Channel 5 was in regards to the live coverage. That was what Big Brother was about. Indeed that was Big Brother! And again, it was the constant interaction between the fans of the show and what was going on in the house that gave the show a sense of urgency and immediacy.

Ever since it has lost that completely, it has been in a terrible state. Which is to say, ever since it moved to Channel 5.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

That can happen without feed.

"AARON FREW EJECTED. HERE IS THE VIDEO."

That's the entire point of their website, they update with the big moments and the updates and the "buzz" worthy events but the small moments are all discarded.

Are these viewers interested in the small moments though, do they really care to "get to know" the housemates in such small ways through a feed? No, they're not.

Well “these viewers” were interested in it on Ch4, so why can't they be interested in it now?

[abhorson]

YES. I hope it finishes. This constant tinkering with who stays and who does not, really annoys. If it were not for the final pass last year, Helen would not have won. That is not right. Only ****wits would have voted for her in the last week.

There were plenty of ****wits though!

[Beetlejuice]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

So?

It still rates much higher than the civilian version.

Yes and I've told you why. But the highest rated Civilian series was the one with the extra live coverage. It actually got much closer to the CBB figures

Either way CBB attracts the bigger ratings.

If we're comparing like for like, BB12 aired in the colder months and didn't perform much better than BB15.

The launch night of Big Brother 12 was 2.77 million. Had the viewers actually been able to switch on the live coverage and get to know these people from the start, it probably would have hung on to a few more than it did. It was particularly disappointing because the Daily Star and all those involved with Channel 5 had promised that the red button interactive channel would be back.

[LukeB]

what is going on

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Beetlejuice

We didn't find out he was ejected until quite a few hours later. And no one particuarly cared because no one really knew who any of these people were. And frankly, we still don't.



Their website is f'n awful. We didn't even find out that they nominated face to face in week 1 until 24 hours later. They are awful at keeping the viewers informed whether on the twitter feed or the site. The live coverage solves that problem for them.



Erm, yes. Many are. Hence the reason the biggest complain year after year, and specially during BB10 and when it came back on Channel 5 was in regards to the live coverage. That was what Big Brother was about. Indeed that was Big Brother! And again, it was the constant interaction between the fans of the show and what was going on in the house that gave the show a sense of urgency and immediacy.

Ever since it has lost that completely, it has been in a terrible state. Which is to say, ever since it moved to Channel 5.

A big complaint during BB10 = a huge proportion of viewers.
A big complaint now = a small percentage of a small number of viewers.

The casuals have already gone, live feed will not bring them back. An entire overhaul of the entire franchise is needed. And even then the show is 16 years old so may not even have an audience to attract anymore.

Yes, we found out hours later, does that matter to a lot of people? They found out when they find out, they still discuss it. Did everyone go "Oh, well it would've been better to hear about this at 8am than at 12pm that's killed the buzz of this breaking news"? No.

The issue over the crap website is a separate complaint. The opposite of that isn't necessarily live feed, it's a better website.

[zakman440]

Honestly, BBCAN is leading in the world of Big Brother at the moment for two reasons:

1: Live Feed. It's keeping people interested and the ratings a success for the network that it runs on.

Global makes way for more homegrown heavyweights with green lights of three Canadian original series, including ratings juggernaut Big Brother Canada which is set to return for a fourth season. This past season quickly became the most shocking, twisted, and dramatic season yet, captivating Canadians across the country. The show's third season, and its inaugural run on Global, grew its audience by 40% over its sophomore season on Slice* claiming its place as a top 20 series across all conventional programming since its premiere.** Fans flocked to bigbrothercanada.ca to engage and cast votes to impact the show and were glued to the live feeds with over 1.6 million hours of live streaming consumed during the season run, a 33% increase over last season.***

http://www.shawmedia.ca/Media/PressR...eId=6442462338

2. Producer honesty.

Speaking ahead of the launch of its third season, showrunner Erin Brock said that 24-hour live streaming from the house forces the producers to be honest with viewers.

“We react to the fans online constantly on this show,” she told the Toronto Sun newspaper.

“Since they can watch you 24/7 online, you have to tell true stories, you have to tell people’s true experiences, and you can’t make up some cagey reality thing. You don’t have that choice. You’re held accountable to the truth of the experience with those houseguests. That’s why it really is an authentic social experiment.”


Read more: http://www.bbspy.co.uk/bbcan/news/03...#ixzz3dMqQMasr

That is what BBUK needs to be doing to keep people interested and to stop the ratings decreasing lower and lower.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Beetlejuice

Yes and I've told you why. But the highest rated Civilian series was the one with the extra live coverage. It actually got much closer to the CBB figures

BB14 had a higher audience because of the extra live coverage?

The same live coverage that had no viewers and was axed 4 weeks in, moved online and they still didn't see fit to bring back for BB15?

I don't think so.

The feed probably helped hang on to some of those die hards who became more engrossed. But the other 90% of the show needs to bring the viewers in first and then the live feed can possibly attract them. Like I said, feed is low on the priority list.

[ThriceShy]

Yep, the main reason I want live feed back is not so I can sit watching it. It is so I can be reassured that what I see in the highlights is real.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

Well “these viewers” were interested in it on Ch4, so why can't they be interested in it now?

Were they by the end?

C4 axed the feed in 2009. It was only brought back because they were giving the show a final hurrah before axing it, they had nothing to lose.

Even back then the feed was losing viewers and wasn't worth the money.

We're also discussing a very different audience now, 5 years on.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by ThriceShy

Yep, the main reason I want live feed back is not so I can sit watching it. It is so I can be reassured that what I see in the highlights is real.

A very valid reason.

Is it the one golden answer to the show's problems and will attract all the viewers they need? Not really.

[Jason.]

Marsh slaying

[Beetlejuice]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

A big complaint during BB10 = a huge proportion of viewers.
A big complaint now = a small percentage of a small number of viewers.

The casuals have already gone, live feed will not bring them back.

A lot of casuals still come back for the launch night. Especially if it is well publicized and on at the right time. It as too early a start this year. But what you have to do is find a way to keep them watching. If you get an interesting mix in there on launch night and then give them a way to actually begin to get to know the housemates they can connect to them like they did in the past and will be much more likely to continue watching.

An entire overhaul of the entire franchise is needed. And even then the show is 16 years old so may not even have an audience to attract anymore.

An entire overhaul is what the show has had. That's why it's losing what viewers it has left. Discarding everything it has tried to be on Channel 5 and returning to a tried and tested format that people were arguing for since it began on Channel 5 is its only hope at this point.

Yes, we found out hours later, does that matter to a lot of people? They found out when they find out, they still discuss it. Did everyone go "Oh, well it would've been better to hear about this at 8am than at 12pm that's killed the buzz of this breaking news"? No.

There was no buzz regardless of when people found out because no one gave a ****. The reason no gave a **** is because half of the people still didn't know which one was Aaron, which one was Kieran and which one was Joel. I knew more about Dean and Bubble watching them up all night keeping a camp fire going than I still know about any of these people after 6 weeks. That is making the show impossible even for the biggest fans of it.

The issue over the crap website is a separate complaint. The opposite of that isn't necessarily live feed, it's a better website.

The solution is a better website built around the live coverage like Big Brother Canada has.

[Marsh.]

So people would've been buzzing over Aaron's ejection had we had 24/7 live feed?

Um, I don't think so.

Big Brother doesn't "buzz" anymore.

[Beetlejuice]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Were they by the end?

C4 axed the feed in 2009.

They axed the show in 2009. That was the idea. Reduce the live coverage and axe the show.

It was only brought back because they were giving the show a final hurrah before axing it, they had nothing to lose.

It was brought back because the producer Phil Edgar Jones felt it was a necessary part of the programme. Just as the executive producer of BIg Brother Canada believes it to be today.

Even back then the feed was losing viewers and wasn't worth the money.

We're also discussing a very different audience now, 5 years on.

I doubt we are. And again, if anything, the age of 24/7 social media, makes the live feed a perfect fit. The show is slow. So slow now it has become even more difficult to keep up with it.

[Marsh.]

Big Brother Canada has an advantage of being 2 years old.

It's kind of like wondering why the same pair of beautiful high heels work on a young model but not on a rusty pensioner. One is in its prime, the other has had its day.

Unfortunately, BBUk has had its day.

[Beetlejuice]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

So people would've been buzzing over Aaron's ejection had we had 24/7 live feed?

There would have been a lot more buzz around it if they cared about any of the housemates which they can no longer do because they cannot get to know them. The buzz is generated on fan sites, forums and twitter... Even the biggest fans couldn't give a **** about Aaron.

Big Brother doesn't "buzz" anymore.

It buzzes on launch night, unfortunately, they then make it impossible to get to know any of the housemates thereafter.

[MB.]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

So people would've been buzzing over Aaron's ejection

Ooh matron.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Beetlejuice

They axed the show in 2009. That was the idea. Reduce the live coverage and axe the show.

It was brought back because the producer Phil Edgar Jones felt it was a necessary part of the programme. Just as the executive producer of BIg Brother Canada believes it to be today.

It was brought back because the fans begged and, with it being the final year of the show, they had nothing to lose and threw in promotion to try and get more viewers with the free passes and charged everyone else.

Was Phil Edgar Jones in charge of live feed coming back or was that down to the people actually funding and airing the show?

I don't think anyone would argue about live feed being a valuable part of the format. Will they throw it out despite no one watching it and therefore it not being worth the cost? No.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Beetlejuice

There would have been a lot more buzz around it if they cared about any of the housemates which they can no longer do because they cannot get to know them. The buzz is generated on fan sites, forums and twitter... Even the biggest fans couldn't give a **** about Aaron.



It buzzes on launch night, unfortunately, they then make it impossible to get to know any of the housemates thereafter.

You keep bringing up people being more engaged if they "get to know" them through the feed.

I'm saying there is no audience for the feed to begin with.

Maybe that's where we're having difficulty.