• The Longest Running Sci-Fi Show in the Universe...

    From Blueshirt@3:633/280.2 to All on Thu Oct 26 08:21:13 2023
    Doctor Who returns!

    The Star Beast - 25th November 2023

    Wild Blue Yonder - 2nd December 2023

    The Giggle - 9th December 2023



    https://twitter.com/disneyplus/status/1717247151565427101?s=46&t=Sy8hlCNbd2sxU-jb6Ljjgw

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    * Origin: XS News (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From BungleBob@3:633/280.2 to All on Thu Oct 26 09:14:59 2023
    On 2023-10-25 21:21:13 +0000, Blueshirt said:

    Doctor Who returns!

    The Star Beast - 25th November 2023

    Wild Blue Yonder - 2nd December 2023

    The Giggle - 9th December 2023



    https://twitter.com/disneyplus/status/1717247151565427101?s=46&t=Sy8hlCNbd2sxU-jb6Ljjgw


    Being only available on Disney+ outside the UK means the potential
    audience has fallen dramatically, so the almighty ratings will plummet compared to the last few years.

    Here in New Zealand the Doctor Who holiday season specials used to be
    on free-to-air TV channels quickly after the UK airing.


    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Blueshirt@3:633/280.2 to All on Thu Oct 26 09:48:04 2023
    BungleBob wrote:

    On 2023-10-25 21:21:13 +0000, Blueshirt said:

    Doctor Who returns!

    The Star Beast - 25th November 2023

    Wild Blue Yonder - 2nd December 2023

    The Giggle - 9th December 2023

    Being only available on Disney+ outside the UK means the potential
    audience has fallen dramatically, so the almighty ratings will plummet compared to the last few years.

    Actually, the 'potential' audience has increased (theoretically) as
    Disney+ is available in more countries than the BBC ever sold Doctor Who
    to. As people can subscribe to Disney+ in something like 150+ countries.
    It's whether people want to pay to watch Doctor Who or not that is the
    issue. In the case of fans who were previously watching it on free TV
    channels I suspect that the answer might be not. Although in any country
    there will be an inbuilt audience of people who already have
    subscriptions to Disney+ for other things...

    Here in New Zealand the Doctor Who holiday season specials used to be
    on free-to-air TV channels quickly after the UK airing.

    I'd say it's more a case of what makes more money for the
    BBC in the long run... the $$ from the Disney Corporation or the revenue
    from overseas free-to-air channels?

    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: XS News (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From BungleBob@3:633/280.2 to All on Thu Oct 26 12:15:37 2023
    On 2023-10-25 22:48:04 +0000, Blueshirt said:

    BungleBob wrote:

    On 2023-10-25 21:21:13 +0000, Blueshirt said:

    Doctor Who returns!

    The Star Beast - 25th November 2023

    Wild Blue Yonder - 2nd December 2023

    The Giggle - 9th December 2023

    Being only available on Disney+ outside the UK means the potential
    audience has fallen dramatically, so the almighty ratings will plummet
    compared to the last few years.

    Actually, the 'potential' audience has increased (theoretically) as
    Disney+ is available in more countries than the BBC ever sold Doctor Who
    to. As people can subscribe to Disney+ in something like 150+ countries.
    It's whether people want to pay to watch Doctor Who or not that is the
    issue. In the case of fans who were previously watching it on free TV channels I suspect that the answer might be not. Although in any country there will be an inbuilt audience of people who already have
    subscriptions to Disney+ for other things...

    But in the countries who didn't get Doctor Who before people there are
    far less likely to have seen it before / know what it is about, so it
    won't generate enough audience in those countries to replace those lost
    in the countries that could previously watch it for free.



    Here in New Zealand the Doctor Who holiday season specials used to be
    on free-to-air TV channels quickly after the UK airing.

    I'd say it's more a case of what makes more money for the
    BBC in the long run... the $$ from the Disney Corporation or the revenue
    from overseas free-to-air channels?

    It only makes money for the BBC because they get a huge lump sum paid
    up-front by Disney, rather than a trickle each year from selling it to
    regular TV networks. In the long run the show will lose out, especially
    if Disney isn't impressed with the almighty ratings and decides to drop
    out again. By then all those people who didn't pay for Disney+ will be
    less likely to bother tuning in again on free-to-air TV because they've
    missed a season(s).



    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Blueshirt@3:633/280.2 to All on Thu Oct 26 12:40:10 2023
    BungleBob wrote:

    On 2023-10-25 22:48:04 +0000, Blueshirt said:

    I'd say it's more a case of what makes more money for the
    BBC in the long run... the $$ from the Disney Corporation or the
    revenue from overseas free-to-air channels?

    It only makes money for the BBC because they get a huge lump sum paid up-front by Disney, rather than a trickle each year from selling it to regular TV networks. In the long run the show will lose out, especially
    if Disney isn't impressed with the almighty ratings and decides to drop
    out again. By then all those people who didn't pay for Disney+ will be
    less likely to bother tuning in again on free-to-air TV because they've missed a season(s).

    To be honest, I don't know how it's going to go... this is new territory
    for Doctor Who. But I assume the BBC, Bad Wolf Studios and the Disney Corporation must see something promising in the deal. So the numbers must
    add up somewhere.

    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: XS News (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Blueshirt@3:633/280.2 to All on Thu Oct 26 13:19:23 2023
    The Doctor wrote:

    In article <xn0o8iqc41l5yqt000@reader.xsnews.nl>,
    Blueshirt <blueshirt@indigo.news> wrote:
    BungleBob wrote:

    Being only available on Disney+ outside the UK means the potential
    audience has fallen dramatically, so the almighty ratings will
    plummet compared to the last few years.

    Here in New Zealand the Doctor Who holiday season specials used to be
    on free-to-air TV channels quickly after the UK airing.

    I'd say it's more a case of what makes more money for the
    BBC in the long run... the $$ from the Disney Corporation or the
    revenue from overseas free-to-air channels?

    YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    No need to get excited... it was hardly an earth shattering observation!


    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: XS News (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From BungleBob@3:633/280.2 to All on Thu Oct 26 15:19:49 2023
    On 2023-10-26 01:40:10 +0000, Blueshirt said:
    BungleBob wrote:
    On 2023-10-25 22:48:04 +0000, Blueshirt said:

    I'd say it's more a case of what makes more money for the
    BBC in the long run... the $$ from the Disney Corporation or the
    revenue from overseas free-to-air channels?

    It only makes money for the BBC because they get a huge lump sum paid
    up-front by Disney, rather than a trickle each year from selling it to
    regular TV networks. In the long run the show will lose out, especially
    if Disney isn't impressed with the almighty ratings and decides to drop
    out again. By then all those people who didn't pay for Disney+ will be
    less likely to bother tuning in again on free-to-air TV because they've
    missed a season(s).

    To be honest, I don't know how it's going to go... this is new territory
    for Doctor Who. But I assume the BBC, Bad Wolf Studios and the Disney Corporation must see something promising in the deal. So the numbers must
    add up somewhere.

    Management and accountants always see "something promising", but it
    often turns out to be a disaster because they never think it through
    properly in their blinkered rush to add to their own bank accounts
    (even if it goes wrong they often still get a 'bonus' or if utterly
    wrong they'll get a 'golden handshake' instead!!). :-(


    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From BungleBob@3:633/280.2 to All on Thu Oct 26 15:35:10 2023
    On 2023-10-26 01:40:10 +0000, Blueshirt said:

    BungleBob wrote:

    On 2023-10-25 22:48:04 +0000, Blueshirt said:

    I'd say it's more a case of what makes more money for the
    BBC in the long run... the $$ from the Disney Corporation or the
    revenue from overseas free-to-air channels?

    It only makes money for the BBC because they get a huge lump sum paid
    up-front by Disney, rather than a trickle each year from selling it to
    regular TV networks. In the long run the show will lose out, especially
    if Disney isn't impressed with the almighty ratings and decides to drop
    out again. By then all those people who didn't pay for Disney+ will be
    less likely to bother tuning in again on free-to-air TV because they've
    missed a season(s).

    To be honest, I don't know how it's going to go... this is new territory
    for Doctor Who. But I assume the BBC, Bad Wolf Studios and the Disney Corporation must see something promising in the deal. So the numbers must
    add up somewhere.

    According to BroaDWcast.org, in 2003 Doctor Who was watched in 60
    countries (down from 66 in 1989) and 110 million viewers worldwide.
    It's probably fewer than that now. (The 50th Anniversary Special was available, either on TV and / or in cinemas, in 94 countries.) <https://broadwcast.org/index.php/110_Million_Viewers>

    Disney+, as of this year, is available in 60 countries and has 146.7
    million subscribers (and that number was falling) ... but of course not
    all of them will be interested in Doctor Who.

    Unless nearly 75% of Disney+ viewers watch it or there is a huge uptake
    of Doctor Who fans subscribing, there will definietly be a drop in
    viewership.






    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Blueshirt@3:633/280.2 to All on Fri Oct 27 05:38:37 2023
    BungleBob wrote:

    Disney+, as of this year, is available in 60 countries and has 146.7
    million subscribers (and that number was falling) ... but of course not
    all of them will be interested in Doctor Who.

    Not correct. Disney+ is available in over 150 countries worldwide...

    If Disney+ has 146 million subscribers, then for a service that had 0 subscribers three years ago then they ain't doing so bad. The subscriber numbers are falling, which is probably more because of the recent price
    rises, ad tier and losing the IPL rights in India, among other things.*


    * Too many streaming services!


    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: XS News (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Blueshirt@3:633/280.2 to All on Fri Oct 27 05:44:47 2023
    Blueshirt wrote:

    BungleBob wrote:

    Disney+, as of this year, is available in 60 countries and has 146.7 million subscribers (and that number was falling) ... but of course
    not all of them will be interested in Doctor Who.

    Not correct. Disney+ is available in over 150 countries worldwide...

    Sorry, forgot source...

    https://press.disneyplus.com/about

    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: XS News (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Dimensional Traveler@3:633/280.2 to All on Fri Oct 27 06:31:11 2023
    On 10/26/2023 11:44 AM, Blueshirt wrote:
    Blueshirt wrote:

    BungleBob wrote:

    Disney+, as of this year, is available in 60 countries and has 146.7
    million subscribers (and that number was falling) ... but of course
    not all of them will be interested in Doctor Who.

    Not correct. Disney+ is available in over 150 countries worldwide...

    Sorry, forgot source...

    https://press.disneyplus.com/about

    I view any House of Mouse promotional material ... skeptically.

    --
    I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
    dirty old man.


    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Blueshirt@3:633/280.2 to All on Fri Oct 27 06:41:01 2023
    Dimensional Traveler wrote:

    On 10/26/2023 11:44 AM, Blueshirt wrote:
    Blueshirt wrote:

    BungleBob wrote:

    Disney+, as of this year, is available in 60 countries and has
    146.7 million subscribers (and that number was falling) ... but
    of course not all of them will be interested in Doctor Who.

    Not correct. Disney+ is available in over 150 countries worldwide...

    Sorry, forgot source...

    https://press.disneyplus.com/about

    I view any House of Mouse promotional material ... skeptically.

    Well, cynics could view any organisation's promotional material
    sceptically... no company talks themselves down! :-)

    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: XS News (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From BungleBob@3:633/280.2 to All on Fri Oct 27 06:47:35 2023
    On 2023-10-26 18:38:37 +0000, Blueshirt said:
    BungleBob wrote:

    Disney+, as of this year, is available in 60 countries and has 146.7
    million subscribers (and that number was falling) ... but of course not
    all of them will be interested in Doctor Who.

    Not correct. Disney+ is available in over 150 countries worldwide...

    60 countries was from a Disney press release, but that was in 2022.

    This page only lists 107 countries for 2023. <https://www.crazystreamers.com/nz/disney-plus/guides/available-countries/>

    Via VPN, Disney+ is of course available in every country on the planet.

    But the number of countries isn't really relevant - it's the number of subscribers, and that is where the figures simply do not make sense for
    any franchise to heavily invest in streaming only services.



    If Disney+ has 146 million subscribers, then for a service that had 0 subscribers three years ago then they ain't doing so bad. The subscriber numbers are falling, which is probably more because of the recent price rises, ad tier and losing the IPL rights in India, among other things.*


    * Too many streaming services!

    Too many services and ever-increasing prices are yet more reasons why
    fewer people will be bothering to subscribe.




    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Blueshirt@3:633/280.2 to All on Fri Oct 27 07:08:54 2023
    BungleBob wrote:

    But the number of countries isn't really relevant - it's the number of subscribers, and that is where the figures simply do not make sense for
    any franchise to heavily invest in streaming only services.

    Well, clearly it's all about subscribers as that's all any of them
    want... If they kept their monthly prices lower they might even get it. I
    don't need Disney+ for Doctor Who as I have BBC1 here, but there's
    Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Now TV (etc.), all out there competing for my money, on top of my Sky subscription for 'normal' TV, so something has to give as nobody can subscribe to them all. You end up subscribing to one service for a month, binge the shows you want to
    watch, then cancelling... rinse and repeat with the other services as
    needed. So none of the streaming services are getting any true loyalty.
    You are only ever a part-time customer!

    Too many streaming services!

    Too many services and ever-increasing prices are yet more reasons why
    fewer people will be bothering to subscribe.

    There are way too many competing streaming services. The future will
    surely see them whittled down by mergers and takeovers... it's not
    sustainable at the prices these services are offering.

    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: XS News (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Dimensional Traveler@3:633/280.2 to All on Fri Oct 27 08:31:13 2023
    On 10/26/2023 12:41 PM, Blueshirt wrote:
    Dimensional Traveler wrote:

    On 10/26/2023 11:44 AM, Blueshirt wrote:
    Blueshirt wrote:

    BungleBob wrote:

    Disney+, as of this year, is available in 60 countries and has
    146.7 million subscribers (and that number was falling) ... but
    of course not all of them will be interested in Doctor Who.

    Not correct. Disney+ is available in over 150 countries worldwide...

    Sorry, forgot source...

    https://press.disneyplus.com/about

    I view any House of Mouse promotional material ... skeptically.

    Well, cynics could view any organisation's promotional material sceptically... no company talks themselves down! :-)

    More skeptically than most companies.

    --
    I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
    dirty old man.


    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From BungleBob@3:633/280.2 to All on Fri Oct 27 16:42:28 2023
    On 2023-10-26 20:08:54 +0000, Blueshirt said:

    BungleBob wrote:

    But the number of countries isn't really relevant - it's the number of
    subscribers, and that is where the figures simply do not make sense for
    any franchise to heavily invest in streaming only services.

    Well, clearly it's all about subscribers as that's all any of them
    want... If they kept their monthly prices lower they might even get it. I don't need Disney+ for Doctor Who as I have BBC1 here, but there's
    Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Now TV (etc.), all out there competing for my money, on top of my Sky subscription for 'normal' TV, so something has to give as nobody can subscribe to them all. You end up subscribing to one service for a month, binge the shows you want to
    watch, then cancelling... rinse and repeat with the other services as
    needed. So none of the streaming services are getting any true loyalty.
    You are only ever a part-time customer!

    We don't really use any streaming service. The exception is the
    streaming / catch-up service of the free-to-air channels, but only
    because they are free and only on the rare occasion we miss recording
    an episode / end of an episode.

    We do have Sky TV. Sky does own one of the free-to-air channels here in
    New Zealand, so some of their shows do arrive on free-to-air eventually.





    Too many streaming services!

    Too many services and ever-increasing prices are yet more reasons why
    fewer people will be bothering to subscribe.

    There are way too many competing streaming services. The future will
    surely see them whittled down by mergers and takeovers... it's not sustainable at the prices these services are offering.

    They also need to start selling the shows to "normal" TV services, even
    if it is after six months (for example) being exclusive on the
    streaming service. The vast majority of people do not bother with any streaming services.

    Disney also needs to release DVDs / Blu-ray sets for shows like the
    various Star Wars ones for people who want to keep them.



    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Blueshirt@3:633/280.2 to All on Sat Oct 28 01:13:57 2023
    BungleBob wrote:

    Disney also needs to release DVDs / Blu-ray sets for shows like the
    various Star Wars ones for people who want to keep them.

    They are releasing "The Mandalorian" S1 and S2 on 4K Blu-Ray, as well as
    "Loki" S1 and "WandaVision" later this year...

    The two The Mandalorian sets will definitely be worth it, as that is a
    great show. (Maybe S3 doesn't quite match the quality of the first series
    but that's a separate discussion!!!)

    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: XS News (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From BungleBob@3:633/280.2 to All on Sat Oct 28 09:21:04 2023
    On 2023-10-27 14:13:57 +0000, Blueshirt said:
    BungleBob wrote:

    Disney also needs to release DVDs / Blu-ray sets for shows like the
    various Star Wars ones for people who want to keep them.

    They are releasing "The Mandalorian" S1 and S2 on 4K Blu-Ray, as well as "Loki" S1 and "WandaVision" later this year...

    The two The Mandalorian sets will definitely be worth it, as that is a
    great show. (Maybe S3 doesn't quite match the quality of the first series
    but that's a separate discussion!!!)

    Unfortunately US only (that I can find so far), but what about those of
    us on the other 90% of the planet. :-(


    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Blueshirt@3:633/280.2 to All on Sat Oct 28 22:35:09 2023
    BungleBob wrote:

    On 2023-10-27 14:13:57 +0000, Blueshirt said:
    BungleBob wrote:

    Disney also needs to release DVDs / Blu-ray sets for shows like the various Star Wars ones for people who want to keep them.

    They are releasing "The Mandalorian" S1 and S2 on 4K Blu-Ray, as well
    as "Loki" S1 and "WandaVision" later this year...

    The two The Mandalorian sets will definitely be worth it, as that is a great show. (Maybe S3 doesn't quite match the quality of the first
    series but that's a separate discussion!!!)

    Unfortunately US only (that I can find so far), but what about those of
    us on the other 90% of the planet. :-(

    Amazon UK definitely have the two "The Mandalorian" 4K UHD steelbooks up
    for pre-order ... as I was contemplating pre-ordering them.

    I can't speak for the rest of the world though.

    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: XS News (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From BungleBob@3:633/280.2 to All on Sun Oct 29 08:28:58 2023
    On 2023-10-28 11:35:09 +0000, Blueshirt said:
    BungleBob wrote:

    On 2023-10-27 14:13:57 +0000, Blueshirt said:
    BungleBob wrote:

    Disney also needs to release DVDs / Blu-ray sets for shows like the
    various Star Wars ones for people who want to keep them.

    They are releasing "The Mandalorian" S1 and S2 on 4K Blu-Ray, as well
    as "Loki" S1 and "WandaVision" later this year...

    The two The Mandalorian sets will definitely be worth it, as that is a
    great show. (Maybe S3 doesn't quite match the quality of the first
    series but that's a separate discussion!!!)

    Unfortunately US only (that I can find so far), but what about those of
    us on the other 90% of the planet. :-(

    Amazon UK definitely have the two "The Mandalorian" 4K UHD steelbooks up
    for pre-order ... as I was contemplating pre-ordering them.

    I can't speak for the rest of the world though.

    I wouldn't put too such stock in what Amazon lists - they often list
    stuff that never happens or even pirated rubbish, like this DVD version: <https://www.amazon.co.uk/VORPE-DVD-Mandalorian-Season-Disc/dp/B0B4NMZC37/>

    Amazon ceased being a reliable source of products and information long
    ago when they changed it from being an online store to being a
    open-to-all marketplace where any idiot can sell stuff. :-(



    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)
  • From Dimensional Traveler@3:633/280.2 to All on Sun Oct 29 09:12:31 2023
    On 10/28/2023 2:28 PM, BungleBob wrote:
    On 2023-10-28 11:35:09 +0000, Blueshirt said:
    BungleBob wrote:

    On 2023-10-27 14:13:57 +0000, Blueshirt said:
    BungleBob wrote:

    Disney also needs to release DVDs / Blu-ray sets for shows like the
    various Star Wars ones for people who want to keep them.

    They are releasing "The Mandalorian" S1 and S2 on 4K Blu-Ray, as well
    as "Loki" S1 and "WandaVision" later this year...

    The two The Mandalorian sets will definitely be worth it, as that is a >>>> great show. (Maybe S3 doesn't quite match the quality of the first
    series but that's a separate discussion!!!)

    Unfortunately US only (that I can find so far), but what about those of
    us on the other 90% of the planet.ÿ :-(

    Amazon UK definitely have the two "The Mandalorian" 4K UHD steelbooks up
    for pre-order ... as I was contemplating pre-ordering them.

    I can't speak for the rest of the world though.

    I wouldn't put too such stock in what Amazon lists - they often list
    stuff that never happens or even pirated rubbish, like this DVD version: <https://www.amazon.co.uk/VORPE-DVD-Mandalorian-Season-Disc/dp/B0B4NMZC37/>

    Amazon ceased being a reliable source of products and information long
    ago when they changed it from being an online store to being a
    open-to-all marketplace where any idiot can sell stuff.ÿ :-(

    That used to be EBay's niche. 'Till they decided to become more like Amazon....

    --
    I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
    dirty old man.


    --- MBSE BBS v1.0.8.4 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: A noiseless patient Spider (3:633/280.2@fidonet)