Spike TV

[VaBeachGuy 12]

I hate the way Spike TV is constantly putting logos in the lower corners of the screen. Because of this one simple thing I will not watch their channel. It only distracts from the show. If need be I will download anything I can't get on other channels.

 

Anyone else annoyed by this?

[Theunicornhunter 2]

I hate the way Spike TV is constantly putting logos in the lower corners of the screen. Because of this one simple thing I will not watch their channel. It only distracts from the show. If need be I will download anything I can't get on other channels.

 

Anyone else annoyed by this?

Most cable networks do that.

[VaBeachGuy 12]

Most cable networks do that.

I'll watch once in a while but I'll continue with my downloads while I can, then one day we'll have a fully downloadable schedule that we can customize ourselves.

[Indy 8]

Yes, it annoys me. We were watching TNG just a couple of days ago and they kept having this helicopter fly through the picture. And it's not just the lower corner of the screen, the thing enters about mid-screen. It's very annoying, especially when a scene is showing starships and a helicopter flies through it. GGGRRRR.

[VaBeachGuy 12]

Yes, it annoys me.  We were watching TNG just a couple of days ago and they kept having this helicopter fly through the picture.  And it's not just the lower corner of the screen, the thing enters about mid-screen.  It's very annoying, especially when a scene is showing starships and a helicopter flies through it.  GGGRRRR.

Exactly, now that you mention it I have seen that too. It is so annoying. If "Men's TV" is so annoying I'll just turn on Lifetime

 

Well, maybe not... lol

[Theunicornhunter 2]

USA network kept having the guy on the horse ride by announcing the preview of the Peacemaker - it worked - I watched it. Some of those downloads have some station identifiers on them too.

[JTKirk1 0]

I have noticed these same things and it is annoying especially if I am watching TNG or WWE Raw. Those are the only two shows that I watch on the new network for men. What really gets me is they haven't really made to many changes to the lineup. They show the same lineup except for the new animated stuff that they had when they were TNN. Oh well I guss when thier ratings for thier shows go down they will know the error of thier ways. Until then I will only watch my two favorite shows on that channel and that is it.

 

Boy when I get on a role I really ramble on and on and on.....see I'm doing it again.

[cptwright 1]

well as far as same lineup, thats probably because they were supposed to change to SPIKE, a while ago, but thanks to spike lee's lawsuit that was postponed. to think someone thinks so highly of themselves that they think someone using the name spike is going to affect them negatively. what a crockl. i for one am glad to see that they were able to change the name to spike. as far as annoying bannors, yeah they are, but ive seen them other places as well. so i guess its not that easy to get away from.

[A l t e r E g o 9]

It's true, other stations have annoying logo's in one corner or another but imo, spike's is the worst. I used to think tnn had an annoying logo when they had the distracting white bar along the bottom but this fool showing up and tagging my screen with spray paint every 60 seconds take's the cake. I can't stand it.

[JTKirk1 0]

I know what you mean that is why I have decided to only watch the two shows that I really like and then not watch Spike TV at all. I hope that they will realize how annoying it really is and will discontinue the use of these really annoying ad's.

[emojams 0]

Im not thrilled with the helicoptor either<or the spray paint> but its the only channel i get that shows TNG ..so im not gripin to hard..

[Captain Holland 0]

I was watching TNG and, you know how they put an ad in during the end credits, well they had just the Spike TV logo on the screen like the credits during the show, and I could hardly make out what was on TNG. But I have to watch the channel until I get all the seasons on DVD.

[cptwright 1]

well im watching gary the rat right now on spike, and havent seen anything other than the usual spike, in the corner now, i think the helicopter and such was just a flashy way of saying spike was on the way.

[JTKirk1 0]

well im watching gary the rat right now on spike, and havent seen anything other than the usual spike, in the corner now, i think the helicopter and such was just a flashy way of saying spike was on the way.

I hope so I really hope so.

[Captain Bolivar 0]

Sure Spike TV has that silly icon in the corner, but the "new TNN" as it used to be always had an entire bar across the bottom of the screen cutting out part of the picture. And the purpose of it was to tell you what you are watching. I think most people know what it is they are watching, and if they don't, that's what TV guide is for.

[VaBeachGuy 12]

I don't mind a little logo in the corner, usually they are barely visible and easy to ignore. In fact if you watch the latest tribute video I made there are a few in the clips I used. But they aren't distracting from the show you are watching.

[xenexian 2]

The fact that this thread exists and that everyone posting here is talking about it shows that it's working. I've been involved with broadcast media now for over 25 years in one form or another and I can honestly tell you that in this highly competitive world of mulitple tv channels and networks, anything that gets the name of a particular network out there in the form of on screen promotion for a show or whatever, is good for the advertisers and the network itself. Viewers may not like it but there is nothing you can do about it. Haven't you noticed that all networks now don't even bother broadcasting the end credits and music of a show they way they used to anymore? It's now regulated to a side bar with the audio muted while the network uses that time to promote an upcoming show or event on the other half. You can't even catch the names of the actors or production people anymore because they flash them so fast and, because of the limited screen space, is almost impossible to read. Promotion and name recognition is the name of the game now and, as I said, there is nothing you can do about it. In fact, don't be surprised if you begin to notice the mainstream networks pick up on this idea. Rupert Murdock, and his lowest common demoninator network, FOX, started this and I don't see any significant changes on the horizon. The advertisers want this, the network execs want this and the producers have to comply. Yes, you have the right not to watch but you're not going to hurt the network by doing so, you only deprive yourself.

[VaBeachGuy 12]

The fact that this thread exists and that everyone posting here is talking about it shows that it's working.

 

Viewers may not like it but there is nothing you can do about it.

I disagree that it's working, the fact of this thread is that the people expressing their thoughts here are saying "I don't like Spike TV and won't watch". If their (Spike) goal is to attract viewers and keep them on their network then this seems to not be working (At least in this small corner of the galaxy).

 

As for there being noting we can do about it, I am already doing something about it as we speak. I'm not watching Spike TV, I won't watch Spike TV and it's not just because I think the name of the network is incredibly stupid either. I used to watch The Nashville Network, I even watched The National Network from time to time but I won't watch Spike TV.

[Admiral Kirk 1]

Besides TNG and Highlander I don't watch Spike TV. They put childish awful programming on and then called it the First Network for Men. That is slightly insulting.

[xenexian 2]

The fact that this thread exists and that everyone posting here is talking about it shows that it's working.

 

Viewers may not like it but there is nothing you can do about it.

I disagree that it's working, the fact of this thread is that the people expressing their thoughts here are saying "I don't like Spike TV and won't watch". If their (Spike) goal is to attract viewers and keep them on their network then this seems to not be working (At least in this small corner of the galaxy).

 

As for there being noting we can do about it, I am already doing something about it as we speak. I'm not watching Spike TV, I won't watch Spike TV and it's not just because I think the name of the network is incredibly stupid either. I used to watch The Nashville Network, I even watched The National Network from time to time but I won't watch Spike TV.

I'm sorry Vabeachguy, if you disagree but the ratings for Spike TV have already jumped over 7 points in the last month alone. You can check the cable and satellite trade mags to confirm this. The distracting promos and bars that they put on the screen are there for just that, promotion, and if you see them, all that means is that you're, or in this case the viewer, is already watching the network. Those promos aren't designed to bring in new viewers they are designed to keep you watching by letting you know what else they have to offer. The demographic they want are males 18 to 34 and that's exactly what they are getting. Everyone here can express all the thoughts they want about how they don't necessarilly like them but they are here to stay and as I said before, don't be surprised to see the major networks pick up on the idea. In fact, I believe that NBC is already experimenting with them as is FOX. On the network level when one sees what works on another, they'll all start doing it. If those networks and others jump on the bandwagon are you going to stop watching tv altogether? If you decide that you don't want to watch that's fine, and if you don't watch, why are you complaining? What is one person to the network when they have over 250 million in which to draw viewers from and many of those viewers couldn't give a rats *buttocks* how they do their promotion as long as they get to see what they want to see. I don't think that Womans Entertainment (WE) isn't too worried over my not watching their shows so I don't think that Spike TV is too worried about you not watching them. I personally agree with everyone here who finds them distracting but I've been in the business long enough to know that if the execs think it's a good idea, they are going to stick with it and there's nothing we can do. Are we really going to tell them how to run their business? It's the advertisers who like it as well since they buy the time on the shows that are promoted and if it draws in the viewers they want, they are going to stick with it. This is a reality of programming that the average viewer can't do anything about except complain and grumble, like we all do about the weather. And where has that ever gotten anyone? I don't mean to sound antagonistic here but I've been involved in the broadcast business too long not to see a trend and when the execs make up their mind about how to do promotion, that is exactly what they are going to do whether we like it or not.

[VaBeachGuy 12]

The fact that this thread exists and that everyone posting here is talking about it shows that it's working.

 

Viewers may not like it but there is nothing you can do about it.

I disagree that it's working, the fact of this thread is that the people expressing their thoughts here are saying "I don't like Spike TV and won't watch". If their (Spike) goal is to attract viewers and keep them on their network then this seems to not be working (At least in this small corner of the galaxy).

 

As for there being noting we can do about it, I am already doing something about it as we speak. I'm not watching Spike TV, I won't watch Spike TV and it's not just because I think the name of the network is incredibly stupid either. I used to watch The Nashville Network, I even watched The National Network from time to time but I won't watch Spike TV.

I'm sorry Vabeachguy, if you disagree but the ratings for Spike TV have already jumped over 7 points in the last month alone. You can check the cable and satellite trade mags to confirm this. The distracting promos and bars that they put on the screen are there for just that, promotion, and if you see them, all that means is that you're, or in this case the viewer, is already watching the network. Those promos aren't designed to bring in new viewers they are designed to keep you watching by letting you know what else they have to offer. The demographic they want are males 18 to 34 and that's exactly what they are getting. Everyone here can express all the thoughts they want about how they don't necessarilly like them but they are here to stay and as I said before, don't be surprised to see the major networks pick up on the idea. In fact, I believe that NBC is already experimenting with them as is FOX. On the network level when one sees what works on another, they'll all start doing it. If those networks and others jump on the bandwagon are you going to stop watching tv altogether? If you decide that you don't want to watch that's fine, and if you don't watch, why are you complaining? What is one person to the network when they have over 250 million in which to draw viewers from and many of those viewers couldn't give a rats *buttocks* how they do their promotion as long as they get to see what they want to see. I don't think that Womans Entertainment (WE) isn't too worried over my not watching their shows so I don't think that Spike TV is too worried about you not watching them. I personally agree with everyone here who finds them distracting but I've been in the business long enough to know that if the execs think it's a good idea, they are going to stick with it and there's nothing we can do. Are we really going to tell them how to run their business? It's the advertisers who like it as well since they buy the time on the shows that are promoted and if it draws in the viewers they want, they are going to stick with it. This is a reality of programming that the average viewer can't do anything about except complain and grumble, like we all do about the weather. And where has that ever gotten anyone? I don't mean to sound antagonistic here but I've been involved in the broadcast business too long not to see a trend and when the execs make up their mind about how to do promotion, that is exactly what they are going to do whether we like it or not.

This is the part I am disagreeing with:

 

 

The fact that this thread exists and that everyone posting here is talking about it shows that it's working.

 

Viewers may not like it but there is nothing you can do about it.

 

The fact that this thread exists doesn't mean that they are working, unless by "working" you mean "People see these things, get pissed off at them and turn on another channel". Then yes, they are working.

 

The second part of what I disagreed with is "There's Nothing we can do about it." Yes there is something we can do about it, don't watch. For those that really get upset about it then can e-mail or write letters and even make phone calls. Will any of that make a difference? Maybe not, but if enough people stop watching THAT will make a difference.

 

None of the rest of it matters (to me). The execs and their adverdising decisions, your experience in the broadcast industy, them using gimmicks to try to lure people to watch. The only thing that matters to me is "Spike TV" is not playing in my home and the reason is that I find these little popup and flyovers and banners annoying.

 

That's all, I find them annoying. So the meaning of this thread isn't that they "worked", the meaning of this thread is that they (the annoying little popups) did the opposite of what they wanted them to do (for me) and have turned me off on watching their channel.

[xenexian 2]

The fact that this thread exists doesn't mean that they are working, unless by "working" you mean "People see these things, get pissed off at them and turn on another channel". Then yes, they are working.

 

The second part of what I disagreed with is "There's Nothing we can do about it." Yes there is something we can do about it, don't watch. For those that really get upset about it then can e-mail or write letters and even make phone calls. Will any of that make a difference? Maybe not, but if enough people stop watching THAT will make a difference.

 

None of the rest of it matters (to me). The execs and their adverdising decisions, your experience in the broadcast industy, them using gimmicks to try to lure people to watch. The only thing that matters to me is "Spike TV" is not playing in my home and the reason is that I find these little popup and flyovers and banners annoying.

 

That's all, I find them annoying. So the meaning of this thread isn't that they "worked", the meaning of this thread is that they (the annoying little popups) did the opposite of what they wanted them to do (for me) and have turned me off on watching their channel.

There is an old saying that is so true in the broadcast industry. "There is no such thing as bad publicity". And what is really at work here is that you're talking about it. I'm not telling you to watch and you've already made the decision not to watch. But every person you complain to might not know what exactly it is that's so annoying to you so they will tune in to see what the fuss is all about. That's what the network wants. The Spike Lee fiasco was wonderful publicity for them and even while they were all filing their briefs, the execs were cheering in the background the whole time. Ratings are all that matters. Your decision not to watch is, of course, your decision. As you said as well, e-mails, letters and phone calls will alert them to your dissatisfaction but it probably won't cause any significant drop in viewership for them to make any wholesale changes and most likely bring in more viewers. I'm not trying to start any argument here please understand that, I'm just trying to point out a basic broadcast fact about how networks today position themselves in a highly competitive market. For every one viewer they lose, they have a very good chance of picking up three more. As I said, I find them slightly annoying too but then again I find that high humidity days annoying too. I can either go outside and enjoy my day or stay inside and sulk, it won't change the weather. There's also the possibility that in a couple of months, opnce they've re-established their schedule line up, the promotions will decrease but right now, they are going to use them. I realize that all of what you wrote is you opinion and you have that right to express it, I just wanted to let you know what your up against when I expressed mine. I never intended to inflame you.

[VaBeachGuy 12]

The fact that this thread exists doesn't mean that they are working, unless by "working" you mean "People see these things, get pissed off at them and turn on another channel". Then yes, they are working.

 

The second part of what I disagreed with is "There's Nothing we can do about it." Yes there is something we can do about it, don't watch. For those that really get upset about it then can e-mail or write letters and even make phone calls. Will any of that make a difference? Maybe not, but if enough people stop watching THAT will make a difference.

 

None of the rest of it matters (to me). The execs and their adverdising decisions, your experience in the broadcast industy, them using gimmicks to try to lure people to watch. The only thing that matters to me is "Spike TV" is not playing in my home and the reason is that I find these little popup and flyovers and banners annoying.

 

That's all, I find them annoying. So the meaning of this thread isn't that they "worked", the meaning of this thread is that they (the annoying little popups) did the opposite of what they wanted them to do (for me) and have turned me off on watching their channel.

There is an old saying that is so true in the broadcast industry. "There is no such thing as bad publicity". And what is really at work here is that you're talking about it. I'm not telling you to watch and you've already made the decision not to watch. But every person you complain to might not know what exactly it is that's so annoying to you so they will tune in to see what the fuss is all about. That's what the network wants. The Spike Lee fiasco was wonderful publicity for them and even while they were all filing their briefs, the execs were cheering in the background the whole time. Ratings are all that matters. Your decision not to watch is, of course, your decision. As you said as well, e-mails, letters and phone calls will alert them to your dissatisfaction but it probably won't cause any significant drop in viewership for them to make any wholesale changes and most likely bring in more viewers. I'm not trying to start any argument here please understand that, I'm just trying to point out a basic broadcast fact about how networks today position themselves in a highly competitive market. For every one viewer they lose, they have a very good chance of picking up three more. As I said, I find them slightly annoying too but then again I find that high humidity days annoying too. I can either go outside and enjoy my day or stay inside and sulk, it won't change the weather. There's also the possibility that in a couple of months, opnce they've re-established their schedule line up, the promotions will decrease but right now, they are going to use them. I realize that all of what you wrote is you opinion and you have that right to express it, I just wanted to let you know what your up against when I expressed mine. I never intended to inflame you.

LOL I'm not inflamed

 

If I came across that way I apologize.

 

Judging from the others that responded there are more then a few people put off by the little "bugs" or popups that they are using. I know that I can't stop these things, but I have a lot better chance of stopping them by voicing my displeasure with them then I do of changing the humidity outside. Don't underestimate the power that TV viewers have on networks. Just look at season 3 of TOS for an example, it wouldn't exist if viewers hadn't voiced their displeasure with the network execs and their support for TOS.

 

Anyone that wants to watch and wishes to ignore the popups is welcome to do so. Anyone that wishes to tune them out is just as welcome to do so.

 

As far as negative publicity helping a cause, sometimes that's true. Very true. Sometimes it's not though. Do you think MCI gained more long distance customers because of their woes with publicity? What about the AOL's Future thread on this board? Would that thread tend to make people want to try AOL so they can see if they too get ripped off?

 

I believe in the long run Spike TV is insignificant and will wind up becoming Spikeless TV eventually. Just one more of how many hundreds of choices people have for TV viewing?

 

Death to the Networks ~ Long Live Downloads!

[xenexian 2]

Don't underestimate the power that TV viewers have on networks. Just look at season 3 of TOS for an example, it wouldn't exist if viewers hadn't voiced their displeasure with the network execs and their support for TOS.

I'm glad to see that I didn't inflame you. I'm afraid that I still have too much of my college debate team in me yet. I have a tendancy to play devil's advocate because there are always two sides to every story. Unfortunately, I have to disagree (there's that word again) with you about the power of the tv viewer. It has become insignificant. There are too many choices available today for the viewer that we may think we have power but we really do not. What happened with TOS was 35 years ago. Ancient history to the broadcast industry. At that time there were only three networks, if you don't count PBS, and the networks did a lot more listening then. Roswell was saved only recently only because UPN and WB are fledging networks. Apparently still not enough watched to satisfy the advertisers to keep the show on the air. I guess I need to point out a broadcast axiom here and many may not like this but tv and radio are not here to entertain us in the way you think. They exist to sell us products and services we don't need or think we need. It has always been that way. The advertisers call the shots and they always will. A show is just the medium they use to sell us things. Does anyone remember the scandal about "Married With Children"? The horrors of it all. They dared to show us a beautiful woman dressed in stockings, garter belt and bra. The Detroit housewife who complained did the correct thing by not going to the network but to the advertiser, Proctor and Gambel, and got them to pull their advertising by threatening to stop buying their product. a very hollow threat mind you since most of what P&G sells are personal hygiene products and was she really going to stop showering? Funny thing is, the show stayed on the air and what the network lost in advertising from P&G, they more then made up when other advertisers were more than willing to pick up the slack. The ratings increased. The average viewer today is really quite impotent when it comes to telling a network what to show. A case in point are the many shows that are thoughtfully written and produced but have a limited viewership. The show may wow the critics but doesn't draw in enough viewers for the advertisers to warrant it to continue. I'm sure you could name a few off the top of your head that fit this criteria. This is not something many people want to believe but it is true. As long as there are products to sell, there will be television to help them sell it. Oh, and between the commercials, here's a little entertainment you can watch until the next commercial block. That's the way it works. and that's why I also said you can be sure that you'll be seeing the same type of pop-ups and promos on all networks soon so really you can either watch or not watch or, in your case, download.

[VaBeachGuy 12]

Don't underestimate the power that TV viewers have on networks. Just look at season 3 of TOS for an example, it wouldn't exist if viewers hadn't voiced their displeasure with the network execs and their support for TOS.

I'm glad to see that I didn't inflame you. I'm afraid that I still have too much of my college debate team in me yet. I have a tendancy to play devil's advocate because there are always two sides to every story. Unfortunately, I have to disagree (there's that word again) with you about the power of the tv viewer. It has become insignificant. There are too many choices available today for the viewer that we may think we have power but we really do not.

As anyone that knows me will tell you, I love to debate. Sometimes I will take an opposite position just for the sake of a good debate lol.

 

It may be true that the viewers matter less now then 35 years ago, in fact it's more then "may be true" but I don't think it's entirely true. Why else do they (TPTB) worry about ratings? If the viewers didn't matter then why even have a ratings system?

 

A show is just the medium they use to sell us things.

 

I agree that advertisers and the TV PTB hold this view, and without the advertising we would likely not have TV, if we did have it it would cost more then Cable does now.

 

However, with the Internet and downloads getting bigger and bigger they (TPTB) are going to HAVE to come up with better solutions. It's too easy for someone with a high speed connection to go spend a few minutes downloading a TV show that has had all the commercials edited out and doesn't have many if any of those annoying little popups in them.

 

Not all shows are available (yet) but go to KaZaa and type in Star Trek in the Video search and see what you get. Type in Friends or any other popular show and see what you get. Heck, I've been able to download The Greatest American Hero off of KaZaa and that show is 20 years old.

 

Anyway, don't worry about inflaming me. I'm pretty easy going and enjoy discussions that are intelligent and express valid points of view. I welcome it and I challenge (invite) you to try to change my mind on any topic we may discuss that we differ on.

[Captain Holland 0]

One thing that makes me mad about Spike TV is that they constantly play the same TNG episodes over, and over, and over again. I mean there are approximately 177 TNG episodes and I know they don't play them all, and if they are to cheap to get the rest of the episodes then they shouldn't be a TV station. :)

[cptwright 1]

yeah they all seem to be the old episodes too. i mean instead of the later ones. i know there all old now.

[JTKirk1 0]

I have noticed this myself now these are all really good episodes but they really need to show a little diversity in what they show when it comes to one of the greatet shows of all time.

[Captain Bolivar 0]

Yeah I used to watch Star Trek on TNN all of the time, but it just got tiring because one night you might see one episode and 2 weeks later it would be back on again. What a pain. Boo to TNN! But of course some ST is better than to ST.

[JTKirk1 0]

Yeah I used to watch Star Trek on TNN all of the time, but it just got tiring because one night you might see one episode and 2 weeks later it would be back on again.  What a pain.  Boo to TNN! But of course some ST is better than to ST.

I agree with you on that, I either watch the episodes that I have now seen over a thousand times or I wait up until 5 am to catch a episode of VOY.