upyourego
Well-Known Member
OK so I've avoided commenting on this thread so far - mainly because I wanted to see how it developed but also because I was trying to get my head around what I thought.
My initial reaction was 'spot on, great post, feel the same' in fact I +repped mineworksfine with a comment along those very lines.
However, a little bit later and a few things strike me.
Not everybody that watches the show from outside the UK is watching it through 'alternative' means - although I'd wager the majority of people on this forum HAVE watched it through alternative means.
Otherwise they wouldn't be able to comment on the show a few hours after it has aired in the UK (given that most places showing Top Gear are at least one series behind).
But that isn't the end of the world - I personally believe that the sign of a strong online fan base (even one that downloads the show for sod all) can help lead to networks purchasing the show in more parts of the world (and in fact that has proved to be true).
And if you then also watch the butchered version of the show on that network (or at least subscribe to the network) then you are contributing to the BBC.
If you then also buy the magazine, DVDs, books, t-shirts, cakes and every other bit of top gear milking thats taken place - you're contributing to the BBC.
I think that qualifies you to have a say - however - when you have that say you need to keep something in mind.
Because of the unique way the BBC is funded
the Top Gear TV production (with the exclusion of Wilman and Clarkson who get it in their own pocket not the show budget) doesn't see ANY of the commercial money.
It goes into BBC Worldwide who return a sum of money every year to its only shareholder (The BBC). It is actually possible that this might change in the future - there is talk of giving Channel 4 (commercial not for profit network owned by the British tax-payer) all revenue from BBC Worldwide to help it continue to produce public service content.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a say.
What you need to keep in mind really is the fact that the BBC (and by BBC I mean TG production crew) need to produce a show for the British Domestic Market and CANNOT think about or alter that show to make it easier to sell overseas or relate more to an international audience.
They CAN produce extra bits of content and segments for an international audience but BBC Worldwide would have to lease the studio and production time from the BBC for that (I imagine).
They have to create something that is what the British audience wants, what meets the licence-fee payers taste (and top gear attracts a shocking wide range of viewers).
Just my thoughts.
Comment away - if I don't like what you've got to say or disagree (I prefer the entertainment stuff to the car reviews) I can read it, disagree and then comment that I disagree - you can then reply and we have a conversation going - and hopefully a lively debate.
But if you've got less than 5 posts and all of those 5 were today on more or less than same shitty subject AND you don't reply to the threads you created yourself - I reserve the right to call you a... Anyway - time for bed.
My initial reaction was 'spot on, great post, feel the same' in fact I +repped mineworksfine with a comment along those very lines.
However, a little bit later and a few things strike me.
Not everybody that watches the show from outside the UK is watching it through 'alternative' means - although I'd wager the majority of people on this forum HAVE watched it through alternative means.
Otherwise they wouldn't be able to comment on the show a few hours after it has aired in the UK (given that most places showing Top Gear are at least one series behind).
But that isn't the end of the world - I personally believe that the sign of a strong online fan base (even one that downloads the show for sod all) can help lead to networks purchasing the show in more parts of the world (and in fact that has proved to be true).
And if you then also watch the butchered version of the show on that network (or at least subscribe to the network) then you are contributing to the BBC.
If you then also buy the magazine, DVDs, books, t-shirts, cakes and every other bit of top gear milking thats taken place - you're contributing to the BBC.
I think that qualifies you to have a say - however - when you have that say you need to keep something in mind.
Because of the unique way the BBC is funded
the Top Gear TV production (with the exclusion of Wilman and Clarkson who get it in their own pocket not the show budget) doesn't see ANY of the commercial money.It goes into BBC Worldwide who return a sum of money every year to its only shareholder (The BBC). It is actually possible that this might change in the future - there is talk of giving Channel 4 (commercial not for profit network owned by the British tax-payer) all revenue from BBC Worldwide to help it continue to produce public service content.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a say.
What you need to keep in mind really is the fact that the BBC (and by BBC I mean TG production crew) need to produce a show for the British Domestic Market and CANNOT think about or alter that show to make it easier to sell overseas or relate more to an international audience.
They CAN produce extra bits of content and segments for an international audience but BBC Worldwide would have to lease the studio and production time from the BBC for that (I imagine).
They have to create something that is what the British audience wants, what meets the licence-fee payers taste (and top gear attracts a shocking wide range of viewers).
Just my thoughts.
Comment away - if I don't like what you've got to say or disagree (I prefer the entertainment stuff to the car reviews) I can read it, disagree and then comment that I disagree - you can then reply and we have a conversation going - and hopefully a lively debate.
But if you've got less than 5 posts and all of those 5 were today on more or less than same shitty subject AND you don't reply to the threads you created yourself - I reserve the right to call you a... Anyway - time for bed.
