There seems to be a trend in the TV/Entertainment business to shy away from or cancel "high sci-fi" shows. I use the term "high sci-fi" here to be similar to the term "high fantasy".
One for example could call "Lost" a "sci-fi" show but not a "high sci-fi" one. The later tend to have more conventional elements of "space travel by ship or gate/wormwhole, space ships, aleins, other planets, beam weapons" etc.
These types of shows seem to be unpopular in the eyes of the "main stream" networks and tend to be replaced by more "low sci-fi" shows like Lost or Heroes.
Now I personally watch all sci-fi shows as long as they are entertaining (and hopefully intelligent), but my favorite sub-genre (if there is asuch a thing) has always been the Stargate, Star Trek, Babylon 5, and Farscape type shows.
Sadly, as I mentioned, there seems to be a lack of such shows on TV with the ones airing always facing the prospect of cancellation.
This drove me literally after getting the news of SG-1 not getting renewed to cancel all my cable subscription and to sell my TV set
Eversince I have been relying on the internet for my entertainment (I have been relying on the internet for my news for far longer prior to selling my TV hehe).
When I like a show and I wish to support it I simply buy the DVD's and visit the fan sites and the official forums of such shows to be a part of that community.
Now for the longest time I have been wondering what would be solution to allow such great shows like Farscape and Stargate to continue without living under the shadow of cancellation by the bean-counters and the network executives. The solution may be the internet itself along with the direct-to-DVD releases.
Which brings me to "Sanctuary". I just finished buying and watching the HD version of the first episode they released and I must say this could be it!
My expereince with Sanctuary so far has been very positive with a few minor issues that hopefully the folks there can address. I am mostly impressed by the availability of the HD version to download which puts any iTunes video to shame. In addition, the file does not have any screwy digital rights media codes or restrictions so you buy the file and it is yours to burn or watch on any PC using any player. I hope this sets the standard for others to follow.
Additionally which is a VERY important point, anyone in the world can buy the show unlike iTunes where it is limited to U.S. customers. This opens up a LOT more revenue sources for the show to make money. If one million people in the world out of 6 billion buy the episodes for $2.00 each, that is 2 million dollars per episode which can produce a great broadcast quality sci-fi show with all the bells and whistles, and very minimal overhead cost!
I am very glad that Amanda Tapping is working on this project and that many of the Stargate cast and crew are participating either as guests or regulars.
I really wish this model would succees which could open the door to many creative teams to follow suit and make great sci-fi shows for exclusive online release and/or direct-to-DVD(HD-DVD/Blu-ray) etc.
Like I mentioned in a thread on the Sanctuary forum, having the fans themselves pay directly the creators of a show is the best way for us to get what we want.
Soon Stargate SG-1 will have its direct-to-DVD movies out, in addition for Babylon 5 fans there is a direct-to-DVD movie coming out in July.
I will gladly support these folks and "vote with my wallet" ,so to speak, to keep these shows alive.
This may sound like a "fanboi" post but it is not. I am a "fan" of all things sci-fi and I really wish that we could get our "sci-fi" fix through creative ways like the exclusive internet release which will take the Network executives out of the equation.
Bottomline, go buy the DVD's and the Sanctuary episodes! Support Amanda Tapping and all the sci-fi actors/crews that are facing cancellations to their shows while "reality shows" continue to be aired.
I am looking forward to a day when I can come back from work, log on to Farscape.com or StargateSG1.com to buy and download the latest episode and watch it in HD quality without any restrictive digital rights codes!!
The Networks can keep their reality shows, oh and the "Nielsen Families" can keep their boxes! Gimme Sanctuary!!!
One for example could call "Lost" a "sci-fi" show but not a "high sci-fi" one. The later tend to have more conventional elements of "space travel by ship or gate/wormwhole, space ships, aleins, other planets, beam weapons" etc.
These types of shows seem to be unpopular in the eyes of the "main stream" networks and tend to be replaced by more "low sci-fi" shows like Lost or Heroes.
Now I personally watch all sci-fi shows as long as they are entertaining (and hopefully intelligent), but my favorite sub-genre (if there is asuch a thing) has always been the Stargate, Star Trek, Babylon 5, and Farscape type shows.
Sadly, as I mentioned, there seems to be a lack of such shows on TV with the ones airing always facing the prospect of cancellation.
This drove me literally after getting the news of SG-1 not getting renewed to cancel all my cable subscription and to sell my TV set
Eversince I have been relying on the internet for my entertainment (I have been relying on the internet for my news for far longer prior to selling my TV hehe).
When I like a show and I wish to support it I simply buy the DVD's and visit the fan sites and the official forums of such shows to be a part of that community.
Now for the longest time I have been wondering what would be solution to allow such great shows like Farscape and Stargate to continue without living under the shadow of cancellation by the bean-counters and the network executives. The solution may be the internet itself along with the direct-to-DVD releases.
Which brings me to "Sanctuary". I just finished buying and watching the HD version of the first episode they released and I must say this could be it!
My expereince with Sanctuary so far has been very positive with a few minor issues that hopefully the folks there can address. I am mostly impressed by the availability of the HD version to download which puts any iTunes video to shame. In addition, the file does not have any screwy digital rights media codes or restrictions so you buy the file and it is yours to burn or watch on any PC using any player. I hope this sets the standard for others to follow.
Additionally which is a VERY important point, anyone in the world can buy the show unlike iTunes where it is limited to U.S. customers. This opens up a LOT more revenue sources for the show to make money. If one million people in the world out of 6 billion buy the episodes for $2.00 each, that is 2 million dollars per episode which can produce a great broadcast quality sci-fi show with all the bells and whistles, and very minimal overhead cost!
I am very glad that Amanda Tapping is working on this project and that many of the Stargate cast and crew are participating either as guests or regulars.
I really wish this model would succees which could open the door to many creative teams to follow suit and make great sci-fi shows for exclusive online release and/or direct-to-DVD(HD-DVD/Blu-ray) etc.
Like I mentioned in a thread on the Sanctuary forum, having the fans themselves pay directly the creators of a show is the best way for us to get what we want.
Soon Stargate SG-1 will have its direct-to-DVD movies out, in addition for Babylon 5 fans there is a direct-to-DVD movie coming out in July.
I will gladly support these folks and "vote with my wallet" ,so to speak, to keep these shows alive.
This may sound like a "fanboi" post but it is not. I am a "fan" of all things sci-fi and I really wish that we could get our "sci-fi" fix through creative ways like the exclusive internet release which will take the Network executives out of the equation.
Bottomline, go buy the DVD's and the Sanctuary episodes! Support Amanda Tapping and all the sci-fi actors/crews that are facing cancellations to their shows while "reality shows" continue to be aired.
I am looking forward to a day when I can come back from work, log on to Farscape.com or StargateSG1.com to buy and download the latest episode and watch it in HD quality without any restrictive digital rights codes!!
The Networks can keep their reality shows, oh and the "Nielsen Families" can keep their boxes! Gimme Sanctuary!!!
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