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Post by Extremis on Apr 19, 2010 14:34:08 GMT -5
I don't think Tribune is out of the picture, since reading this post from LOTS_Sponsor on March 27/2010:
Hey Seeker fans,
We talked with our contacts at ABC/Disney a couple of days ago. There wasn’t a whole lot of new information this round and some of the information we already knew, but this is what we were told:
We learned that ABC Studios and Disney are still exploring their distribution options at this time. They want to make sure they get the best deal in place to reach the maximum number of viewers in the event that all Tribune networks are to be dropped after Season 2.
Negotiations are still on going with Tribune (that is not a typo) for Season 3 distribution as well as potential fall back options with other syndicated stations and cable networks should negotiations fail with Tribune.
ABC Family and SyFy are still being discussed. I would say SyFy would be their choice based upon what we heard if they chose to go through cable distribution. **However, this is just my opinion so don’t count the other options out.**
We were also told again that ABC Studios and Disney are very eager to continue LOTS for a third season and story ideas are being tossed around from the producers and writers for season 3 episodes.
We will be contacting them sometime next month for our next touch base, unless there is some official announcement sooner, at which time we will contact them and start negotiations with them and networks for sponsorship, or unless we hear something directly from ABC Studios.
Rest assured, unless something drastic happens or suitable distribution deals can not be reached, there will be a Season 3. Everything is pointing in that direction.
forums.legendoftheseeker.org/showthread.php/2214-ABC-Disney-close-to-deal-for-3rd-season-of-LOTS?p=37259#post37259
XXXXX
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auroracat
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Post by auroracat on Apr 19, 2010 14:39:55 GMT -5
I remember reading this when it first became public. It is very possible that Disney/ABC would like to find distribution on a station that will treat its Seeker better in terms on consistency and time slot. But they aren't willing to burn any bridges either.
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Post by Erika on Apr 19, 2010 19:44:30 GMT -5
A big part of me always felt that the blowhards at the Tribune announced that they weren't renewing it in order to bring ABC/Disney back to the negotiations table and try to get a better cut for showing the series. This is encouraging to say the least
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auroracat
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Post by auroracat on Apr 20, 2010 19:57:32 GMT -5
I found this in the Parade magazine in my sunday paper:
Question: I record TV shows on my DVR to watch when I have the time. Does not watching shows "live" affect their ratings?
Answer: "Anytime a viewer watches a program, whether it's live or played back on a DVR, it is included in the TV ratings," Gary Holmes a spokesman for the Nielsen Company, tells us-speaking of the select group of viewers Nielsen tracks. However, when a show is viewed matters to advertisers. "It's more valuable to them if you watch a commercial close to when it was originally aired," Holmes says.
So it's good to know all my DVR watching is counting!!!!
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Post by jlyn on Apr 20, 2010 20:57:27 GMT -5
I found this in the Parade magazine in my sunday paper: Question: I record TV shows on my DVR to watch when I have the time. Does not watching shows "live" affect their ratings? Answer: "Anytime a viewer watches a program, whether it's live or played back on a DVR, it is included in the TV ratings," Gary Holmes a spokesman for the Nielsen Company, tells us- speaking of the select group of viewers Nielsen tracks. However, when a show is viewed matters to advertisers. "It's more valuable to them if you watch a commercial close to when it was originally aired," Holmes says. So it's good to know all my DVR watching is counting!!!! I think that line means only if you DVR watch and you are tracked by Nielsen. It was my understanding that only those with a Nielsen box are counted in ratings. Sounds like they are referring to those people. I wish I was one of them.
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auroracat
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Post by auroracat on Apr 20, 2010 21:24:09 GMT -5
I don't think the question was submitted by a Nielsen family. I think what it means is that when they are counting how many households are "watching" a show, having it DVR'd counts as an airing.
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auroracat
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Post by auroracat on May 6, 2010 19:51:19 GMT -5
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Post by jlyn on May 17, 2010 18:13:47 GMT -5
Just thought I'd post recent ABC Upfronts information for their new line-up. This is what we could be getting in place of Seeker... Don't be concerned that you don't see LotS here - since it's syndicated it wouldn't be covered during this. I was surprised to see they are rolling out 9 scripted shows. Reading that ABC as a new ad-sales team is encouraging (I think) and also that the market is 'looking robust'. We shall see!! source * May 17, 2010, 6:30 PM ET TV Upfronts 2010: ABC to Roll Out Nine Scripted Shows Search Speakeasy Walt Disney Co.’s ABC is rolling out a big cache of new television shows for the second consecutive year, as it tries to rebuild a shrinking audience in its evening hours. On Tuesday, the network plans to unveil to advertisers about nine new scripted shows, with six likely to be hour-long dramas. The new series include “No Ordinary Family,” about a nuclear family that develops super-powers after surviving a plane crash, and “Off the Map,” its third doctor-centric series from “Grey’s Anatomy” creator Shonda Rhimes. ABC’s presentation is on the second day of “upfront” week, the splashy New York tradition in which major television networks present their fall schedules to Madison Avenue. The presentations mark the unofficial kickoff to negotiations over billions of dollars in advertising commitments for the coming television season. General Electric Co.’s NBC network unveiled a lineup of 12 new scripted series Monday morning, while News Corp.’s Fox Broadcasting offered seven of its own in the afternoon, including a new block of sitcoms. Other networks, including CBS, TNT, and Univision, have presentations slated later in the week. ABC again invested more heavily in new shows than some of its competitors this year, with 23 pilots, down only slightly from 25 a year ago. By comparison, NBC had 20 pilots. ABC needs new hits. This season through May 9, its average number of viewers between the ages of 18 and 49 years old is down 7.1% compared the same period last year, according to Nielsen Co. Those declines aside, ABC notched a big success last fall with the comedy “Modern Family.” The family-friendly show, which chronicles an extended family all living in the same area, has become a hit, averaging 9.3 million viewers so far this season, according to Nielsen. Many within the television industry credit the show for helping reignite broader interest in sitcoms, after several fallow years. “Modern Family” was the latest to use the increasingly popular fictional documentary storytelling technique, which has been popularized through shows like NBC’s “The Office.” Now ABC is importing the device into more dramatic fare. The network says its new police-detective drama “Detroit 1-8-7” uses the format, as well as “My Generation” about former classmates 10 years after their graduation. Such shows often feature characters speaking directly to the camera. ABC is entering the upfront season with a new ad-sales team after the departure at the end of 2009 of Mike Shaw, who had steered the network’s sales for nearly a decade. He was replaced by ABC veteran Geri Wang, who was joined by Debbie Richman. She had worked at cable network Lifetime, in which Walt Disney Co. owns a stake. Buyers say the upfront marketplace is looking robust, as marketers resume spending in the wake of the recession. Barclays Capital estimates overall commitments for next season could rise 20% in dollar terms, after falling nearly 22% last year. But Barclays projects ABC’s take this year will grow only 16%, as higher rates per viewer are offset by further audience declines.
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mysticgal
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Post by mysticgal on May 17, 2010 18:35:51 GMT -5
Thanks Jlyn...I am encouraged by this....time will tell. Let's keep doing what we are doing.
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Khei
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Post by Khei on Oct 30, 2010 1:03:45 GMT -5
Forgive me if this is the wrong place to post it but..
Everything considered there is one other way we could see a third season.
Joss Wheadon proved during the writer's strike that a quality product could, in fact, be produced on a shoestring budget without the major studios and be profitable as a web exclusive. Webisodes as it were. Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog had good effects and a great cast yet was done on the cheap.
Perhaps this wouldn't be the optimum option but it's still a viable possibility.
Just my two cents
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deacon
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Post by deacon on Oct 30, 2010 11:36:41 GMT -5
There are still a few network options. What mostly hurt us last Spring and early Summer, was that by the time we heard about LoTS and began writing in earnest, the networks were done looking for shows. They had their Fall line-ups.
Now, we are entering into that "window of opportunity" that happens at this time of the year. Starz is looking to more than double the amount of original programming that they currently show. They are actively looking for new material, and for partners to be c0-producers. According to early predictions, The CW will be looking to replace 2 to 4 of their shows. And, DirecTV is showing the final season of "Friday Night Lights", so they will be looking to replace at least one show. It was DirecTV that picked up "Friday Night Lights" and "Damages" after other networks had dropped them.
Webisodes could be a possibility, but I would not give up yet on the networks. We need to take advantage of this time period when they are looking for replacement shows again.
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Khei
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Post by Khei on Oct 30, 2010 20:43:34 GMT -5
Keeping fingers crossed here and Naturally, though I might be a noob, I'll be doing whatever I'm capable of to help the cause!
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derascal
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Post by derascal on Nov 1, 2010 0:09:11 GMT -5
Interested in finding out any specific people to write re "window of opportunities" because I too think there are a number of series biting the dust and hopefully we could put Legend of the Seeker back into the playing field??? ras
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deacon
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Post by deacon on Nov 3, 2010 2:46:55 GMT -5
As for the "window of opportunities", we probably stand our best chance with Starz. They have also worked with Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert (exec. producers of "Seeker") on "Spartacus". Recently Chris Albrecht, the President & CEO of Starz, said in an interview that "Starz is looking to boost its original programming output from 25 to 50 - 60 hours." He also said that they are looking for shows that "are globally monetizable, just like 'Spartacus', rather than focused on the U.S. only", and that "Starz will use creative financial approaches, particularly partnerships, to limit programming risk." So, it is safe to say that Starz is "shopping" for new material.
Another potential candidate is The CW. Early predictions indicate that they will be replacing 2 to 4 of their series. Given the kind of ratings that are consistent with CW programming, "Seeker" has potential for their network.
A third candidate with much potential is DirecTV. They offer series on their 101 Network. It is DirecTV that picked up "Friday Night Lights" and "Damages" after other networks dropped them. "Friday Night Lights" is now in its final season on 101.
If you go to the Journey Book Campaign thread, you will see that this week we are writing to representatives at Starz and Sony Pictures Television. If you are wondering why Sony is on the list, Starz made clear that they are looking for partnerships to produce and distribute new shows. Sony produces many shows in partnership with various networks.
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auroracat
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Post by auroracat on Nov 3, 2010 8:18:38 GMT -5
Deacon: Thanks for this great information. Also keep in mind that Starz already has a working relationship with ABC/Disney that might help facilitate things.
For those in interested and in a position to help; there is currently a project underway to send either season 1 or 2 dvds to targeted executives at the three networks (Starz, CW, and DirecTV). We need to move on this quickly as we have a serious window of opportunity right now. If you are interested in sponsoring one of the people (i.e. paying for a season of LotS to send to them) or want to contribute a little bit to this project, pm myself or Deacon.
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