"The things i do for love" Game of Thrones is here

[radiator]

Current rumours indicate that HBO may film seasons two and three (which together will cover the third book) back to back next year.

Exciting news, if true!

http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/11/rumor-hbo-to-order-two-more-seasons-film-them-back-to-back/

I can't help but wonder how a show like this can make money in this day and age - just about all of my friends love the show, but only one or two of them actually watched it on Sky - everyone else - and I'm thinking of 20+ here - people watched it via torrents...

[Batman's Superior Cousin]

Already read that article yesterday, besides, don't you mean Seasons 3 & 4?

[Roger Godpleton]

I can't help but wonder how a show like this can make money in this day and age - just about all of my friends love the show, but only one or two of them actually watched it on Sky - everyone else - and I'm thinking of 20+ here - people watched it via torrents...

As far as I am aware HBO have enormously deep pockets and an extremely lucrative business model. I think they've said that they're giving shows a lot of leeway with ratings because they feel like they made a mistake cancelling Deadwood before it's time.

[radiator]

Yes, that's right - seasons three and four, not two and three, two having already been filmed.

[I, Cosh]

Current rumours indicate that HBO may film seasons two and three (which together will cover the third book) back to back next year.

Exciting news, if true!

http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/11/rumor-hbo-to-order-two-more-seasons-film-them-back-to-back/

I can't help but wonder how a show like this can make money in this day and age - just about all of my friends love the show, but only one or two of them actually watched it on Sky - everyone else - and I'm thinking of 20+ here - people watched it via torrents...

Well, I don't know anything about actual numbers but from HBO's point of view isn't it irrelevant how many people watch it on Sky, so long as HBO have been able to sell it to Murdoch in the first place? Yes, that's just pushing the argument one level along but there you have it.

Presumably DVD sales are also a big part of their income stream too although again, you'd think that would be affected by piracy.

[radiator]

Well thats kind of my point - the old business model of a channel having an 'exclusive' show seems a little quaint now that everyone can get their hands on any show they want if they know how. Nearly everyone I know torrents stuff.

Am I going to subscribe to Sky to watch a single TV show? Am I fuck. Maybe ten years ago when there truly was no alternative but nowadays? I'm just going to download it instead.

Viewing figures most certainly DO matter to the likes of Murdoch, and how much longer is he going to keep paying big bucks for the rights to TV shows? I don't see a future for that business model.

In the case of DVD/Blu Ray - its also a dying market. I think there's a bit more life in it that most people do, but it's undeniably in decline. I definitely WILL be purchasing Game of Thrones on Blu Ray, partly to 'support' the show and do my bit to secure its future -  but I doubt many of my friends will, they've already seen it, without paying a penny or even having to watch any ads.

How long are these big productions going to be bankrolled?

[TordelBack]

I think they've said that they're giving shows a lot of leeway with ratings because they feel like they made a mistake cancelling Deadwood before it's time.

Amen to that, but much as I love AGoT, I know which I'd rather see more of. 

I too have been watching on teh torrentz, because I don't get any relevant channel.  I will however buy the boxset (if it ever bloody well appears), or perhaps more relevantly others would buy it for me as a handy present which they could then borrow and never give back. 

I've also torrented House, which I got sick of chasing round the schedules despite paying for the channel, and Clone Wars, which again I lack the channels for - I have however subsequently bought the boxsets of all series of those (although mainly secondhand from video rental places). In fact the wife and I have a shedload of boxsets from our more flush years, since I pretty much hate the rigmarole of watching TV (except for Masterchef).   So even us pirates are good for a pile of cash, especially for HBO - just perhaps not for Mr. Murdoch. 

[Roger Godpleton]

I've read that Deadwood was insanely expensive for a low rated show though. HBO and Paramount fell out big time over who was going to fund it.

[TordelBack]

I've read that Deadwood was insanely expensive for a low rated show though. HBO and Paramount fell out big time over who was going to fund it.

I can believe it.  Every time someone crossed the street (in the first season in particular) it was a jaw-dropping set piece worthy of DeMille.  There were more people buying shovels in Sol Star's store in an average episode of Deadwood than took part in the Battle of the Whispering Wood in Game of Thrones....

[vzzbux]

Side note to Deadwood. Was in any good and did it have a scene showing Wild Bill Hickok getting shot in the back of the head?




V

[TordelBack]

Side note to Deadwood. Was in any good and did it have a scene showing Wild Bill Hickok getting shot in the back of the head?

That'd be two "fuck yeah, cocksucker"s. 

[vzzbux]

Been mulling this over for a while, think I will have to watch it now.
Glad they didn't omit the Dead man's hand birth.





V

[brendan1]

Well thats kind of my point - the old business model of a channel having an 'exclusive' show seems a little quaint now that everyone can get their hands on any show they want if they know how. Nearly everyone I know torrents stuff.

Am I going to subscribe to Sky to watch a single TV show? Am I fuck. Maybe ten years ago when there truly was no alternative but nowadays? I'm just going to download it instead.

Viewing figures most certainly DO matter to the likes of Murdoch, and how much longer is he going to keep paying big bucks for the rights to TV shows? I don't see a future for that business model.

In the case of DVD/Blu Ray - its also a dying market. I think there's a bit more life in it that most people do, but it's undeniably in decline. I definitely WILL be purchasing Game of Thrones on Blu Ray, partly to 'support' the show and do my bit to secure its future -  but I doubt many of my friends will, they've already seen it, without paying a penny or even having to watch any ads.

How long are these big productions going to be bankrolled?

I made this point aswell. It's the same wth films. Pikey internet thieves have totally fucked the music industry, and they'll continue to suck the blood out of TV and films and then wonder why nobody can afford to make quality entertainment anymore.

Cunts

[radiator]

Erm, no, thats not the point I was making at all. You can hardly blame people for illegally downloading when it is so easy, especially if they're given little alternative. If the manager of Harrods left all the shops doors open overnight, who would be to blame if people walked in and started helping themselves?

The goal posts have changed - the inevitable result of technology rather than 'pikeys' as you say. Im just wondering how things can adapt.

And it's not theft, it's copyright infringement.

[brendan1]

The goal posts have changed - the inevitable result of technology rather than 'pikeys' as you say. Im just wondering how things can adapt.

And it's not theft, it's copyright infringement.

I wouldn't help myself to someone else's property if they left the door open. That would make me a looting, stealing cunt.

I don't really have any idea how to clamp down on piracy, but something should be done to close down torrent sites and prosecute people who operate and contribute to them.