Bionix gets hosed in July
According to the latest press release from Corus Entertainment, YTV's Bionix block will be pushed back to Saturday nights starting July 19 in order to make way for the debut of The New Star the night prior. In addition, the block will be cut down to two hours, consisting only of new episodes for Avatar, Naruto, Zatch Bell, and Bleach. It would be nice if this move were reversible, but with thirteen episodes, The New Star will be running into the first week of October.
Given how low Saturday ratings figures tend to be and the complete lack of Death Note in the line up, this is not a good sign for the block.
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Mmm... I think you're jumping the gun a bit. Unless The New Star is like 4 hours an episode (granted I can see 2 hours when it debuts, like American and Canadian Idol), I really don't think we'll be losing all those shows altogether. Note that Shadow Raiders, Storm Hawks, Futurama and Zim weren't anime to begin with, so there's a pretty good chance they'll maintain a timeslot somewhere in Friday night after The New Star ends.
As for Death Note, Eureka Seven, etc, since they're all repeats and aimed at an older audience than what's remaining in Bionix, I wouldn't be surprised to see them air as shortly as immediatley after Bionix ends, or maybe they'll maintain a late-night post-Bionix airing.
Also, weren't there rumors that YTV would be getting a "horror" block? If so, it would probably be crap like Mystery Hunters, Ghost Trackers and Dark Oracle, but it might end with Death Note.
Also, having all new episodes of YTV's most popular anime on Saturday might be a good thing (if they were repeats, I'd agree with you). It means a huge chunk of YTV's viewers will be tooning in during a timeframe when YTV's competitors are all airing repeats of bad TV shows. It may also just be a trial thing or a summer thing.
Bionix is getting hosed in June too!
I noticed there isn't any new Zatch Bell next week. From 8pm it's Naruto, Futurama, Prank Patrol(!), Mystery Hunters(!), Death Note and Gundam Seed Destiny then Shadow Raiders at 11pm.
What's with Prank Patrol and Mystery Hunters! These don't belong in Bionix.
All we can do is hope that they go back to the norm in the fall or anime in Canada is doomed.
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Wait a second. The YTV.com listings don't suggest this happening...but Zap2It's do. Now I'm worried. YTV's saying that Naruto and everything is going to be airing as normal(although they might change this tommorow, given how finicky their schedule is becoming) on June 13th.
If this is the case: They really know how to piss everybody off these days, don't they? It's Summer 2006 all over again, if not worse than that. I suppose Telefilm Canada must have had a connipition fit with Corus over some Cancon troubles of some kind(I blame Teletoon's nightly run of movies...even then, their beef should be with Astral/Teletoon, and not Corus/YTV). Either that, or YTV's current management are a bunch of idiotic dinks who'd rather get their kicks from of reality knockoffs during 9PM-10PM. God knows what's going on with those idiots.
If there is any consolation whatsoever, the post-1AM timeslots are still intact - even then they're all repeats anyway.
So I guess this 'Naru-tastic' thing[the airing of the OVA and the movie] they're planning in two weeks may be their 'farewell' to Bionix on Fridays...and maybe forever, the way things are going.
Hmm, this doesn't look very good. Personally, this doesn't affect me too much, as I often stay home on Saturdays. Regardless, Friday is a much better time, considering that people do go out on Saturdays (though I wonder how much this applies to the younger part of the targeted demographic) and that viewers are quite accustomed to getting their anime fix on Friday now.
In regards to Zatch Bell, words wouldn't be able to describe how disheartened I would be if YTV pulls it off the air again, for an extended period of time.
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Zatch is suppose to be back when they make the Saturday move, but it seems pointless bringing the show back just for two weeks before removing it again. It's obvious that the programmers don't have a clue what they're doing.
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I perfer Bionix to be on Friday nights.
Most Saturday nights I'm over at my sister's playing board games if her husband is either off or working days, he works some Saturday's.
Maybe i'll have to catch the later Bionix. Since I have Bell Expressvu I get YTV East and West.
I'm unpleasantly surprised. I'm starting to wonder how long it'll be before YTV is rebranded into the name of some Viacom-runed channel.
When they bring back "Big wolf on Campus" and "Breaker High" that's when you know the end is near. ;)
I'm not really that shocked as isn't this the time of year YTV starts to fiddle with the schedule for "summer programming" as well as place stuff to fulfill the Cancon requirements?
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Bionix is getting hosed in June too!I noticed there isn't any new Zatch Bell next week. From 8pm it's Naruto, Futurama, Prank Patrol(!), Mystery Hunters(!), Death Note and Gundam Seed Destiny then Shadow Raiders at 11pm.
What's with Prank Patrol and Mystery Hunters! These don't belong in Bionix.
All we can do is hope that they go back to the norm in the fall or anime in Canada is doomed.
1) TV listings and TV guides don't say that. Might be a misprint in yours.
2) Zatch Bell is YTV's baby right now, as it's their only show with new episodes for the summer. It doesn't make sense for them to drop it altogether the instant they bring it back.
3) Anime isn't being dropped in Canada merely because YTV is moving Bionix to Saturdays. It's just summer programming.
Seriously guys, stop catastrophizing everything. We go through this with every station every summer. ^_^;;
1) Zap2it's listings say that. They tend to be fairly up-to-date. YTV's site is often horribly out of date and I wouldn't trust any print listings because those are often created weeks in advance. The following week will be the Naruto movies. Only the actual airing will show for sure.
2) They are bringing Zatch back when they move to Saturday, but it's a dumb move to bring the show back for just two weeks before pulling it again for a while. Even though they're bringing the show back, it's hard to say how many new episodes they have. It's possible they want to stretch until fall by running some cancon instead.
3) While it's still too early to panic since we really won't know what's going on until the fall, it's not a good sign for a five hour Friday night Bionix block to become a two hour Saturday night block. While it's unlikely that all anime would disappear from YTV, it's nice to have something more than Pokemon and Naruto fillers. Anime has taken a big hit on Canadian TV recently with Geneon's passing and this move doesn't inspire confidence.
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1) Zap2it's listings say that. They tend to be fairly up-to-date. YTV's site is often horribly out of date and I wouldn't trust any print listings because those are often created weeks in advance. The following week will be the Naruto movies. Only the actual airing will show for sure.2) They are bringing Zatch back when they move to Saturday, but it's a dumb move to bring the show back for just two weeks before pulling it again for a while. Even though they're bringing the show back, it's hard to say how many new episodes they have. It's possible they want to stretch until fall by running some cancon instead.
3) While it's still too early to panic since we really won't know what's going on until the fall, it's not a good sign for a five hour Friday night Bionix block to become a two hour Saturday night block. While it's unlikely that all anime would disappear from YTV, it's nice to have something more than Pokemon and Naruto fillers. Anime has taken a big hit on Canadian TV recently with Geneon's passing and this move doesn't inspire confidence.
1) Curse you and your very reliable source! :(
2) Well, the cancon "reality shows" are popular on YTV among the shows' targeted audience. Since Bionix on Fridays follows some of these reality shows, maybe Friday is a test for an expanded reality show block they've had random advertisements of. IE: Once Bionix is on Saturdays, maybe Friday nights (prior to 10pm or 11pm) will be devoted to shows like Endurance, Adrenaline Junkies, and the ones you mentioned.
3) I still don't see Bionix being reduced from five hours to two as something to freak out over. It's more than likely just for two or three months. At that, it's being marketed as "All-new anime." Currently two of the five hours aren't anime-related at all, while another hour (Death Note and Gundam Seed/Destiny) would be repeats and therefore wouldn't qualify.
Like I said in an earlier post, I wouldn't be surprised if the non-anime Bionix shows maintained their Friday night listings, or aired after Bionix on Saturdays simply because they didn't deserve to be part of Bionix to begin with.
Was it ever actually confirmed that YTV had commitments to Telefilm Canada? While it certainly explains a lot about their actions, I'm pretty sure that it was purely speculation.
When they bring back "Big wolf on Campus" and "Breaker High" that's when you know the end is near. ;)
Haha, very true. Although it would be nice if they'd actually keep producing live action drama programming. How is constantly cramming reruns of their current CanCon arsenal helping anybody who actually works in the industry?
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BTW, just thought I'd chime this into this topic... (wasn't sure if this was discussed already): but Corus is re-proposing
YTV OneWorld O.o
The applicant states that the proposed service will offer programming from around the world targeted to children aged 6 to 17 years and their families. The schedule will include programs devoted to entertainment, humour, travel, games and science and technology.
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2008/n2008-6.htm#8
So... it's an extension of YTV I presume.
EDIT: Oh and right under that, there's something called YTV POW (wth).
The applicant states that the proposed service will offer programming from international markets featuring the latest trends in non-violent action, adventure, superheroes, comedy adventure and interactivity. YTV POW! will reach an interactive level with programs on the games associated with action series as well as magazine shows to cover current comic book trends and the classics.
Application by Corus Entertainment Inc., on behalf of a company to be incorporated, for a licence to operate a national English-language Category 2 specialty television programming undertaking to be known as YTV POW!.
The applicant states that the proposed service will offer programming from international markets featuring the latest trends in non-violent action, adventure, superheroes, comedy adventure and interactivity. YTV POW! will reach an interactive level with programs on the games associated with action series as well as magazine shows to cover current comic book trends and the classics.
The applicant proposes to offer programming from the following categories: 5(b), 6(b), 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), 7(d), 7(e), 7(f), 7(g), 10, 11, 12 and 13 as set out in Schedule I of the Specialty Services Regulations, 1990.
The applicant states that no more than 15% of all programming broadcast during the broadcast week shall be drawn from category 7(d).
Can someone explain what all these categories mean? What's the 15% max on?
Anyhoo, I'd actually love YTV POW! to come into existence. To be honest, I'm surprised a non-specialty channel like this doesn't already exist.
"Non-violent action?" Doesn't sound that interesting and rules out a lot of anime.
The categories refer to content. I believe the 15% is limiting movies.
It's interesting that POW! was approved back in 2000 but YTV never did anything with it. Hopefully the anime channel won't wind up the same way.
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Although it would be nice if they'd actually keep producing live action drama programming. How is constantly cramming reruns of their current CanCon arsenal helping anybody who actually works in the industry?
It may be a while yet, though, before Canadian channels truly start programming on a year-round schedule like the U.S. networks do. Summer is still considered a bit of a dead TV season in this country, especially for youth-oriented channels.
One World is quite honestly the worst name for a channel that isn't operated by Christian Childern's Fund, or Green Peace.
Who wants to bet if POW gets off the ground that most of its' lineup will be/is what's airing on YTV? It kind of makes me laugh, that I could see Captain Flamingo on that channel.
And I agree with Pep. YTV needs to go back to scripted programming of the live action variety. Their last new Original Live Action Scripted program (stupid High School Musical Ripoffs do not count) was what? Monster Warriors(which incidentally will end next month, with a TV movie IIRC)? That premiered in 2006. Sure Zixx will return in the fall, but these are all shows greenlit by YTV before 2007, and premiered before that.
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YTV needs to go back to scripted programming of the live action variety.
For kids? Or for older viewers?
I only watch YTV for one 'mature viewers' show (Death Note) and one crossover family show (Avatar). YTV tends to have far more animation that interests me than live-action fare ... and I doubt that would suddenly change.
Honestly, at this point I don't care if it's aimed at children(most likely) or an older youth audience. I'm just growing restless of turning to the channel and seeing an episode of "Fries With That?", which was canceled by YTV years ago, and seeing so much of their reality shows.
I once read an article that the columnist said if jPod was split to a half hour, that it could be the most popular show in YTV history (the fact that this person said jPod, and YTV in the same sentence, makes me believe he's never read the book, or watched more than 15 minutes of the show). Now I'm not asking for jPod level of quality Canadian productions(I have the CBC to complain to about that). I'm just asking for some scripted live action productions from this channel. Just so it doesn't look like a Viacom channel running around with rather poor American Sitcoms(aka Nick's junk), or reality shows (makes it look like the tween version of MTV, serious, it does).
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I still don't see Bionix being reduced from five hours to two as something to freak out over. It's more than likely just for two or three months. At that, it's being marketed as "All-new anime."
That's what they said about Cartoon Network's venerable Toonami block when it was moved to Saturdays, and now it practically doesn't exist.
I've felt that YTV has always followed Cartoon Network's lead when it comes to anime a little too closely for my liking (Gundam Seed Destiny being the notable exception). Any Adult Swim anime fan will tell you about how it's really been getting the shaft lately on that network - it doesn't seem that unreasonable to assume the same may be happening at YTV.
I'd like to believe that it's just summer scheduling, but I don't think it's wise to be that complacent.
Of course, all would be forgiven if they'd just launch that damn Anime Channel.
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Aside from Degrassi and Falcon Beach, I don't see any teen shows that are live action and capable of holding an audience for very long. Falcon Beach I don't watch, and Degrassi is owned by CTV. It doesn't surprise me that shows like Caitlin's Way, Dark Oracle and Zixx rotate their way in and out of YTV's line-up.
EmperorFred: I'm too complacent? Dude, you pretty much just called YTV the Canadian response to Cartoon Network. Two totally different markets. Although I'll acknowledge that they often let CN's success act as a test market, it makes sense to: is there ANY Canadian company that picks up anime? Sure we're the big dubbers, but not the distributors. Nelvana's picks are all usually little kids' anime. Apart that, I don't think I can name a Canadian company.
So, what kind of live-action shows would you suggest? Falcon Beach, from the little I saw, seems to be a drama. Degrassi seems to be somewhat of a drama too. Monster Warriors and Zixx are action/adventure, right? And Dark Oracle is, what, Mystery?
So what kind of live-action shows would be a compliment to the line-up?
Shows like Dark Oracle (which I find is more drama-horror for tweens, anyway) and Buffy did extremely well on YTV. I would suggest more drama and horror, but it make it star teens and aimed FOR teens instead of the tween market. That way it has some kind of lasting power. Action/adventure shows seem to be too large-scale (for reasons I can't fathom) for anything Corus can get done. Meanwhile we see live-action dramas and horror/supernatural shows doing very well.
Falcon Beach is a smart move, don't get me wrong. I just personally don't like that exact show. As for Degrassi, they can't get it because CTV owns it. Are Global and YTV affiliated (through Corus)? If so, YTV should get renegadepress.com while it's still new and successful.
I'd also go with sitcoms and family-comedy, if I were YTV. They love shows like iCarly and Malcolm in the Middle. Why not make their owns live-action shows like that? They could use one of the tons of existing American shows that are and were popular as a template.
I am a fan of Veronica Mars, and was pretty disappointed when I heard it was canceled. It's a great show that they could air to appeal more to female teens. There is, of course, plenty to interest male teens as well.
I think YTV might feel uncomfortable with some of the issues addressed in the show. Veronica is drugged and raped at a party prior to the beginning of the series and has flashbacks of the events she recalls and her attempt to report it to a highly insensitive Sheriff. I think that the issues were addressed appropriately and sensitive issues such as what I mentioned in the spoiler above were more of an undercurrent than prominent themes (and could be dealt with most effectively with disclaimers and a reasonable timeslot). Above all, I think that the topics of the show were very relevant to teens and provided realistic "what if" scenarios.
Really, Veronica is an awesome modern version of Nancy Drew. I think that there would be some cross-over appeal with the audience who enjoys Smallville as well. And it's refreshing to see a teen show with intelligent dialogue.
I remember when I was a teen how much I hated that most of the teen-oriented shows featured brainless dialogue. Veronica Mars is smart, but more approachable and natural than Dawson's Creek (which seemed to add random lengthy words in for show). I will admit that one of the things I liked about Dawson's Creek when I was a teen was the dialogue, though I think it was a fair jump from how teens generally speak.
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I know they aired it on W. I was watching the early episodes there for a while, but then it disappeared without notice.
I think that it would be more successful on one of the Corus networks if it were targeted more towards teens than adults. They'd probably have better luck airing it near Smallville than Medium.
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This is getting away again from the concept that YTV should be commissioning new live-action programming.
Not that I really care, as I doubt they'd ever cater to my tastes in that respect. I'm even too old for the likes of Catwalk. (Remember that one? Gave the world Neve Campbell.)
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