YTV releases fall highlights
As we all expected the Great Inversion has been confirmed: Big Fun Fridays are here to stay, which we can only assume means Bionix has been left to be plucked at by seagulls on the boundless wasteland of Saturday nights. Blue Dragon and Dinosaur King are the only confirmed anime acquisitions so far, so you'd all better start praying to whatever god you can that neither one of those air even in close proximity to Bionix. If you don't believe in any gods, this might be a good time to make one up.
On what I assume to be a related note, Wolverine and the X-Men will be airing on Saturday nights at 7pm. This is interesting not only because it suggests that YTV is, in my opinion, rather unwisely following Cartoon Network's procedure of airing all of the actions shows on Saturday nights (making it the "right thing to do"), but also because it's not airing on NickToons in the US until early 2009. So this means we'll get to enjoy Zordon-Xavier at least four months before our American friends.
I wish I could say that was the worst development, but it really isn't. Sundays are now officially being branded as "Nickelodeon Sundays". Yes folks, you heard that right. The days of YTV being able to successfully take American programming and flawlessly incorporate it into their own brand are over. I expect that the coming generations will only be encouraged to hold American brands in higher regards than ever. Since kids will now be getting the impression that they're only getting a taste of "the good stuff", YTV's branding is almost forcing itself into an inferiority complex. Great. Also, rest assured that Invader Zim won't be airing on that block. Although as with pretty much any anime series targeted at people over fourteen, it shouldn't come as a huge surprise if it doesn't return at all this September.
__________________________
Zannen, Canada webmaster.
*waits for YTV to announce NickTV*
EPIC FAIL YTV. Please, I pray to all that is holy to ugh... Bob-ism... please YTV don't screw your Bionix fans over, PLEASE! Didn't I say please already?
Wolverine and the X-Men does sound interesting though.
and... WTF, what is Home Improvement doing on YTV ~__~;;
Doesn't this belong on CMT or something XD
Overall, it's a disappointment for me... I don't think I'll be tuning into YTV this fall at all though. But I'm barely still in their demographics, so I guess it doesn't really matter 0.0
Are you guys forgetting that Sundays, with the exception of Just Add Water, was already Nickelodeon Sundays for a good some time already?
All they're doing is getting paid big bucks to (finally) give a nameless block a name. Although I too am not a fan of the uber-product placement as their name choice, this does free up the Zone, a block which deserves and demands better attention than merely Spongebob and Oddparents.
As for Saturdays, it's too soon to tell if an action block is bad. I just want them to change up the selection of post-10pm shows.
And YTV doesn't need Home Improvement. Unless it's airing right after or right before Fresh Prince, I really don't want to see this at all.
Lastly, anybody else get the impression that this was mis-released information? It strongly implies that it's merely the Corus September Press Release, not a new-lineup release. For example, the movie "premieres" have all aired on YTV before, and the specifics for most line-ups aren't given. It also didn't mention any of the October premieres at all.
H2O: Just Add Water is a show created by the Australian Nickolodeon Network, so yeah.
For this schedule I have nothing to say but, blame the Americans, more specifically Cartoon Network. It's more then a coincedence that Toonami and the Anime portion of [AdultSwim] got shafted to Saturdays, and low and behold, YTV shafts Bionix to Saturdays.
And why the hell are they picking up Dinosaur King? Isn't that staying on 4KidsTV on Fox? They should have picked up Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds since that is a CW4Kids show and most people don't get a CW affilate without an antenna or something.
Aswell, if they're planning on running The Next Star after it's finished, then they've clearly lost their marbles and have become Much in terms of repeating dried up programs.
I also notice a seeming lack of new YTV original scripted programs, I'm like so totally not surprised! I used to defend this channel, but I don't think I can anymore, they've lost their identity.
__________________________
- I miss Bionix -
I'm rather surprised and saddened at this schedule. What I don't get is why YTV is taking one of the strongest blocks they've ever had in Bionix and seemingly scrapping it. Has there been a change at the top level of management that was unannounced? Do they want to be re-branded "MTV 3" or something?
What also surprises me...no Gundam 00, No gurren Lagann and no Code Geass (though Pep would probably be happy on the last one). Three shows that would bring in crazy ratings and not a peep or sign of them showing up.
Oh well, I guess that's now one less channel I have to flip through come the fall given there's nothing on YTV I want to watch.
__________________________
Gundam Plus II. Forums open to Gundam and any other anime related talk
I'm not surprised at all over the fall schedule. For quite a while now YTV has been losing it's identity, and this announcement on its fall schedule seems to be following its pattern of identity insecurity. I don't think it can get that much worse, though. Maybe, if this new schedule doesn't get a strong reception, YTV will take a hint and start gearing more towards their original audience.
__________________________
"Post your own damn quotes, lazybones!" - Me
I can't say if it's true for cable, but ExpressVu has been carrying CW since it started, although they were carrying a couple WB stations that became CW stations.
Those that rely on antennae for CW are going to have to setup for digital reception if they want to get it after February.
__________________________
Patrick McNamara
Central Hub (Access to podcasts, stores and blog):
http://writerpatrick.webs.com
Toy store: http://patrickjmcnamara.webs.com
Book store: http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=139581
I've got some more info:
It seems that Dinosaur King will be airing on Monday mornings at 7:30AM EST starting September 8th. This little bit of information is courtesy of YTV's Episode Info javascript system.
(which is as follows "http://www.ytv.com/programming/schedule/showinfo.asp?showid=", type in "Dinosaur+King").
Also as per this system, and it's actual series page on the YTV website, Naruto won't be airing on YTV again until September 6th at 8:00PM. With this in mind, it'll be pre-empted again on August 30th. It is not known what it'll be pre-empted it with at this time.
Source: YTV Show Info script and YTV.com Naruto series page.
So... Blue Dragon's on Bionix now. I guess we should just give up all hope now. It's all over, folks.
What also surprises me...no Gundam 00, No gurren Lagann and no Code Geass (though Pep would probably be happy on the last one).
They can air Code Geass if they want. I'm sure it would be very successful. I just don't like it. But hey, who cares? Bionix is dead.
I'm not surprised at all over the fall schedule. For quite a while now YTV has been losing it's identity, and this announcement on its fall schedule seems to be following its pattern of identity insecurity. I don't think it can get that much worse, though. Maybe, if this new schedule doesn't get a strong reception, YTV will take a hint and start gearing more towards their original audience.
And who exactly is this original audience supposed to be?
__________________________
Zannen, Canada webmaster.
I guess you can kind of blame me for Blue Dragon. I mentioned it like last year a few times, as well as this year, but never in a postive manner once I realized it had become Viz's next localization victim.
__________________________
- I miss Bionix -
Yikes.
First off, I'd like to add on my "WTF" comment in regards to Home Improvement on YTV. The former sitcom additions were more understandable (Malcolm in the Middle, Fresh Prince somewhat), but Home Improvement? I don't see it having much appeal towards kids, with the random episodes I've seen of the show over the years.
And does YTV really expect their kiddy anime to perform well so early in the morning, and on a school day, no less? I never really understood why the station would air their titles so early. Maybe lots of kids actually watch TV that early in the morning? I expected Dinosaur King to be on Saturday afternoons, either before or after Pokemon D/P and Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. Unless morning time slots actually bring in the ratings or it has a repeat time slot on Saturday afternoon or whatnot (it's way too kid-oriented to air on Bionix), I can see Dinosaur King being canceled at some point. As for the absence of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, I'm thinking that they're waiting until GX is finished or nearly finished before acquiring it. I hope this is the case, because I don't want another Pokemon Advanced situation happening again.
As for Blue Dragon on Bionix, well, let's just say that I'm simply disappointed to see it on the block. This would've been more fitting on Crunch, simply put. I have nothing against the show itself (I give every anime title a chance), but it's simply too childish for a block that is meant to contain programs targeted toward a higher demographic. This also possibly means a lower possibility of seeing a more teen-oriented title on Bionix. With Blue Dragon taking up valuable space, if Avatar ends up airing in reruns on the block or if Naruto doubles up again, then we probably won't be seeing anything noteworthy, unless YTV stretches out the block further.
And I was hoping for at least one of the three big Bandai mecha titles to premiere. It could still happen, but it's sure looking grim right now.
__________________________
I used to watch Bugs Bunny as I got ready for school, so showing cartoons in the morning is understandable. Especially if the parents insist that the child be ready for school before they watch the show -helps the kid wake up early and get ready, and the show helps wake the kid up for school.
Who is running YTV?! Whoever it is, is clearly hell bent on running that station into the ground, or at the very least making it the proverbial (soon to be literal at this point) prison bitch of U.S.A. networks. Rather than bank on the fact that anime has now passed the Beatles and is now twice as big as jesus, they choose to haphazardly dip into the pool, and then jump out right when things start picking up, not only angering the fans they made, but loosing them permanently by switching demographics (for that time slot anyway).
This comes across as nothing more then a slap in the face of people who stood behind YTV, not that this is the first time they've turned their back on us, but like a beaten hostage with severe stockholm syndrome, we just kept coming back.
All i'm getting from this is that YTV doesn't want hard core fans anymore, and instead wants to try and build a fan base of a demographic not suited for the time slot.
(Make sure your computer has at least a level 9 sarcasm filter installed, less it may explode from this next paragraph)
In the end, when it comes to where to point fingers, their clearly not to blame for changing everything for seemingly no reason, we're the ones to blame for being fans in the first place 0_o. That right there, is what I like to call "YTV logic".
__________________________
I am an artist, so here's my art =P. LINK
YTV isn't interested in hardcore fans, it's interested in kids with rich parents and kids with disposable income. If they think they can get more advertising dollars from showing a kiddie version of American Idol than anime then they'll do it.
And the real market for YTV is suppose to be the 5-17 crowd so if that group's not into anime then it's society to blame and not YTV. And even if it's not, YTV isn't totally at fault. Failures and changes in NA anime distributors has been hard on the industry, so it might be more a case of YTV just having trouble finding suitable material. And it doesn't help that just about every show decides it needs at least one hotsprings episode. I'm sure there's more than a few parents who might get upset to hear their kids watched a show where two guys went to a bathhouse. (Remember Canadian bathhouses are a LOT different than Japanese ones.)
As I've said before, the real problem isn't YTV cutting back it's anime, it's the lack of anime on other stations--especially those that don't have the same restrictions as YTV. It's only that YTV is practically shouldering the entire load that makes it's changes hard. But things might change and we don't know what other networks have planned for the fall.
__________________________
Patrick McNamara
Central Hub (Access to podcasts, stores and blog):
http://writerpatrick.webs.com
Toy store: http://patrickjmcnamara.webs.com
Book store: http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=139581
Hm. It feels like they're trying to change their demographic. I guess if you're over 13, they don't care if you watch their station anymore.
YTV used to be a station that kids could grow up with and continue watching well into their teens.
Now, it will be ridiculed by teens.
This also doesn't make the possibility of TAC look very realistic anymore :(
The future of anime in Canada looks grim.
__________________________
Green Corner ~ Do you believe in magick?
Sailor Moon Snipits ~ The Online Sailor Moon Infocentre.
Well, there's still a chance that they're doing this so they can save up acquisitions FOR an Anime Channel. However, I still firmly believe that such an outcome would probably make things even worse - especially if you have to subscribe to the station. If TAC were to start up early next year or something, there would be less incentive for people to criticize the current state of things on YTV.
As I've said before, the real problem isn't YTV cutting back it's anime, it's the lack of anime on other stations--especially those that don't have the same restrictions as YTV. It's only that YTV is practically shouldering the entire load that makes it's changes hard. But things might change and we don't know what other networks have planned for the fall.
Agreed. But that just brings us back to the problem we've had for the past decade: who else is going to provide an appropriate venue? Teletoon and SPACE are still really the only viable options, and their programming people are just as stubborn as ever on the issue, Robotechs and Akiras aside. Unless Showcase wants to get in on it...
__________________________
Zannen, Canada webmaster.
YTV started Treehouse because there appeared to be enough demand for it's pre-school programming, and as such they've removed most of it from YTV. Maybe YTV needs a teen station as well (YTeenV?). That would give it plenty of space for anime. The only trouble is that it could easily become too MTV.
__________________________
Patrick McNamara
Central Hub (Access to podcasts, stores and blog):
http://writerpatrick.webs.com
Toy store: http://patrickjmcnamara.webs.com
Book store: http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=139581
I was going to say there was a slight chance that BFF (a part of me died inside while typing that) could be from 6-9, allowing Bionix to return to Fridays and have that stuff as a lead in, but then I realized the fact that Boob Dragon is airing on Saturdays. With Razer done, and G4 not knowing what to do next, it does indeed look bleak for anime in Canada.
And if YTV were to launch a Teen channel, then they are officially Nick Canada, since Nick has "The N" which is funny because of MTV being a sister channel.
__________________________
- I miss Bionix -
I hate the fact that they moved Bionix to Saturdays. It doesn't really matter what day it's on to me, but I was so used to that beautiful time-slot on Fridays. Why mess with a good thing? Oh I get it, Ytv must be using that good ol' saying as there guide. "If it ain't broke then use a half-assed attempt to make it better." Will it work? Well as the Ytv staff scratch their head's and use the "wait and see" method, loyal Ytv viewer's already know it's the bone-headed move of the year.
Puzzled1: I agree with your "bone-headed move of the year" comment.
It looks like they don't care about their "older" target demographic. Giving that impression will only make them lose viewers – and it will be near impossible to get them back.
It's not like they air much else that average teens would even be interested in.
I think my list of TV stations to not bother watching is growing :(
__________________________
Green Corner ~ Do you believe in magick?
Sailor Moon Snipits ~ The Online Sailor Moon Infocentre.
For the record, I don't even watch YTV anymore.
The only think I really wanted to watch was Gundem SEED destiny, but I missed episode 7 the first time around and thought I'd catch the series on the second run (I don't like skipping episodes). The second time the series ran, I missed episode 8. So haven't watched YTV since then, because nothing they're showing interests me.
Then again, I've also been to busy to watch *most* tv... made time for Smallville on A-channel, and sometimes on Space (if I needed to catch a rerun), but that's about it. Only other show on television that interests me is House M.D., and I'm so far behind on that that I'll have to watch the episodes on their website at some point.
When are we going to get good anime? like maybe more episodes of Detective Conan?
Old episodes of House (and Numb3rs) air on Showcase.
__________________________
Green Corner ~ Do you believe in magick?
Sailor Moon Snipits ~ The Online Sailor Moon Infocentre.
As far as I know, every episode of House is on House's Fox website. And I've never watched numbers, but it's been on my list of things to try out...
But on that note, are there *any* shows that channels like Space might be willing to pick up, if they knew about them? Like something fairly-recent and right up Space's themed alleyway?
Black Metal Seraphim wrote:I'm not surprised at all over the fall schedule. For quite a while now YTV has been losing it's identity, and this announcement on its fall schedule seems to be following its pattern of identity insecurity. I don't think it can get that much worse, though. Maybe, if this new schedule doesn't get a strong reception, YTV will take a hint and start gearing more towards their original audience.And who exactly is this original audience supposed to be?
I'd say ages 5-17. The station is starting to cater only to ages 5-12.
__________________________
"Post your own damn quotes, lazybones!" - Me
Well, that pretty much confirms it for me. YTV will become Nickelodeon Canada within 2 years. I'm calling it right now. Start praying to the television gods that Funimation Channel has the SENSE to set up shop in Canada or Corus makes good on that quote unquote Anime channel or Teletoon finally wakes up. (doubt it)
My Advice, Enjoy Bionix while we can.
__________________________
Pep wrote:Black Metal Seraphim wrote:Maybe, if this new schedule doesn't get a strong reception, YTV will take a hint and start gearing more towards their original audience.And who exactly is this original audience supposed to be?
I'd say ages 5-17. The station is starting to cater only to ages 5-12.
YTV's original audience when it debuted in 1988 was not 5 to 17. It skewed younger at first. The idea of catering to teens developed later ... and then there were forays going after even older audiences (remember shows like Stressed Eric?) ... and now perhaps the station is returning more to its roots and focusing on children. Which it should, really. It's not supposed to be a channel for us older folks.
User login
Poll
Archive
- September, 2005 (3)
- October, 2005 (8)
- November, 2005 (8)
- December, 2005 (5)
- January, 2006 (8)
Syndicate
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Joined: 2006-05-28