The LA Times reports that the CW network will remove Gossip Girl streaming from its website at CWTV.Com. The story points to what Bill and I have expected all along, despite reports to the contrary, advertising is still far more profitable via traditional means.
There are a variety of reasons for this including that demographic information about the viewers, a critical component to the advertising model on television is tracked via Nielsen. Good demographic information about random web users isn’t valued as much by advertisers.
Will we see a spike in iTunes sales as a result? I doubt it. Or will it just bring a gaggle of young women to learn about illegal downloading of torrents. We know at least at the onset of the season Gossip Girl charged a heavy premium for 30 second spot according to reports. Whether it was able to hold that up now that up based on not so great ratings is in doubt, and I suspect that’s exactly why the CW is blocking the streams on the web.
I don’t think that’s a great idea, either. I have to run, but more on this later.
Update: did a new post on this topic.
They really can’t accept that nobody wants to watch Gossip Girl, can they? I love how the article claimed executive are “flummoxed” (didn’t know they knew words that big at the CW) by Gossip Girl’s low ratings since it had such a cyber following, which makes me twitch.
On what basis are they claiming Gossip Girl has such a following? Because it’s downloaded on iTunes? Please. Where are the rest of the raving lunatics that usually accompany a huge online fandom (winning popularity polls, emphatic posting to articles, i.e. Supernatural)? Nowhere!
They really can't accept that nobody wants to watch Gossip Girl, can they? I love how the article claimed executive are “flummoxed” (didn't know they knew words that big at the CW) by Gossip Girl's low ratings since it had such a cyber following, which makes me twitch.
On what basis are they claiming Gossip Girl has such a following? Because it's downloaded on iTunes? Please. Where are the rest of the raving lunatics that usually accompany a huge online fandom (winning popularity polls, emphatic posting to articles, i.e. Supernatural)? Nowhere!
Angie, I second that emotion.
I think we have a pretty good feel on the enthusiasm level for many shows, and we get effectively zero activity ala “OMG, I *love* Gossip Girl!”.
Angie, I second that emotion.
I think we have a pretty good feel on the enthusiasm level for many shows, and we get effectively zero activity ala “OMG, I *love* Gossip Girl!”.
Further confirmation that they really only renewed it to save face. I’m of the opinion that CW will be shutting its doors before the fall season starts. Losing Smackdown was all the proof I needed. What network would allow their #1 show to leave, no matter the price?
Further confirmation that they really only renewed it to save face. I'm of the opinion that CW will be shutting its doors before the fall season starts. Losing Smackdown was all the proof I needed. What network would allow their #1 show to leave, no matter the price?