I don't watch a lot of TV any more. Largely because the shows I like are rarely programmed during prime time viewing. This means that in order to watch my shows I either have to watch TV at inconvenient hours or I have to go to the trouble of recording them to watch at my convenience. Neither of which I'm prepared to do.
Sometimes I'll watch individual shows but to take an interest in a series is something I'll no longer do after the 'Battle Star Galactica' experience.
The updated series of 'Battle Star Galactica' was launched in prime time on Australian TV and I watched it every week with enthusiasm. I really enjoyed the show. When season two went to air it was never advertised and was scheduled in the 'graveyard' shift of TV programming. I didn't know this until part way into the series. Of those times that I did remember I could never find what day it was screened. They seemed to move it around, changing the time and day depending on which side of midnight they decided to show it.
Never again will TV dictate my viewing. I'll watch whatever happens to catch my interest when I have some time to spare but that's it. I will not invest any more time than that. TV needs to change because I certainly don't need TV.
Shows need to be served up more like videos online. I'd rather watch the shows when I want. Even the obscure shows that only appeal to minority audiences. I'd rather be able to watch shows that were first programmed weeks, even months ago, able to be accessed from a TV stations archive on demand.
Most importantly I'd like TV shows to be free...supported by advertising that is truly targeted to the interests of people watching the show (much like Google does with its AdSense, web page advertising).
There is a better way to serve up TV and I sincerely hope that it's coming soon because, currently, TV is killing its self.
