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September 15, 2024 7:32 pm  #1


Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

As a TV crazed kid, the only award show I ever watched was the Emmys, hoping my favourite show would win (and possibly ensure it got renewed for another season.) I rarely missed it and I almost always enjoyed it. 

But not any more. 

The Emmy voters have now surrendered almost every single category (Best Comedy, Best Drama, Actor, Actress, Supporting etc.) to shows most of us will never get to see. It was one thing when they favoured HBO. It's quite another when 98% of the shows nominated are now for programs seen only on streaming services. 

Even if you like some of the shows on these private pay networks, there's a very good chance you don't subscribe to all of them and even if you did, you couldn't see Hulu or Peacock in Canada, although Crave may have a few of those programs. 

There's no point in watching an awards show if you haven't seen any of the nominees. I wish the Academy would remember there are still some fine programs on the free over-the-air networks which are quite good and watched by millions. Yet in the past few years, they're all but ignored. (Many critics lament the fact that CBS' "Ghosts" never gets any nominations, despite the fact it's an excellently written comedy.) 

If it wasn't for critical darling "Abbott Elementary," the networks would be mostly shut out. 

The other problem I have is the categories. I've seen the first season of "The Bear," and the second one is up for a ton of prizes, including Best Comedy. The problem? It is most definitely NOT a comedy. I don't think there was a single laugh in all of season one. Instead, it was more of an intense drama. But you wouldn't know it from the nominating judges. 

Perhaps we need separate categories for broadcast/cable and streaming (i,e, Best Comedy on free TV with Best Comedy on Streaming getting its own category.) Because as it is now the Emmys is full of shows I'll wager most of its audience (ironically watching the awards on network TV) have never seen. 

Where's the excitement or satisfaction of seeing an unknown show win anything? They need to rethink this before it becomes even more irrelevant. 

 

September 15, 2024 7:54 pm  #2


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

RadioActive wrote:

The Emmy voters have now surrendered almost every single category (Best Comedy, Best Drama, Actor, Actress, Supporting etc.) to shows most of us will never get to see. It was one thing when they favoured HBO. It's quite another when 98% of the shows nominated are now for programs seen only on streaming services. 

However, I think VPNs are more commonplace than you might think, and streaming IS what's mainstream.  NOT linear broadcast television.  When I rewatched the Trump/Harris debate (someone uploaded the broadcast to YouTube), I saw a lot of US commercials on ABC.  To me and my partner, it seemed odd, as though we were transported to another time.  It like going into Hudson's Bay and feeling like you're back to the early 90s, because you walked into an actual department store.  It doesn't fit into regular 2024 lifestyle.

What you'll also notice is EVERY show promo was "Such and such time on ABC ... and the next day on Hulu".  If that doesn't indicate what's irrelevant, meaning linear broadcast television, I don't know what does.
 


Cheers,
Jody Thornton
 
 

September 15, 2024 8:12 pm  #3


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

I agree that streaming is now the mainstream and broadcast is essentially scraps, but then I'll also suggest that means the EMMYs would be better suited to move to streaming platform for their first run,

 

September 16, 2024 12:54 am  #4


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

RadioAaron wrote:

I agree that streaming is now the mainstream and broadcast is essentially scraps, but then I'll also suggest that means the EMMYs would be better suited to move to streaming platform for their first run,

How are ABC's ratings for the EMMYs?  Is ABC running into that problem of audience growing older? Or are younger crowds also watching?  ABC is OTA in the States, so, along with what's left of sports, Emmys count as an excuse to be a viewer of OTA programming for the first run. Also a great way to generate lots of ad revenue. 
 


RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person. 
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.

 
 

September 16, 2024 8:50 am  #5


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

RadioActive wrote:

There's no point in watching an awards show

I realized this as fact long ago. Nothing more than industry wank sessions.

However, to your OP - how is it the award show's problem that you haven't kept up on the product? Not that I would watch the Oscars but I would only consider watching if there was a particular film I was interested in. I certainly wouldn't waste my time if I hadn't seen any of the nominees that year. You even mention the fultity of such but still sat down to watch anyway? Does not compute.

You've decided to not subscribe to the newer platforms where all these "award worthy" shows live and that's okay. There are a few I don't subscribe to either and I'm not missing their programming. The award shows are going to trend to what's popular and digital platforms are popular - just not with you or perhaps (y)our demographic.

Last edited by Binson Echorec (September 16, 2024 8:51 am)

 

September 16, 2024 9:07 am  #6


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

I didn't watch the Emmy's last night either than a few minutes.  What struck me was a lack of promotion for either the Emmy's or the CCMA Awards (Canadian Country Music Awards) that were both broadcast on CTV.  The CCMA's were broadcast from Edmonton on Saturday night.  I hadn't seen one promo for the show and the Emmy's only saw a couple of promos a few days prior. 

Variety claims the program last night was a bit handicapped since the previous Emmy's were given out only 8 months ago.  Two shows in one year is a bit much, but the scheduling got shifted around because of the strike.  Maybe that explains why the Peacock Theatre was not sold out last night and some shots showed not very crowded sections inside with empty seats.   More from Variety..https://variety.com/2024/tv/tv-reviews/emmys-2024-review-eugene-dan-levy-1236145523/

 

September 16, 2024 10:47 am  #7


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

Take a look at the nominees and which shows won. 

Emmy Winners List

Now ask yourself how many of the programs listed you've actually seen. I've heard of them all as a follower of this stuff. But I can honestly say not only haven't I watched them, but even if I did subscribe to the services that show them, I probably wouldn't tune in a lot of them. They just don't interest me. And to pay for that is adding insult to injury. 

Yes, I get that this is where the industry is going. But that doesn't make it a good thing. I believe the only reason the Emmys are still on broadcast TV despite almost no broadcast shows winning anything (or even being nominated) is because the networks own their own streaming services they want to advertise. 

The world has changed. The Emmys haven't. No matter how many services there are out there, most of us can't afford to subscribe to them all. Nor would I want to just to see one or two shows. There really needs to be separate awards shows for streaming and broadcasting. It's impossible to care about the Emmys if you haven't seen any of the programs they're honouring.

(To be fair, I have the same issue with the annual Tony Awards, which critics regularly praise as one of the best such shows of the year. But almost all of the winners are based on Broadway, hundreds of kilometres away from where I live. Why watch it when there's no way to see the plays that are being honoured? It never made sense to me and now TV is joining that conundrum, albeit in a different way.) 

I didn't watch the Emmys on Sunday for the first time in years. I don't feel like I missed anything. 

     Thread Starter
 

September 16, 2024 11:13 am  #8


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

RadioActive wrote:

I don't feel like I missed anything. 

You didn't.

 

September 16, 2024 12:17 pm  #9


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

Shogun???? The big winner??

Haven't they beat this story to death??

But I looked it up referencing the years...

I read the book in the seventies. The Richard Chamberlain TV-adaptation was in the eighties. The Shogun-ish version with Tom Cruise, the Last Samurai, was in 2003.

That face in the mirror is getting old.
 

 

September 16, 2024 12:41 pm  #10


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

To add insult to injury, I just read that in the "In Memoriam" section that salutes those lost in 2024, they left out Joe Flaherty. That's especially egregious, since the show was being co-hosted by Eugene Levy, who worked with Flaherty on the classic SCTV. 

     Thread Starter
 

September 16, 2024 2:06 pm  #11


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

I don't generally watch award shows other than the opening monologue or number but my favorite is the Tonys for two reasons - theatre people know how to run a live stage show and it's a way for me to learn a bit about shows I haven't seen and occasionally may pique my interest in seeing it if it does come to town. The other award shows are mostly scorecards where you root for a movie or TV show (or actor) you like but don't actually find out very much about shows or films you haven't already seen.

 

September 16, 2024 3:35 pm  #12


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

Jody Thornton wrote:

What you'll also notice is EVERY show promo was "Such and such time on ABC ... and the next day on Hulu".  If that doesn't indicate what's irrelevant, meaning linear broadcast television, I don't know what does.

Indeed, a recent survey shows you may be right. 

New Survey: Viewers Increasing Say Streaming Is “First Stop” for Watching TV

     Thread Starter
 

September 16, 2024 6:03 pm  #13


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

I think part of the big push for streaming is the fact that most of them are still losing money.  Only Netflix and recently Disney have been profitable.  The conglomerates maybe feel that in the long run streaming is easier and a more efficient way to bring in cash.  Subscribers bring in a monthly fee, and many are willing to put up with at least some commercials.  This makes streaming a double dip, and less reliant on advertising revenue.  As Mr. Wonderful would say "it is all about the cash flow.." 

But my issue would be that many of the streamers are becoming more like cable channels, who also have subscribers but rely much more on advertising.  Maybe the goal with streamers will be the great libararies of content available on demand with much less new original and expensive programming.  Hulu, Paramount+ and Peacock seem to be content to run the "day old" programming from their network cousins to help pay for the production costs and have less original and pricey programming of their own. 

Here in Canada, both Crave and CBC Gem also have original productions, with Crave actually offering more than ever.  Both CTV and CBC promote watching their regular programming the next day on Crave or Gem. I have noticed that little of Crave's original programming ends up on CTV or CTV2, and more of CBC Gem original programming does eventually play on the main CBC network. 

 

September 16, 2024 7:42 pm  #14


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

I must live under a rock. I have never heard of any of the shows nominated for an Emmy. Meanwhile, I am patiently waiting for the return of Chicago Wednesday and L&O Thursday. At least I have the NFL and CFL with MLB playoffs and the start of the NHL season happening soon.

 

September 16, 2024 7:55 pm  #15


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

paterson1 wrote:

I think part of the big push for streaming is the fact that most of them are still losing money.  Only Netflix and recently Disney have been profitable.  The conglomerates maybe feel that in the long run streaming is easier and a more efficient way to bring in cash.  Subscribers bring in a monthly fee, and many are willing to put up with at least some commercials.  This makes streaming a double dip, and less reliant on advertising revenue.  As Mr. Wonderful would say "it is all about the cash flow.." 

But my issue would be that many of the streamers are becoming more like cable channels, who also have subscribers but rely much more on advertising.  Maybe the goal with streamers will be the great libraries of content available on demand with much less new original and expensive programming.  Hulu, Paramount+ and Peacock seem to be content to run the "day old" programming from their network cousins to help pay for the production costs and have less original and pricey programming of their own.  

I may sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I fear what we're seeing is the coming of the end of all free TV as we know it. The U.S. networks each own their own streaming service, as you point out. 

I can see a day when they sign off the public airwaves and go streaming only - allowing them to not only ply you with commercials which you have to pay to see but also get fees just to get the "network" of your choice. And as a bonus, they'll be free of that meddlesome FCC keeping them honest. It will be exactly the same as what we have now OTA but with a subscription fee.

Hope I'm wrong. But I can see it coming.  

     Thread Starter
 

September 17, 2024 7:11 am  #16


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

I watched Shogun, it was very well done. I would liked to have seen John Hamm win for his performance in Fargo. That was the only two of the nominated productions i saw. 

 

September 17, 2024 7:54 am  #17


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

Viewers south of the border, while not exactly flocking back, did decide to take a look at the Emmys in greater numbers this year: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-2024-tv-ratings-1236004078/

 

September 17, 2024 8:25 am  #18


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

OUTSTANDING DRAMA:
The Crown
Fallout <- watched it but won’t bother to watch further
The Gilded Age
The Morning Show <- have watched all seasons & will watch further
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Shogun — WINNER
Slow Horses
3 Body Problem

OUTSTANDING COMEDY:
Abbott Elementary
The Bear <- watched a couple of episodes; didn’t feel the need to watch more
Curb Your Enthusiasm <- have watched episodes sporadically over the years
Hacks — WINNER
Only Murders in the Building
Palm Royale
Reservation Dogs
What We Do in the Shadows

OUTSTANDING LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES:
Baby Reindeer — WINNER
Fargo <- have watched every season; enjoyed the season with Jean Smart the best; will watch further
Lessons in Chemistry
Ripley
True Detective: Night Country <- have watched every season; season1 was the best; Night Country was meh; will watch further

p.s. I subscribe to Teksavvy IPTV Basis/News/Sports but not any streaming services

 

September 17, 2024 10:45 am  #19


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

RadioActive wrote:

paterson1 wrote:

I think part of the big push for streaming is the fact that most of them are still losing money.  Only Netflix and recently Disney have been profitable.  The conglomerates maybe feel that in the long run streaming is easier and a more efficient way to bring in cash.  Subscribers bring in a monthly fee, and many are willing to put up with at least some commercials.  This makes streaming a double dip, and less reliant on advertising revenue.  As Mr. Wonderful would say "it is all about the cash flow.." 

But my issue would be that many of the streamers are becoming more like cable channels, who also have subscribers but rely much more on advertising.  Maybe the goal with streamers will be the great libraries of content available on demand with much less new original and expensive programming.  Hulu, Paramount+ and Peacock seem to be content to run the "day old" programming from their network cousins to help pay for the production costs and have less original and pricey programming of their own.  

I may sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I fear what we're seeing is the coming of the end of all free TV as we know it. The U.S. networks each own their own streaming service, as you point out. 

I can see a day when they sign off the public airwaves and go streaming only - allowing them to not only ply you with commercials which you have to pay to see but also get fees just to get the "network" of your choice. And as a bonus, they'll be free of that meddlesome FCC keeping them honest. It will be exactly the same as what we have now OTA but with a subscription fee.

Hope I'm wrong. But I can see it coming.  

Hardly a conspiracy theory; it's what people want.

One you've made regular use of on-demand, portable TV, going back to linear broadcast tethered to your home seems quaint to say the least.

And besides, linear hasn't been "free" for most people for a long time.

Last edited by RadioAaron (September 17, 2024 10:47 am)

 

September 17, 2024 11:14 am  #20


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

RadioAaron wrote:

..
One you've made regular use of on-demand, portable TV, going back to linear broadcast tethered to your home seems quaint to say the least.
..

Bingo .. 

Other than Live Sports, the last "appointment style" TV show viewing I've done was "Better Call Saul" season#2 .. that was back in 2016. 

 

 

September 17, 2024 11:38 am  #21


Re: Why I Can't Watch The Emmys Any More

The eight or nine shows I regularly watch on network television are always PVR'd. 1. To avoid simsub. 2. I can watch at a convenient time for me.