How Dead is Cable TV? Part II

Which groups do we target next? Cable television still has its perks but it's not always in a good spot. How about some Disney and NBCUniversal channels? All of this courtesy of ctv.kwayisi.com by the way.

Disney has a lot of stuff given their acquisition of Fox a couple of years ago. Fox News has dropped a bit at 31 percent for a year's span, but is still a leading channel in ratings. They don't bow to the same things CNN does. Fox Sports 1 has had a one year drop of 26 percent. Eventually, Skip Bayless and Colin Cowherd get tiring for some and the sports aren't all that interesting when they do get them. The rest of that brand are very small, though Business has had struggles.

The FX brand is one of the more interesting ones. But title name for the channel has dropped in average views in years. While a 14 percent decline compared to last year is small, it's nearing an average 200 thousand. Too many of the same movies airing all the time if I had to guess. No syndicated stuff other than Mike and Molly (and even that gets monotonous) and not enough original stuff. A 13 percent decline for FXX and an average of nearly 100 thousand. Kind of the same situation, but with a few other shows for syndication. Their idea from eight years ago is slowly dropping real badly. And FX Movie Channel is really small, but suffering a bit at the moment. Can't comment too much on it.

It'll be hard to determine what Disney's number have that are truthful. But their Channel and Junior channels have not suffered greatly at 7 and 1 percent compared to where they were last year. XD has dropped a bit at 23 percent. Outside of Christmas stuff, Freeform keeps struggling. A 17 percent decline is not horrible, but not good. Maybe less Shrek airings (lots of other films, too) and having a few other shows in syndication would be beneficial.  I'm surprised they have National Geographic. It's at a 24 percent decline, but it fluctuates wildly. This could rebound just a little. It's Wild channel hasn't struggled at only 2 percent.

The sports ain't doing good. ESPN has done better, but a 300 plus percent increase isn't spectacular if they can't hold on to their audience. Fluctuation the key factor. Same with ESPN 2. Even for as small as the College Sports channel is, it's done better. I'd imagine it will do even stronger numbers this upcoming fall.

NBCUniversal has a bit of channels. CNBC had a huge boost last year, probably because of the pandemic. Compared to last year, it's at a 26 percent decline. Still, people will watch it for the stocks. MSNBC's decline is like Fox News, though numbers are just behind Fox. They must be doing something grand if they aren't reaching CNN's low numbers. In terms of entertainment, Bravo has seen fluctuation, but a downward slope now. Same with the E! channel. They both roughly air the same films and not enough original stuff they re-air (though less Kardashian crap is good. Need more Modern Family reruns and other syndicated shows.)

I didn't know they had Oxygen. Whatever the case,  an 18 percent decline with some fluctuation. That can also be applied to SyFy. I know standards are low for the channel in recent years, but if Harry Potter can't save them, what can?  USA Network does better than most cable channels, but has a 10 percent decline. They have stepped up in movies aired, something I haven't seen to this extent in at least 15 years or more. But they are very much the Dick Wolf network with Law and Order and whatever Chicago show they have airing constantly. Eventually, you burn out.

NBC Sports Network will be gone after this year. The 700 plus percent increase does not save the problems it had from last year. With ups and downs, Golf Channel has been getting an interest for now with over 60 percent of an uptick. As it stands, Disney has a lot more at stake with what they got from Fox. I know the Internet is used more, but the channels are suffering the most from them compared to NBCUniversal. Speaking of them, they can recover at any point. But I don't expect viewers to stick with them consistently. Who do you think would survive longer? 

Shifting to Summer "Blockbusters"

I don't know what we can consider a major blockbuster for a film. With F9 out now, the numbers for the new Fast and Furious film are a good indication. From Box Office Mojo, it made 70 million over the weekend. Worldwide, over 400 million. This is a very telling thing potentially about the future of the summer.

We need films like F9. What I mean is that we need something that isn't a horror film leading the way. For as big a revival that genre has been for years, the glut of it is a little problematic. Sure, The Fast and Furious films are dumb popcorn flicks, but at least its different from whatever else is playing at the moment. Things have relaxed a bit throughout the world in regards to the pandemic. Not 100 percent, but some form of normalcy. Congregation at fun parks, stadiums. Movies are different.

The next couple of weeks have some wide releases. Looking at Box Office Mojo, the first is Zola from A24. That studio has built up a strong reputation in recent years. Maybe it performs well. I don't expect numbers like Hustlers, but something respectfully decent.  Around this weekend will be The Forever Purge and The Boss Baby 2. With Purge, I expect it to perform around the numbers of its predecessors. Reception will not hurt it despite the series not being regarded well. Boss Baby, I don't know where it goes. I don't think it will reach the numbers of the original. I also can't exactly see it wowing anybody either. The original wasn't hated, but wasn't liked either.

There hasn't been a Marvel movie in well over a year in theaters. Black Widow will change that on July 9th. Maybe it'll pull in strong numbers, but I'm not sure it will. I look at the glut of Marvel stuff, Disney Plus having it the same day of having it in theaters. Maybe one or two other things, but I don't know. Its first weekend would be an indicator of having strong legs or bowing out quickly.

Which "blockbusters" do you think has a chance to do some real damage in the next few weeks? 

YouTube Videos: Jun 18-24

 

DeGrom: Baseball's Best Pitcher?

Even with the crackdown on foreign substances, the light shines brighter on Jacob DeGrom. He has built up a huge season already and has reached a level baseball has not seen since Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez. At this point in the year, these look like something out of MLB: The Show.

Keep in mind that DeGrom is still battling injury issues, something the New York Mets are struggling with in their pitching department a little bit. Over 70 innings pitched and the earned run average is 0.50. It's a statistic the Mets are number one at. A testament to the pitching. Martinez had a couple years where it was under two. That's impressive, but DeGrom's stuff now is even more stunning. The innings will probably not reach what Johnson and Martinez did due to longevity and the persistence of using bullpens, but you still have a guy who can get over 200 innings of work.

Strikeout wise, DeGrom is more comparable to Martinez. Anything above 250 is excellent and if he can stay healthy, can reach that mark again and again. The Cy Young awards help. However, the win loss record is something to keep eye on. At the time of this, he is 77 and 53 overall His best season was a 15 win 2017 season. I don't know how things would be calculated, but there is still the opportunity to reach the Hall of Fame. But given the writers and the Clark family, he could get screwed over.

You could still make an argument of DeGrom being the best pitcher in the league. Right now, he is. But Max Scherzer of Washington may be one to keep eyes on. His ERA is not to where DeGrom is, but he is a strikeout and innings machine. Also gets a lot more wins, something the Mets don't get to their starters due to their inability to hold leads or score sufficient runs. Who do you think is the dominant pitcher in baseball? 

How Dead Is Cable TV?

How much worse can it get in the 2020s? I don't know what the standards are for every single channel and conglomerate, but it probably varies. Streaming has grown more and more. Apps on phones. Everything. The future is looking very grim. Which channels have suffered the most. This is courtesy of ctv.kwayisi.org for some networks changes and their look at cable in general.

The reason why I'm curious is because of Viacom and CNN. You get one look at Viacom and it is a mess of channels. BET has stayed consistent in a year's span. Interesting considering all the Martin and Fresh Prince reruns with airing the same films over and over. Comedy Central has suffered with a 15 percent decline from last year. They have a library they can dig into instead of airing The Office and South Park. How about movies that don't star Adam Sandler and Vince Vaughn? No knock against those two guys, but comedy variety is a thing. CMT is a shell of itself, but is doing a tiny bit better. MTV's numbers have stumbled with some uptick recently. It's a zig zag despite tries to not air three plus days worth of Ridculousness. MTV2 and Classic's numbers are a very small blip. They're not at risk given the standards.

Nickelodeon has dropped a bit at 26 percent. I don't know if it's the network in general, but the lack of shows that aren't SpongeBob SquarePants, not enough airing of shows, the political route they are going. Viacom is trying to pander on every channel they have, but this is bad for a network that has kids as the demographic. Nick at Nite doesn't even have much either. A stark contrast from 2005-06. Paramount Network saw a small decline of 9 percent, but it has fluctuated wildly. Cut the Bar Rescue marathons and not have reruns of shows from their other networks, and it could fare a little better. Maybe some films that aren't the usual ones they air. TV Land also fluctuates. That channel suffers from having the same shows over and over, but they're not overaired for the most part. VH1 has suffered a bit at a 22 percent decline from a year perspective. Do they have any new shows or new anything? Something that isn't a rerun or the same films? Viacom's smaller stuff is doing okay. The big channels I would be worried about.

There was to be a ratings drop at CNN. To drop 45 percent from where they were a year prior, that says something. Too many controversies with anchors, getting exposed by other media channels. These channels do have social media presence, but it will not save them as a channel. Turner has its highs and lows. Headline News is not doing well, but not struggling badly like CNN. TBS is steady despite a 9 percent decline.The amount of shows and films helps, but they could do better with cutting hours of Friends and The Bing Bang Theory and give other shows they have a license to a chance. TNT has done a lot better. I'd argue some of their original shows and airings of acquired shows and films has helped. The NBA, not so much. While not declining hugely, TruTV is near the point of an average of less than 100 thousand viewers. As much as I like Impractical Jokers, airing less of it could help. More airings of stuff like Tacoma FD and Fast Foodies would alleviate Joker fatigue. I don't think airing movies has helped at all.

What channels do you think have suffered the most? I intend to do more blogs about cable in the near future.

GTA Online Shutdown: 7th Gen

I look at GTA V as the last really huge title for the seventh generation of gaming before the new PlayStation and Xbox systems came about. This was a showcase of the 360 and PS3's power and would get online not too long after it released in September 2013. The trend of online shutdowns has continued the last couple of years. Rockstar is intending to shut GTA Online for 360 and PS3 in mid December with currency not being allowed to be bought in September.

It's not a shocker, but I am a little surprised. I would have figured another year. Then again, Halo on 360 is shutting down at the end of the year for all of its games. I am struggling to think of games that aren't Call of Duty that still would have online. But I'm sure there still is a decent amount. It brings together a large discussion on what happens with games once the online is gone. GTA would be fine given its single player content. Offline modes for other games. Then you have something like Destiny or Titanfall. I'll be curious about backlash if it gets really high on criticism.

Rockstar is also shutting down online for Max Payne 3 and L.A. Noire. For Max, that did have online multiplayer. Tried it in 2015 with no success in finding a game. L.A. Noire's stuff is related to Social Club, which all three games will lose. Keeping track of stats in accomplishing cases and finding collectibles. The numbers could still be decent on other games and apps. I just question if stuff will be done by 2022 or 2023. It's not like PS3 or 360 were abandoned that quickly. 

What do you think? How much longer until online ceases on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3? The inevitable will happen. Like I said, GTA V online is not a huge shock. Enjoy what you can before it is gone in December for those two systems.

YouTube Videos: Jun 11-17

 

Geeks and Jocks: Episode 80

Last episode of the season

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Episode-80-Get-Off-The-Players-Backs-e12rmeu

YouTube Channels I Watch: My Retro Life

You don't get many channels on YouTube that favor many system and try not to pick sides. It is a vibe I get when looking at the My Retro Life channel. This is a channel that's been around for a couple years, but the man involved had a channel before this one, so I'll try my best to explain based on viewing experience. Let's go back to roughly 2013.

I don't know how I stumbled upon Tyler Esposito's YouTube channel, but the first video I saw of his was back around 2013-14 and it was a Christmas video with the amount of Sega stuff he got in the 90s. The age difference isn't huge, but I can relate to him to some capacity growing up on NES and Sega Genesis. Unlike myself and others, Esposito has loads upon loads of video footage of playing various games courtesy of his late father. For the next few years, I was a regular watcher and liked his takes on a number of titles. When he closed his channel in 2018, that surprised me.

Esposito did open up in videos he has made over the last year about personal things and needing a clean slate to be a better person and family man. That resulted in selling over a thousand games and slowly building a new one of his own for him and his young daughter. He did return and was part of the Pixel Game Squad channel. Some of his My Retro Life stuff did come back and new ones to boot. A new channel last and it has picked up at points. 

The footage of what was shot does help him out. It brings forth a story to each one and what it was like to have a gaming family from the Espositos' perspective. Arcades in one episode. Getting into obscure stuff such as the Atari Jaguar. Epcot at Disney World and the Innoventions and playing games that had yet to release. That is what has hooked me into watching the videos Tyler has uploaded. And he isn't pretentious or trying to create a phony persona. Film is another passion and you can see that in creating the narrative for the episodes or side videos. 

My only fear is if he deletes the channel. Outside of that, it's a YouTube channel that isn't that extreme for a gaming channel. Here's to more videos and content that can be enjoyed by many. 

Plumber

I've never bought anything physically from Limited Run Games, but understand the purpose. They are giving PS4 and Switch owners discs of games that are digital only. The PS5 is getting some love now and have dug into doing other systems like the Sega CD, NES. Some of the titles for those systems for example are some of the pricier ones such as Shadow of the Ninja. Limited put out a set of releases they are working on. A lot of recognized names getting out physically. But the headscratcher is Plumbers Don't Wear Ties.

Plumbers originally came out on PC's in 1993 and a 3DO version came about a year later. If you want an example of the worst game ever, this takes the cake. Full Motion Video was a big deal when it was being made. This is a slide show with cringe dialogue, bad filters. It was panned. I'm not sure what kind of recognition it had prior to 2009 when reviewed for the comedy show, The Angry Video Game Nerd. But why is Limited Run interested in releasing this game for PlayStation 4 and 5, PC, and the Switch? Out of all the FMV games, why this?

If I had to guess, it's because of other re-releases of the genre. But there can be enjoyment in Night Trap, Corpse Killer, and Double Switch for some players. It's not like they were complete lowlights of the 3DO and Sega CD, but they weren't big highlights either. Another guess is probably costing cheap compared to Night Trap or most other games they re-release. Every game has its fans, but I'm struggling to see where someone could enjoy Plumbers. There is enjoyment to watching something real bad or ridiculous. None of that works here.

When this will come out, I'm not sure. Sometime early next year would be my prediction unless Limited Run has something prepped up and it comes before 2021 ends. If this was really cheap, I'd try it for the novelty of seeing how bad it is. It's cool to see re-releases of old games on modern hardware and modern computers. I just don't know who would be gullible enough to go for this.

The Bold Giant

A heart attack claimed the life of former NFL coach Jim Fassel on Monday. I'm not sure how much you can really say about the 71 year old's legacy altogether. For an emphasis on offense, he found himself in situations that anyone would have given up. It is also a little surprising he never got a second head coach opportunity in the NFL given today's pass happy approach. But it all has to begin back 30 years ago. 

Stats from Pro Football Reference don't lie. Fassel was a quarterback coach in 1991 with the New York Giants. A fight for whether Phil Simms or Jeff Hostetler would be the number one guy. Upgrade to offensive coordinator in 92. Gave Rodney Hampton his best year rushing at the time and had four quarterbacks start. A move to Denver a year later. Gave John Elway his best year in yards thrown and a run game that could score despite yards rushing not being like the Giants. Got good stuff out of Arizona in 96 with the passing game but low tiered rushing. With Baltimore from 2004 through 06, it wasn't pretty, but he did get good use of Steve McNair and Jamal Lewis in 06.

If you're going to remember him, it will mostly be his time as the Giant coach from 1997 through 2003. Keep in mind the franchise had been struggling since their Super Bowl win. One playoff year since, but also the changing of the guard. A lot of fresh faces and very young vets. The defense performed well under John Fox's schemes and a consistent ground game put the team atop of the NFC East in 97. But QB issues hampered a bit with 1999 being bad offensively in both facets despite a 7 and 9 record. Sean Payton becomes the offensive coordinator in 2000. They stick to Kerry Collins, who was there the year prior, and revitalize his sagging career. Tiki Barber is given proper usage. The Giants do well to begin the season and go 7 and 2 to start.

Two straight losses lead to the press conference of Fassel and his biggest moment. The claim of going to the playoffs led to a resurgence. End the season 12 and 4. Beat Philadelphia and shut out Minnesota to a Super Bowl, losing to the Baltimore Ravens. A down year for 01, rebounding in 02 and one of the biggest referee screw ups in the playoffs. Payton leaves and the team implodes in 2003. Fassel is gone after the season is over.

Fassel's overall record is 58-53-1. It is a bit of a shock he never got a chance to coach again in the NFL. Maybe the way offenses changed over the years dictated where the league was going? Teams wanting a revival possibly liking ideas he may have? Regardless, he put his name on the league and did things that would lead to future success in Denver and New York. He may not have won it all, but it carved a path for his successors to win Super Bowls.

YouTube Videos: Jun 4-10

 

Geeks and Jocks: Episode 79

New episode.

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Episode-79-Everywhere-is-South-e12deht

Sonic Origins and More

It's a little old, but it does coincide with Sega announcements regarding its mascot. Sonic the Hedgehog turns 30 in a couple weeks. Not too long ago came talks of re-releases of certain games in the franchise and a new one. I believe they are slated for next year or late this year. They are not the grandest of releases, but still hold interest if anyone has never gotten into them.

The first is Sonic Origins. These are re-releases of the mainline games on the Genesis and Sonic CD. Supposedly, these are not the original versions and they are getting widescreen support and extra features. With CD and the first two games, they were given modern polish on phones and CD saw release on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The inclusion of Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles is welcoming given its legal issues with the music involving the estate of Michael Jackson and others like Brad Buxer. Slim on the choices, but if the extra stuff is for real and the price is manageable, it will get some love.

Second is Sonic Colors. This was a Nintendo exclusive on the Wii and DS in 2010. One of the more respected titles in the franchise. It is slated for PS4, Xbox One, and Switch in September. I can't comment on it much since I haven't played much of it other than some time of the DS version. There aren't many choices to pick to remaster, but better controls could help it out. Last is a new title in the series. It was very brief, but whatever it is, it will be the first actual new title in about five years.

Sega isn't going overboard, but it is showing a little respect in continuing the franchise and getting people to play their titles. Consider it a reason to still stick to PS4, Xbox One, and Switch. 

A King's B-Ball Legacy

The Phoenix Suns won their series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. That should be the focus. Instead, the talk became more about Laker LeBron James. A lot has been made about his poor showmanship in Game 6 and the legacy altogether. The legacy part being ridiculed by many people, especially a lot of the obnoxious Michael Jordan fans. There isn't a lot to say, so I'll try to stay brief.

Being eliminated in the first round for the first time ever does impact James, but not too much in the short run. For his career, there is the doubt of the legitimacy of last year's championship. Compared to Kobe Bryant or even Tim Duncan (Duncan I think gets overrated a tad), he is a notch below them right now. Yes, James' volume of stats do elevate him, but with championships, this elimination makes him out as a bit of a weakling.

For a guy that is supposed to be a leader and a "role model", he put off a bit of immaturity. It's more than just that that makes James polarizing and hated quite a bit. His fanbase is very awful, but so are the Jordan fans. Without getting too deep, the fans on both sides that swear by them go beyond delusion to make their player look perfect. It undermines some of the other legends that came well before them. The elimination could make a difference in ratings getting a boost or cratering. Some heavy favorites are still in. Who do you think advances to the conference championships? 

YouTube Videos: May 28-Jun 3

 

Hockey Physicality

This blog piece is based on what happened between the Montreal Canadiens and the Winnipeg Jets. The Canadiens won the first game of the second round, but at a cost of losing Jake Evans with less than a minute to go. He scores an empty net goal and is demolished by Jets player Mark Scheifele. Quick scrum and medical staff come onto the ice. Evans gets put on a stretcher. The Montreal Gazette is reporting he will be out indefinitely with a concussion. Doesn't sound surprising.

I like a little bit of physicality in hockey. Fights are something I do enjoy when push comes to shove for the teams playing. But this is not the time to lose your cool and alter another player's career. Scheifele went full speed and charged around the head of Evans. There would have been a penalty and possibly a minor game misconduct for charging and maybe roughing if he didn't go upstairs. I have no idea how bad of a suspension it will be. My suggestion would be the rest of the round. That was Pierre Turgeon territory, though Turgeon's playoff goal in 1993 had more meaning.

There was nothing clean about it. The sport of hockey is a contact one, but there's a point to where it has to be played safely but also keep the physicality that fans enjoy. George Parros has not done a good job recently in my opinion. There should be a strict suspension. If there was to be a minimum, anywhere from three to five games. All I will say to end this is that one solution will not solve everything. It is something the NHL has to construct thoroughly. They won't win everyone over, but some safety can go a long way to prevent stuff like this. You just hope that Evans career isn't over.

Geeks and Jocks: Episode 78

New episode.

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Episode-78-The-Short-Filler-e120rsj

Fans: Are They Good?

We're back to normal... kind of. Sports are allowing near full capacity. That could be seen as a positive. The danger of the NBA is that it's very easy to be near players. Six incidents in the first round so far are a sign that fans are not always the best in terms of behavior. Its list is as follows. A fan threw popcorn at Russell Westbrook. Trae Young was spit at. Ja Morant's family was racially taunted. Immanuel Quickley had a beer thrown at him. Kyrie Irving had a water bottle thrown towards him after a game. And a fan ran on the court during the latest 76ers and Wizards game.

I'm anticipating a riot in an arena if things don't calm down. It's one thing to not go to stuff for well over a year for obvious reasons. But the behavior is very unacceptable. Bans for life are one option. Charges are another for the water bottle guy and the one who ran onto the court. Theoretically, one could hurt or kill a player. I point to a stabbing in 1993 of tennis star Monica Seles. Certain players are targets either because of the team a fan hates or specific agendas which shouldn't be ruled out entirely.

The Irving incident happened in Boston and continues to be a sad reminder of how vile the city's fans are. Look at ugly baseball incidents in recent memory with Adam Jones in 2017 and Red Sox player Kevin Youkilis opening up last year about the team's fans being racist towards their own players when he was playing for them. Reaction shows had some hosts saying they would have charged into the stands if they were in Westbrook's shoes. We've come a long way since 2004 with Malice in the Palace. It would be very embarrassing to see that type of crap again. It'd be nice for Westbrook to defend himself, but a hefty suspension and huge fine is something he would not want or any player for that matter.

I don't know what you can do with fans. There's only so much security and police can do and bans may not be the only thing that will solve it. Cutting alcohol is not an end all solution, but it would cut the stupidity by quite a bit. Maybe no food sold after the fourth quarter is halfway through? Whatever decision will not be an easy one to do. But the behavior better be curbed quickly. If it doesn't, you're going to see someone's career change if a fan does something nefarious.