From: 00gdwessel@leo.bsuvc.bsu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.arts.anime
Subject: The PBS strategy (was Re: Get Us onto TV!)
Date: 16 Nov 92 19:42:51 GMT
Organization: Ball State University, Muncie, In - Univ. Computing Svc's

In article <ALMOND.92Nov15182823@bass.statsci.com>, almond@statsci.com (Russell G. Almond) writes:
> 
> Robert Nevitt writes:
> 
>> I have a thought... I've already E-mailed two others about
>> it but I thought I'de put it up here to see how everybody
>> else would react... I think that maybe we should start
>> a letter drive and send as much mail to the Fox Network
>> or MTV (both of which have experienced "success" from cartoons
>> nand would be willing to maybe play ONE half hour cartoon
>> series for one season...)  If we can get say... 10000
> 
> Actually, I think the network you should try is PBS.  They have
> several advantages:

Never thought of that, actually.....

> 
> 1) They are not afraid of small audience shares.  In particular, they
> are willing to host shows which (a) have "cultural" or "educational"
> value or (b) a loyal cult following, e.g. _Dr. Who_.  PBS measures its
> support through its pledge drives and not the Neilsen ratings.  Thus a
> large group of otaku plus a sizeable group of curious or Japaneese
> speakers who enjoy getting Japaneese programming on US television
> could support the show without needing to capture a large market
> share.

This is true.  In fact, in the area where I grew up(Chicago), there was a HUGE
DOCTOR WHO following (myself included!), and during the pledge drives a good
number of Whovians in the area would help out.  Just think of all the
animeheads(because if otaku is intended as an insult in the original Japanese,
I don't wanna screw with linguistics.  BTW What's a hentai, anyway?) that could
show support if, say, KOR or even MACROSS I/][ were shown.  That would bring in
more mone into the station, and may/would encourage more anime to be shown,
since there is a proven market for it.   

>                                   
> 2) They might accept a subtitled show.  (It can be sold as a
> "educational aid" to learning Japaneese).

In fact, they will, since about 3-5 years ago, a subtitled version of the French
movie "The Return of Martin Guerre" was shown with great success(it was
rebroadcast as well).             

> 
> 3) They would not shy away from the cultural references.  Instead, the
> some of the time normally devoted to commercials could be replaced
> with a Professor of Asian studies explaining the cultural references.
> (Just imagine all the fun your anime club can have shooting plastic
> darts at the screen and shouting rude comments as some pompus twit
> tries to explain the "thoroughly obnoxious liner notes" to UY; they
> did this in an LA area broadcast of the Prisoner and it was almost as
> much fun as seeing a movie at LCS (sucks!) :) Again it can be sold as
> educational.

Fun.  This I could probably do without, unless it's REALLY essential to
understand the plot.

>                    
> 4) PBS stations tend to run a lot of specials.  This could be used to
> test the market, i.e., run a movie or OAV with pledge breaks to see
> what kind of audience it attracts.  If the response is favorable, get
> the series.
> 
> I think that Urusei Yatusura might be the easiest series to sell; it
> is already subtitled and it comes with enough OAV's and movies for
> several years worth of pledge drives.

Other ones to consider might be RANMA 1/2, KOR, MI, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, 3x3
EYES (subbed), WINGS OF HONNEAMISE..... the list is endless.

The only stuff they should shy away from is an blatant children's shows(unless
it is shown after the weekend SESAME STREET or such...); or stuff like CREAM
LEMON or ASTALOT, because even PBS can get in trouble with the FCC....

>    
>                   
> Good thought about the letter writing campaign.  Knowing that there is
> a strong fan market already built in is likely to make the show more
> popular with producers.

I agree.  When should we start?

>                                                                     
> 	--Russell Almond
> 	almond@statsci.com
-- 

===============================================================================
NAME: Geoff Wessel  ALIASES: Weasel, Cerebus, f**khead, schmuck, "Hey you," etc.
00GDWESSEL     00GDWESSEL@LEO.BSUVC.BSU.EDU       UNIX: front242@bsu-cs.bsu.edu
===============================================================================
"Even though I'm afraid of myself I accept freeways!!!!!!!"
						-- NEGATIVLAND
===============================================================================