Bones has really snuck some rampant advertising in.

[woodie1]

Internet is free?!?! Not everybody has a dumb neighbor w/ unprotected wifi, so regardless of how you watch you're paying for it.

I receive Bones OTA. Don't know what you're talking about.

 

[MotF Bane]

I remember that one in blade.

I remember that scene too. Jessica Biel, yum.

 

[Imp]

I've only noticed them overdoing the Toyota placements. Last season, the episode at the funeral, the director pulls up and blatantly says "Toyota Matrix". Last week's episode just had the big, fat Toyota logo focused dead centre, which is more annoying considering all the noise they've been causing recently. I'm not against product placement, just don't make it so damn blatant.

 

[Sahakiel]

Used to be advertising paid or programming.
First, viewers learned to get up and walk around during commercials.
Then, technology allowed viewers to skip commercials.
Now, technology allows viewers to view commercial free at their own leisure.
We're currently on track to develop interactive programming.

So, producers are simply scrambling to find a revenue stream that doesn't completely overturn the current industry model. The cash cow is showing its age, but rather than switch to any of the other available revenue models, they're breaking out the defibrillator to keep it going.

 

[Bignate603]

Time Warner is on thin freaking ice with me. Not because of what they've done for me but because of what little they are offering. Hulu is now showing so much content I am not actually aware of any of the shows I like that I cannot find online--and legally (who would have known?!). In fact I think HGTV is the only thing we watch now that isn't easily findable online.

I did it and put some of the saved money towards netflix which gives me access to even more streaming content. Even paying for netflix I still save about $40 a month. I'm actually ticked at myself for not doing it sooner.

 

[Ns1]

Used to be advertising paid or programming.
First, viewers learned to get up and walk around during commercials.
Then, technology allowed viewers to skip commercials.
Now, technology allows viewers to view commercial free at their own leisure.
We're currently on track to develop interactive programming.

So, producers are simply scrambling to find a revenue stream that doesn't completely overturn the current industry model. The cash cow is showing its age, but rather than switch to any of the other available revenue models, they're breaking out the defibrillator to keep it going.

A certain syndicated crime show costs 80m to produce in it's last year.

Can you tell me what "alternative revenue models" you speak of that can recoup that investment?

And let me tell you, current dvd profits and internet revenues for the entire SERIES don't even break 5 digits.

 

[Sahakiel]

A certain syndicated crime show costs 80m to produce in it's last year.

Can you tell me what "alternative revenue models" you speak of that can recoup that investment?

And let me tell you, current dvd profits and internet revenues for the entire SERIES don't even break 5 digits.

Net profits or gross profits? I would believe net profits. Production costs to press DVD's and provide packaging is about one dollar per disc. The rest of that goes to distribution and paying for the right to produce it. As much as gas has gone up, I doubt it occupies the other 15 dollars or so that make up the per disc price.
Fact of the matter is the current business model is catered towards paying the very few. Break the model, pay less for those few faces, pay less to the people above them, reduce the amount of random crap on the tube that's there to take up air time. I can guarantee a lot of that 80 million figure you quoted is going towards paying someone too much for doing too little.
The music industry lost a lot of revenue the last 10 years due in part to poor products, but mostly because consumers can now pick and choose what they pay for. Rather than subsidize the hits by paying for the crap, people buy the hit singles and ignore the albums. Movies have already been there and television will follow.



If you simply take the streaming model without regard for any other revenue stream, turning a profit isn't a problem. Equipment and operating costs come out to several cents per viewer for large distributions. The only deterrents are high ISP costs and copyright legislation.
Providing high bandwidth to consumers is blocked by two problems. The first is cable companies unwilling to let go of old business models. Cable TV infrastructure cost is small compared to the contract costs. Change the business model, and the contract cost reduce to reasonable levels, which lead to viable streaming model.
The second roadblock to high bandwidth is the lack of infrastructure. Cable is the most widespread broadband source for consumers, but by limiting bandwidth, they keep viewers stuck to buying channel packages where most of the profit goes towards paying for exclusivity. As long as last generation's equipment still runs, the only reason to upgrade is a strong consumer incentive (which is missing due to no compete clauses). The only other major source for broadband internet is DSL, and telco's are either unwilling to invest because profits aren't available until years later after they finish rollout, or unable to invest because of regulation in each state/county/city (either due to exclusivity contracts involving cable systems, plain red tape, or the "build it in his backyard, not mine" mentality).


Now, can you explain how a show costs 80 million to produce without mentioning overpaying, kickbacks, or bonuses?
I mean, NPC is paying Conan 32 million simply to leave but his staff and crew get to split about a third of that amongst themselves. Repeat that kind of ratio among the other programs on television. Is it any wonder viewers are ending up with crap reality-tv shows (cheap labor) and relatively-cheap-to-produce news hours?

 

[0roo0roo]

got a bigger version?

 

[Dessert Tears]

I didn't see Bones last night, but I've noticed that with White Collar. Every time they're in that car, it's just an ad for Ford.

They also mentioned obstacle detection/automatic braking in an earlier episode.

Leverage plugs the Hyundai Genesis, including an episode sponsored for "limited commercial interruptions".

 

[StageLeft]

Leverage does like their Genesis. I think 24 did a season or so ago, too.

 

[Zap]

Later on in the show Sweets uses his iphone as a flashlight and says "I have other apps too, I can get song names..." and is cut-off. I presume on the next show they'll start talking about finance options. I find this weakens and whores the show. It's bad enough there are 17 minutes of commercials but now this.

Well, regarding this particular use of an iPhone, I've known two different people to have done the same exact thing - offer an iPhone up as a flashlight. Also, EVERYONE that I know who owns an iPhone seems to often talk about this or that app. Bones is just art imitating life.

 

[Ns1]

Net profits or gross profits? I would believe net profits. Production costs to press DVD's and provide packaging is about one dollar per disc. The rest of that goes to distribution and paying for the right to produce it. As much as gas has gone up, I doubt it occupies the other 15 dollars or so that make up the per disc price.

Wholesale cost is about $6/disk.

Fact of the matter is the current business model is catered towards paying the very few. Break the model, pay less for those few faces, pay less to the people above them, reduce the amount of random crap on the tube that's there to take up air time. I can guarantee a lot of that 80 million figure you quoted is going towards paying someone too much for doing too little.

Figure 30% goes to paying people (producers, actors, etc). Rest goes to actual production. Amount does not include costs related to distribution (freight, advertising, residuals, etc)


If you simply take the streaming model without regard for any other revenue stream, turning a profit isn't a problem. Equipment and operating costs come out to several cents per viewer for large distributions. The only deterrents are high ISP costs and copyright legislation.

You have no idea what you're talking about. Your idea only works for low budget "web 2.0" type productions (ie webisodes). They will never be enough to pay off big budget prime-time shows.


Now, can you explain how a show costs 80 million to produce without mentioning overpaying, kickbacks, or bonuses?

Money is paid only as a result of success. Show's don't get budgets of 80m w/o being successful, and there's no motivation for success like bonuses and kickbacks.

see responses in bold

 

[Dessert Tears]

Bones plugged the Sienna last week, riffing on its "Mommy Like" ad. Human Target used OnStar's voice-activated dialing.

 

[StageLeft]

Bones plugged the Sienna last week, riffing on its "Mommy Like" ad. Human Target used OnStar's voice-activated dialing.

Yeah she talked about how much room it had and its backup assist. It was f**king embarrassing to watch, actually. My wife and I both felt it humiliating on behalf of the show. Not an eye roll kind of embarrassment but like a http://www.utilikilts.com/ sort of embarrassment.

 

[Bignate603]

Bones plugged the Sienna last week, riffing on its "Mommy Like" ad. Human Target used OnStar's voice-activated dialing.

I saw that. The only way they'll make that minivan look cool is if they cram the female cast in the back while naked.

 

[CallMeJoe]

I saw that. The only way they'll make that minivan look cool is if they cram the female cast in the back while naked.

That's an episode that could set serious ratings records...

 

[CRXican]

rampant or blatant?

 

[ebaycj]

She needs to eat some freak'n meat. Her sister is much hotter.

They're both hot, and they're welcome to sandwich me anytime, anywhere.

 

[Dessert Tears]

Bones again, the Prius's lane detection system. Blatant, but it involved an actual plot point.

 

[Kelemvor]

I love Bones. Emily and David have awesome chemistry. And Emily has an awesome chest. I love the Halloween episode where she dressed up as Wonder Woman. Brought back lots of good memories of Lynda Carter.

 

[foghorn67]

The episode with Avatar tie in really annoyed me to the point of cringing. But it still had some funny scenes in it.

 

[foghorn67]

got a bigger version?

It's on FOX's website. My current wallpaper on my desktop.

 

[StageLeft]

Bones again, the Prius's lane detection system. Blatant, but it involved an actual plot point.

Was a damn nightmare to watch. I felt very awkward.

I'm compiling a list along with a rating of what a pimp the show is for given products:

24 - Hyundai Genesis
Rating: immodest

Human Target - Chevrolet Camaro
Rating: Shameful

Fringe - Ford Fusion
Rating: Marginally unacceptable (best rating possible in this category)

Bones - Toyota Sienna, Prius, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Rating (Tahoe Hybrid) - unmannerly
Rating (Toyota Sienna) - morally repugnant (worst possible rating)
Rating (Toyota Prius) - morally repugnant (worst possible rating)

--

IMO there is not a television show on TV so blatantly disrespectful of its viewers as Bones at this time with their inline advertising. Honest to God, last night watching the Prius on the DVR I came closer than I ever have to stopping it. When Angela commented on how good the lane feature was on the Prius I felt a hole inside grow bigger within my heart. It was so patronizing and offensive to me.

 

[dmcowen674]

I can never make up my mind if Bones is hot or not...sometimes I'm like...whoa..she's insanely hot...and then at other times I'm just like meh....

There are two hotties on that show, Angela and the Supervisor that was in Men in Black.

 

[ShawnD1]

You guys saying Bones is the worst advertising show ever obviously haven't been watching TV long enough. Back in the 90s, there was a TV series about the Dodge Viper. I'm not joking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viper_(TV_series)
Viper, TV series intro
Apparently it was only TV for 4 seasons and they made 78 episodes.

I remember watching this show a few times. It really wasn't that bad. It was about the same level of stupid as Pamela Anderson's show VIP.