As any student of media knows, birthing new media can be a tremendously fun, engaging and rewarding endeavor, but it’s also rarely a straight shot to success.
15 years ago we were posting magazine articles to the web; fast forward to today and it has morphed into blogs, Twitter and Facebook.
You’ve got to try a lot of different things to figure out what works. And the metrics for success also shift as the medium evolves. What’s right in the beginning often isn’t the best long-term solution.
We’ve had a number of great successes here at Revision3, including Diggnation, Tekzilla and The Totally Rad Show. But not everything pans out. Just as in the past, when we ended shows that just weren’t building audiences or driving revenue, we had to make changes. As you may have heard, today we had to make some tough staffing decisions as we ended the run of a few of our shows.
For our long-running Photoshop show Pixel Perfect, it’s the end of a show that’s done over a hundred episodes, and delivered essentially a graduate level course in graphic design and technique. For PopSiren and Internet Superstar, it’s the end of 2 shows that had great promise, but never really found their audience.
For two of the shows, we’re simply stopping our distribution agreement, but the shows will live on. You’ll still be able to watch Epic Fu, and Wine Library, both at their own sites, and through new and existing distribution partnerships. Epic Fu will be available on Revision3 through mid December, Wine Library ends its Revision3 run today. We remain huge fans of these two shows, even though they don’t fit our long-term plans at Revision3.
All past episodes of these shows, as well as all other shows no longer in production, will still be available for download from Revision3.com in our show archives.
Even though we’re sad to see these shows end on Revision3, in today’s economic climate it’s essential for us to focus on what we do best, and where the best opportunity for success lie.
We’re continuing to develop and invest in new properties. We launched seven new shows last month, for instance, on Revision3 Beta, and we’ve got high hopes for an expanded lineup there – and seeing some of that first crop graduate to Revision3.
We’ll be talking more about 2008 and plans for 2009 over the coming weeks. Until then, join me in thanking these show teams for bringing their insight and entertainment to Revision3, and wishing them well in their new efforts.
Tags: blog
This entry was posted on Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 11:18 am and is filed under Announcements, Shows. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I am very disappointed in the news out of the Rev3 offices today and would be lying if I didn’t say I am also curious about some of the choices.
Sarah/Martin/Jay (and everyone else)I wish you all the best of luck. I don’t think you need it, because as talented as you all are I suspect you will get back on your feet quickly. I am already looking forward to your next projects.
Jim - a good friend of mine is in management and has been in the position of having to let friends and long time employees go as well. I have seen the toll it takes on him, so I want to take a second and wish you well also.
To all of the above,
Go home, you have no friends.
Honestly, I agree completely with the shows selected to cut. I could barely make it through an episode of Internet Superstar, I guess I’m not a sucker for over-acting. I never got hooked on PopSiren and so am not bothered by it leaving.
Some of these comments are unbelievable. Revision3 has the numbers of these shows and obviously something wasn’t right if they had to cancel them. Just because you watched and enjoyed them doesn’t mean everybody else did.
I’m sure they had real legitimate reasons to cancel these shows, and frankly the only Rev3 shows I watch are Diggnation, TRS and the Digg Reel. Only occasionally do I watch Hak5. I would watch it more if it had higher production values.
I’m also surprised with all the hate around the Digg Reel. I’m a Digg user and find it very entertaining the hear Andrew’s spin on the stories. I honestly think Andrew is one of the more enjoyable hosts Revision3 employs. He looks natural as a host, not awkward like others.
I’m sorry to see that Popsiren got cut today! As others stated, I did actually like it better before the revamp but I still watched!
Wow. It really, really sucks that people lost their jobs over this. They are talented people, and I am sure they will land on their feet in due time. But really, people are commenting out of passion and not using common sense. The management of Rev3 is competent and knows where they are making money and where they are not. Also, Kevin Rose shows no bravado in this post because… well, he didn’t post this.
And Digg != Revision3. They get separate funding.
What ever happened to Seniority… The new guys suppost to get cut before the people who started it all and built the foundation…… Atleast, that’s how I was raised.
i agree. i’d take internet superstar over pixel perfect, xlr8r, scam school, fubar (or whatever the name is).
web drifter and internet superstar are two of the most original shows on the internet. at least they were before they were “revamped”. lame, rev3. lame.
AMFs Sarah Lane, Martin Sargent… Don’t let the door hit you in the ass. (or better yet let it).
You will NOT be missed….now if they Can Get Rid of ROGER..
Sarah and Martin git on my nerves. They did not have the on screen chemistry that Kevin adn Alex have or that of Alex, Jeff, and Dan on TRS. Hey I am no video gamer or comic book reader but I love watching TRS. Those guys really have an on screen chemistry that is fun to watch. I am a chick and find myself getting totally annoyed by most of the chicks on Rev3. The only one I find relevant, knowledgeable, and enjoyable to watch is Veronica on Tekzilla with Patrick. SHe actually knows her stuff and has something to say more than how pretty something is. Please hire more chicks like her.
Can’t wait to see what other shows you have up your sleeve! Keep it up Jim!
(sorry for my typos) I am an art teacher! haha
This is a good decision IMO. Martin never really interested me (to random) and Sarah was pretty, but not very unique. Epic fu was ok, but not interesting enough … not current enough. Not too excited with these R3betas though, nothing there that is better than what you let go. But keep trying. Tell Alex to not be so obnoxious and materialistic and perhaps I could stomach to watch TRS … as it is diggnation is a challenge to watch!
With all due respect Jim, I think the only way to save Revision3 is for you to resign. Not only would it be a huge cost-saving, but you clearly do not have an aptitude for this business.
Every bad decision you’ve made lately has been to reverse another bad decision you made previously. It’s time to go.
Dear Revision3 and audience,
I’m writing this not to flame bait regarding Revision 3 transitions, but in order to simply express opinion and reason why I recently stopped watching many of your podcasts. Rev3 once was a media host of creative, original shows. Webdrifter and PixelPerfect were such shows. I watched these shows plus more because they had an underground and independent feel to them. No longer was my media dominated by CEO’s, executives, and profit-driven demands.
This all changed after your purchase of a new studio. I see it in your shows. The strict coherence to McDonald-ized, utilitarian production values are evident. Every new episode is streamlined for production. Rev3 hosts read teleprompter and no longer vibrant and charming. Green screens are overused. Content is clearly developed for audience numbers. Shows are canceled for ‘economic’ reasons. We, the audience, know what’s going on here. Revision3 is turning into a podcast distribution giant like FOX and NBC. It’s only a matter of years until it is sold to a bigger media giant, stuffing the pockets of superwealthy peoples.
So what’s in my podcast client nowadays? Very few shows by Rev3. I’m going to be enjoying my other podcasts created by average-joe folks. I sure Rev3 distributes, not produce, forthcoming Rev3 Beta shows. And as far as I can tell, none of those shows are fresh, underground tech shows. Rev3 seems to be targeting the young college age, trendy generation of Macintosh users.
All hail the mighty podcasting corporation of the future, Revision3. She is destined to become a media superpower like FOX, NBC, and TBS.
For the abandoned Rev3 shows,
-Taidachi (Yes, I suck at writing. Sorry)
Thinking more on things…
If Rev3 distribute shows, capital purchase of the studio and equipment will be worthless. Either 1) sell the studio and distribute Rev3 beta podcasts or 2) Produce shows that last for only a year then disappears.
I’m not going to lambaste you guys for doing the logical thing in the midst of another tech crunch. Still — I’m definitely going to miss Martin.
I think the problem I had with Internet Superstar was that, as entertaining as it was, it lacked a central theme. Same with Pop Siren. Both shows seemed to use the same “variety show” equation of occasional interviews, and quirky stuff on the internet. I’ve never watched Pixel Perfect because I don’t use Photoshop that often, but I really, really enjoyed Epic Fu. I’m seriously sad to see it go — it was a nice, original, indie take on web culture.
I’m afraid of where this is going to take Revision 3 as a company, though. Isn’t the web about finding those niche audiences? Who cares if Internet Superstar pulls in 100 viewers — recognize how significant it is that 100 people are appreciating your content.
It seems like Rev3 is moving towards more “professional” programs that aren’t necessarily better. I started watching about a year and a half ago, back when Diggnation had a paid subscription — and I felt like I was part of this really unique audience.
I’m glad your viewership has grown, really. But maybe it’s time to pay a little bit more attention to your users, and a little less attention to your advertisers.
Bummer, man. PixelPerfect was one of the few consistently good shows on this network (and one of three I’ve watched consistently for the past year or so). Lame, lame, lame.
Good luck, Bert. Hope to see you podcasting again soon.
popSiren was a good show, but I lost interest in it. Same goes for Epic Fu. In truth with my schedule being filled with school work some shows had to kick the bucket.
As for PixelPerfect… well I use GIMP. Start a show with that instead.
Sarah Lane is a force of nature and gifted communicator of tech and pop culture. If a tech news oriented company like Revision3 can’t figure out how to utilize her and make money then you’ve already failed and might as well give up.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo! why do u have to cancel these shows?!?!?!?! I dont care if i have to watch an extra few minutes of ads, just dont cancel the shows… internet superstar was one of my favorites….
Just picked up a case of Becks the other day to help out Martin and the old shed but I guess that was for naught.
I do really wish some of these metrics were available to the public to see what was going on with Rev3, just network ratings are published out in the open. I understand why they don’t to non-advertisers but it makes some the changes sketchy. Martin and ISS I can understand. But Sarah Lane, Heather Frank and Hippie Glenn (even if he’s still on a freelane basis) were technical talent that clearly were tied to the shows. If Sarah is the executive producer, than who is getting the nod in her place?
I believe it was Arrington at TechCrunch who noted that alot of these startup companies are simply using the economy as an excuse to consolidate the direction of their companies. The idea being that if they fired people out in the open it would appear that the startup is struggling. I wonder how much of this is a business, or an inter-office dynamic these decisions are made on.
I’m sure we will get some leaks on Valleywag from Rev3 staff later on. Then again maybe it was just the numbers game.
I love PixelPerfect! I was teaching my son Photoshop using these videos. This really sucks. I am very disapointed and my son will be too. I can handle it, but it really sucks for my son since he will not be able to use this educational resource anymore. Thanks Revision3!
Will the video archives be left on Revision3 so we can still use them?
I agree with the decision. EXCEPT for pixel perfect. How can you live with yourself when PixelPerfect gets the axe and a trash like scam school lives on?
I can’t believe you guys. I realize that hard business decisions need to be made but Sarah Lane and Martin Sargent?! You have to be kidding. Web Drifter was one of your best shows. Thanks for ruining my week.
So Internet Superstar got cut. I have an idea let that show live on and cut Louderback instead problem solved.
O yeah forgot one thing
EAT A DICK LOUDERBACK!!!
Hey Look at that Rev3 pulled a G4. Hahaha
Wow it’s like reliving the day the Screensavers became Attack of the Show, except this time there is not even Attack of the Show. Big mistake getting rid of Sarah and Marty. Many of us watch because we are former TechTV fans, now they got rid of most of the TechTV people. I’d watch your back Norton! Sounds like you may be next!
Let’s be honest, Wine Library TV or what ever it was called.. NEVER belonged on Rev3. So Gary is an awesome self promoter who convinced Loudermilk after possibly a couple drinks and bong hits to distro the show.. big whoop.. YAWN!!!
Boooerns guys. It is sad to see these great talents leaving Rev3. I am especially crushed to know that hippy glenn will no longer be on Diggnation. I guess if you had to cut some people, it might as well be the ones with the least popular shows.
I did not watch any of the shows getting “the boot”. However, I do have to wonder about one in particular - Wine Library. Now, I don’t think it quite fit the audience here, but I’m not one to judge. You all probably have a much better idea of what your audience is than one guy. I must say though, after all that advertising and excitement that WLTV was coming to Rev 3 as a distribution partner, it surprises me it was dropped so quickly after becoming such.
Still, I saw something like this coming, with the economy the way it is. Not surprised by the general announcement by any means.
OMG…listen to you people WHINE!!! LOOOOSERS!! Get a freakin’ life, will ya?! It’s just a a couple of shows. Life goes on, you’ll be fine.
Morons…
@jackgh, Some of us have been watching these guys and gals for years now, even before Rev3 was around, its kinda like loosing family. I just hope they get jobs soon, and get back behind the camera! Sad to see wasted talent! Leo should pick them up!
wow, what a drag. Epic fu was the only reason that i even knew about Rev3. I guess you dont want to raise the bar. you just want to pander. not my cup of tea. I enjoy shows with a bit more brains than what you guys are aiming for. fuck you. i’m out. time to delete all my rev3 subscriptions. there’s no point in watching now.
also notice how the ones in charge of making the decisions are still going to be in charge. why is it always the little guy thrown out on his ass when the people in charge can’t handle their sh*t. If they cant find a way to make money off of brilliant shows like epic fu and pop siren, you have no business in this game. FAIL on you.
Pop Siren >>>> The Digg Reel. The Digg Reel is really not good, the humor is often juvenile and stupid on it.
That’s it. I’ve HAD it with your crappy network. Screw Diggnation. Sure, i used to watch it, but it’s nowhere near as interesting or infotaining as pS or IS. Who cares about Kevin and Alex spanking off over Rose’s so-2007 ATM?
Rev3 just lost a WHOLE lot of heart & soul. Don’t you dare touch Norton and Belmont - they’re the best you’ve got now. Which is great, but you’ve lost too much.
And seriously - how DARE you take off a show that was no doubt inspiring loads of talented young girls to do geeky techy screwy things? “Never found its audience”? What kind of insane, pissy street meth have you been smoking? How many of tomorrow’s young female visionaries did that show inspire? But you kept Diggnation so we could all watch Kevin and Alex fuck off and giggle like drunken morons on camera. Good one.
Fuck Rev3 and fuck you. May Sarah and Martin kick your soulless asses HARD in their next endeavors.
Wow. I am shocked and dismayed by the lack of tact, maturity, and manners of those of you leaving comments. Sure, I understand your disappointment. But the personal attacks against Jim Louderback and the vitriol against this site are unwarranted.
The industry, hell the country, is in dire times, if y’all haven’t noticed. Pull your heads out of the sand. Every VC in Menlo/Atherton/PA has been calling up their start-up CEOs in the past three weeks and saying “cut costs, NOW. Preserve funding and maybe we’ll let you survive.”
Rev3 had tough choices to make, but regardless of your personal viewing habits, I’m POSITIVE the cuts were made to the shows that were either delivering the worst results, or even worse had flatlined. This is a business. While I believe these guys have a passion for what they are doing, it’s not a hobby or charity.
So get over yourselves. Supply and demand at it’s best. And BTW, people like Jim Louderback are doing their best to make sure the media, in some form, survives. Again, it may have escaped your attention, but the mainstream media is DYING. I’ve worked with Jim tangentally back in his MSM days, and he has a reputation for being a good guy, among people I trust.
Journalists and PR people alike (I belong to the latter category) are fighting to survive a changing profession. Not everything is going to go how we want it to go, and in this new revolution people are going to get hurt and people are going to get left behind. Everything is being reinvented on the fly, meaning we’re trying new things that may or may not work. At least we’re trying.
Heck, I’m unemployed at the moment, so I’m certainly not speaking from some ivory tower. In the meantime, all you consumers want is FREE FREE FREE. You don’t want to pay for anything! So advertising is the savior of the media. Yet when ad dollars go down and things have to get cut, all you do it bitch and point fingers. Look in the mirror. Whose fault is it really? You can’t have it both ways!!
I’m really sorry you lost your shows (but seriously, if it upsets you so much that you have to be so downright ugly, you need a life).
So to everyone at Rev3, I’m sorry to see that you had to make some tough decisions. But I wish you the best of luck and success.
You guys keep new people like David Calkins and get rid of Lane and Sarge…thats crazy! you are getting rid of the people who were there in the old days with you guys. stupid mistake
I have to agree with scott88008
“Sarah Lane is a force of nature and gifted communicator of tech and pop culture. If a tech news oriented company like Revision3 can’t figure out how to utilize her and make money then you’ve already failed and might as well give up.”
Sure cancel the show if need be, but fire her? Fail. Goodbye.
Not so amazingly, few of the comments/complaints above are from Tekzilla and Systm viewers. I guess the true geeks understand economics!
These shows didn’t make it because the number of views/downloads weren’t there to support them, regardless of anyone’s personal feelings. If the viewers aren’t there, then the sponsors won’t be there either! I liked PixelPerfect, but I’m not going to complain because I understand businesses need to make logical decisions and the audience was just too narrow.
The G4/TechTV comparisons are not very fair because the shows being cut are more culture than tech in nature anyways. I see these cuts as more of a shift in focus back towards their tech roots, rather than in the G4 direction.
Go Patrick & Veronica, and a warm welcome to David Calkins!
DiggReel probably costs nothing to produce, and while the first few were weak, it has hit it’s stride. Martin and Sarah, while I love watching them and will miss them on Rev3, did a horrible job filling in for Bancroft. At least his banter is on point and relevant.
I can’t say I’ll miss any of the shows except for perhaps PixelPerfect, which I only tuned into occasionally when I need to do some Photoshop work.
you guys fucking suck……you took off two of the best shows you guys got
and you just throw this crap on us…this is so heart breaking, why must you guys keep doing this to us
what will it take to bring it back
I don’t watch Pixel Perfect, winetv, or internet superstar, but I have always watched popSiren. I love having Sarah Lane back doing reporting of websites and such. Please keep popSiren on, but move it back to the original format. As it stands right now, I skip over half the episode because of all the stupid band crap. It was better with Dr. Kiki and the original format!
Heres what I would do:
Cencel: Internet superstar, PopSiren, The Digg Reel, XLR8R, and Web Drifter. These shows were not worth while ventures although Popsiren could have been saved had it not been switched to the new format. I would then bring Revision3 back to it’s roots and produce shows that are informative like Gigaom because there is quality behind that show unlike these useless new ones. I would focus more on quality tech programming and not do nearly as many daily shows because they are not worth the time.
You also all need to STOP blaming Jim, it was probably not his choice for the layoffs and probly was just foced to carry out the Board’s orders. So the board should be getting the hate.
I love how so many of you think, because YOU watched the show, it was a hit and the BEST show on Earth and made Rev3 piles of money. I hate to tell you your sample size is too small. It is a bummer that shows were canceled and if it was what needed to happen to see rev3 continue to be successful so be it. I have to hope that Jim and the board know what they are doing or at least are acting on solid data, probably a bigger sample size than just one.
Yeah, I have to voice my support of the general consensus that this is a bad decision.
You keep useless crap like Digg Reel and XLR8R in production, but kill two refreshingly unique shows and fire two of the best hosts that you’ve ever had? If you’re such an expert at this kind of thing, Lauderbeck, why is it that you keep adding Rev3 beta shows and adding new pre-existing shows to your line-up?
This whole decision absolutely reeks of corporate BS.. you spend an ungodly amount of money on a new studio, you throw a ridiculously expensive launch party, Eat a Dick Lauderbeck basically gets paid in BMW’s, and Kevin and Alex go on one off-site (many international) field trip after another - yet, these hard times cause you to kill shows and fire their hosts? Hosts that are beloved carry-overs from the TechTV days, who have massive followings just by themselves?
I agree with what someone said above, that this is just another Lauderbeck fuck-up that is meant to try and fix an earlier Lauderbeck fuck-up.
I also throw in the sentiment about Kevin Rose being totally tactless about all this - he tells people Digg is hiring, he and his shrill-voiced drinking buddy go on field trips to other countries, and laughs it up on Twit two days ago WITH SARAH THERE (you can’t tell me he didn’t know about this shit the day before, when they recorded).. ugh.
I swear, I never thought I’d see the day when I had to declare Kevin Rose = Deuchebag.
Fortunately for me I only loose one show, unfortunately it happens to be my favorite in the line-up i download. I have to agree, let PixelPerfect go back, as WinelibraryTV and Epic Fu are doing. If they cant produce it, then at least it will really be for economic reasons. I also have to agree that some of the cancellations were the wrong shows. Consideration should have been given to XLR8T or what ever the hell it is, INternet Superstar was already failing, so letting it go was not so bad. Drop DiggReel. If I wanted to watch youtube, I’d go to youtube. Hak5… I have nothing to say for that. BAd mojo on you Rev3. Bad mojo. I hate to see this company turn into G4. That is unwatchable bullshit. Consider this strike 2 from me.
I can’t believe it… I’m so… I have no words to explain what I think and feel obout this. I’m from Spain and I have watched every episode of the show every week and will definitely miss it. This show was basically one of the reasons that I watch Revision3. Please dont do this…
I need say thanks to Bert for sharing his knowledge and experience with us.I hope Bert goes on to produce the show by himself.
Y aunque a partir de ahora probablemente nadie entienda lo que estoy poniendo, he de decir que para mi éste ha sido uno de los programas más instructivos de mi vida. Bert Monroy es un gran profesional que me ha ayudado a avanzar y desarrollar los conocimientos que tengo actualmente en la materia, me parece un error por parte de Revision3 el eliminar de esta manera un programa que tiene más seguidores de los que creen. Seguro que existen fórmulas para solucionarlo y continuar con el show. Es una pena que se termine de esta forma…
All you people who are whining like a bunch of 6 year old girls….what are you gonna do? Kill yourself because of this? Get over it already. Keep yourself busy with some internet porn or something. Or better yet, get off your computer and go meet some chicks.
You dear sirs have just fired the people that drew me here… And don’t even get me started on those revision3beta people. That WSYK kid makes me want to punch a baby. Punch a baby with brass knuckles on. Yeah, I went there.
This is a horrible decision.