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.
Haha, and judging by all the above comments you now have a lot of dicks on your plate Jim.
This is unbelievable. You just canceled the only two shows that I come to Rev3 for: Internet Superstar and Wine Library TV. WLTV I can get elsewhere, of course, but Martin and Jay will be sorely missed.
For me there is no longer a reason to come here DAILY as I have been doing for many months now. To me, your most popular show (I believe) is just a couple of clowns sitting on a couch, drinking beer and reading news stories from another website. I would rather do the drinking and reading myself, thank you very much.
Not sure what else you are hanging your hat on but I see nothing else here for me.
Im not sure if this has been suggested before, and i know it may not be popular with a lot of you, but i would be happy to pay a small (eg £5-£10 per month) charge to watch revision 3 programming (obviously this would depend on the quality of the programing, but im sure this fee would help make quality shows).
Cuts? Damn, well, don’t worry Jim, you’re entire team is voting for Obama. Once he gets in and raises REV3’s taxes, I’m sure that will help you guys hire more!
I’m so sick of the people who keep talking about how stupid we are for liking our shows and saying things like “It’s what had to be done to keep revision3 alive and successful”
And talking about “Business”
You see when I first found Revision3… You may not have known this how since it isn’t like it now, but Revision3 was not quite a “Business” like it is today.. It was more a “home” for a different types of shows that you just couldn’t find on the television…
It didn’t matter if you had 100 viewers or a million.. Back then it wasn’t all about the advertisers.. And it is the switch that hurts me the most. It was a place to find all your favorite TechTv personalities. Well, now most of them are gone. And the “home” has turned into a “business” … Anyone who has been watching shows on Revision3 less than a year and a half, would not understand what I am talking about and therefore won’t care.. But everyone who has been watching for 2 or more years, atleast understands the pain I am in seeing this once great site turn into another corporation.
FARLANDER: YOU ARE DUMB. PURE. SIMPLE. FACT.
Kevin Rose does not RUN REV3. He has nothing to do with the finances, numbers, downloads nor any business aspect. He is on the board and was informed of the layoffs the DAY OF. He wouldnt LIE ON TWIT about recording DIGG REEL if he knew is FRIEND OF X Years was going to be fired. You are a pessimistic dumb ass so grow up. Louderback made the decision from the numbers he looked at, he doesn’t have a grudge against sarah lane and martin. Obviously the shows were performing lower than the shit DIGG REEL and such, or he would have kept them. Its common business practice. Yes it sucks, yes I wish the good shows could stay even if they are hemorrhaging money, but they cant. I honestly find it hard to believe that Xlr8ter and Digg Reel get better numbers but who the hell knows. Everyone wants there show for free but the minute it gets shut down because it has no revenue or viewship enough to keep it afloat you whine and bitch. Be upset that talent like sarah and martin got fired, but dont act like louderback is a devil or that Kevin Rose made him do it. Its a business, the economy is shit, life sucks. Have a good day.
Sad. Just sad. Sarah and Martin work well together. Don’t let these guys go. Create a new show for them, something like a combination of their now canceled shows.
Please don’t blame the economy.
You are canceling shows I watch all the time. I hope you have something other than the beta shows coming down the line.
And Firestone, I have been a viewer since day 1 of rev3…I understand what your saying. I tried using that argument somewhere else on the boards but people didnt buy it. I dont see why they cant revert to being a home for the shows rather than a huge studio business.
Thanks BRET… Atleast someone else atleast understands what I am saying.
Deja vu all over again, first TechTV, now here goes Pixelperfect. For me that pretty much only leaves Techzilla here. Bad choices Rev3, and in addition to the financial crunch managed to make me feel even more ill inside. Thanks a lot.
Some of us not only depend on Bert Monroy to teach us, but know him as the guru of all things Photoshop. It’s as much Rev3’s loss as yours. Far as I’m concerned he fit in fine here, and I hope he moves on to bigger and better things, but more importantly that he returns to teach his devoted students again.
In the words of Martin Sargent: “Eat a dick Louderback!”
This is very sad.
To be honest, why the hell are they still calling this Revision3, with Sarah and Martin gone?
This is more like G3… or even better, G4. Keep up your “good” work, Jim, for canceling the shows I actually watched.
This is bull shit this is gonna be g4 all over again all i can say is Eat a dick Louderback! I quit watching this shit as of now i hope this douche gets canned. I bet leo gives sarah and marty a job.
This sucks you guys, I feel really bad for Sarah and Martin.
Honestly, this is what I’d expect from G4.
I don’t understand why you would cancel these shows.
One more thing: If someone buys from GoDaddy, they’re gonna have to use ONE code. Not the 3, 4 or 5 codes of all the different shows he watches. Just because code counts are low, dont can the shows. Base it on views+downloads. Although unlinkely, I’d love to see Internet Superstar and PopSiren back. Also, don’t cancel Digg Reel, it’s perfect for watching while on the bus ride home.
hmmm…..yeah!!! that seems about right. You are not keeping shows that “HELP” the viewer, like photoshop. but you are keeping “The Cigarette Eater” of scam school? Hmmm…yeah i always wondered what a “Cigarette” Taste Like.
I must say I am a little disappointed over the changes that have been made. Only for one reason though - Pixel Perfect. The rest of the shows I watched only for a little time then deleted.
People have to remember that sponsors pay for the network to function. All this programming is free. I kinda expected Pixel Perfect to be dropped once I noticed that his sponsors were not changing at all.
These shows are being constantly tuned to the viewers demands. A majority of people on the internet do not want to learn how to use photoshop but rather learn a magic trick. I guess they are going after their largest viewer markets.
All-in-all I’m a little sad to see Martin leaving but every show that he had I stopped watching for some reason or another. I hope that the newer shows that are going to be pumped will properly replace that hole in their programming. In the end … it’s FREE.
This is ridiculous. Popsiren, wine library, and the humor of Martin Sargent were the only reasons that I still visited revision3. Way to show that you guys are as scummy as every other video network out there. I won’t be visiting revision3 any longer.
Well then, rev3 is off my bookmarks.
Internet superstar was the reason I visited rev3 daily.
First of all I’d like to say smart move Jim. I’d like to add to that smart move by saying this, axe all the other shows except Diggnation, TRS, and Tekzilla. So get rid of Digg Reel, Hak 5, iFanboy, Scam School (This shows kinda lame), Systm, just keep three. Internet Superstar was like a bad joke I wanted to see disappear, good riddens, PopSiren? lame show this sites mostly guys I bet, and PixelPerfect meh sometimes useful.
Then add Revision3Beta to the lineup which probably doesn’t cost you anything or much. And voila, probably what you’re already thinking A SMART MOVE.
Great work Jim and I look forward to future e-mails I sent to you and your very prompt and thoughtful responses.
To Number_01
Dear God!!! I hope that was sarcastic.
Wait… what about webdrifter?
This is the worst news ever! I can’t believe you’re canceling PopSiren and Internet Superstar! Those two shows were awesome! Much better than some of the other crap on this site… As Martin once said, “EAT A DICK LOUDERBACK!”.
Well like so many others I am shocked. PixelPerfect is one of my all-time favorites. I hope you either let it go back to PixelCorps and/or release a DVD version of the episodes already filmed, because this has long-term value.
WLTV I subscribed to but never watched because though Gary V is awesome he’s just too much for me to handle on a regular basis. I couldn’t stand EpicFu, so I don’t care about that.
PopSiren is the other one I’ll really miss, though I’ve been bummed out about Web Drifter for a while, and was trying to give Internet Superstar a chance after Gator left. I hated Gator. Martin is best when he’s giving his own satire and he should be given another talk show-style program, maybe on the Twit network, where he’s interviewing people and commenting on current events.
Back to PopSiren, I think they should have gotten rid of Heather & her music segments, as they brought the show to a screeching halt and I always skipped them. Love Moujan’s wacky segments after the format change, and As much as Sarah Lane bugs me from time to time, I was really getting into the show overall (minus the music segments). The daily bites were ones I watched much more often than the Tekzilla dailies, and they too will be much missed. I hope you get Moujan Z a good wacky program to host for herself. Even just a short-format, bite-sized program would be fantastic. I hated her recycled crafting before the PS format change, but her goofy history is too good to lose!
Hippy Glen?????????
Martin?
Jay?
WTF??????
FirestoneX in reply #155 summed it up perfectly.
Unfortunately, R3 is now committed to paying for the studio.
Note to self: don’t tell boss to “eat a dick” or your show will be canceled.
Regardless of any economical situation.
SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS:
Why not atleast give the hosts of the show a final goodbye episode…
If the firing wasn’t personal.. Then why not let them go out with a bang???
Seems fishy to me.
OMG I GOT BANNED!!!
Just for having this signature….
Now, who will help me stuff Jim Louderback full of candy, hang him from the ceiling, and start beating him with sticks… Come on, lets go!!!!
Nothing personal Jim.. It’s just business. ….
Come on guys… Take a joke.
W
Well, looks like I won’t be posting for a wail after I close this window…. They also said something about spaming posts… I put a few copies of something important into DIFFERENT forums and it’s spamin? I got a letter telling me to please stop. I even said that I wasn’t going to write anymore… 10 minutes later… Banned. WTF.
I guess telling someone to “Eat a dick” is alright.. But talking about making someone a pinata is too offensive???
very disappointed
Martin, Jay and Internet Superstar are/were sine of the best things on Revision3. I do watch Tekzilla and Systm, but c’mon! Does everything have to be geek tech masturbation talk?
You are making a big mistake taking away Internet Superstar.
But least promise us that Martin will be back in some other format on Revision3 and maybe we’ll forgive you…probably not, but maybe.
I’m very disappointed in Revision3 right now! Popsiren and PixelPerfect are great shows. Here is my problem with your network. You get rid of really good people. IE Sarah Lane. She was great to watch, very funny and super cool. Now the whole pop siren was kinda dumb, but the revision3 inside deal, where she would take us on tours and show us things was really cool.
As of today I will be unsubscribing from anything that REV3 Makes from itunes and I will be blocking the website from my large company’s network. I will not tell you which collage I work for, but I will I am lead IT management and I can do these things, and over just the last 5 days I have seen over 10,000 hits to your website. Those will be gone and I am redirecting rev to sarah lanes page so that everyone know about this bunch of crap.
In The words of the great Martin Sargent.. EAT D* Louderback.
indeed, eat a dck louderback! no warning this time or no promise of new shows from martin. im truely disapointed.
Wow. Louderback really fucked it up this time. Don’t know how to leave anything good alone, do you? Now here’s a thought to ponder: perhaps the FIRER should be FIRED. Then there wouldn’t be mindless firing of people who don’t deserve it and cancellation of rather entertaining shows. And you say it’s all about economic downturn. Yeah. Really. Economic downturn, my ass.
Well its Thursday and although I knew Pop Siren got canceled earlier in the week the fact that it’s Thursday and there is no new episode really upsets me. It really just hit me that there is no more Sarah Lane. The only show I watch on Rev3 now is Diggnation…only because Kevin is hot & funny. Is it really worth coming here to watch one show? I want Sarah back. Rev3 you suck.
wow, interesting, i just got into pop….never a watcher, but now i was….watched internet superstar…..at least on mondays….just seems like a weird choice….its the same concept behind canceling arrested development and good shows on tv….because people just dont understand that HUGE rating=low profits……..economy has nothing to do with it…..what a cope out.
Whoa! You are killing PopSiren? This show was my absolute favorite. :(((
On Revision3 only PopSiren and EpicFu are unique and interesting. Best mix of online pop culture ever.
There may be shows which appeal to (young) male techies, but PopSiren and EpicFu have the potential to get the new non-technical internet generation, the so called “digital natives”. (Whoever came up with this “digital native” crap has to be drowned)
If anybody asked me, what is different in this generation I showed PopSiren and EpicFu to get an idea about non-mainstream pop culture and media.
What a pity. I actually liked PopSiren a little bit better than EpicFu.
I have been a longtime viewer of all the Rev3 Shows and was thrilled when talent like Sarah Lane came on board. That kept me coming back, Also Martin Sargent was fabulous as well, now that both are gone I will be as well, Good Luck Revision 3 or should I say Fox (rev 3). Is it really worth it to only watch Diggnation, one show.. I think not. Maybe G4’s disection of Tech TV was not all their fault, wasn’t Louderback there as well ? Rev3 = G4 .. Think about it.
YOU CAN’T CUT BACK ON FUNDING! YOU WILL REGRET THIS!!!
So many of your shows focus on mostly American affairs, and it is not uncommon to find the same news covered several times on different shows (diggnation, diggreel, popsiren, epic-fu). Please make Revision 3 even better by tailoring programming to an international audience. Sad to see these shows go. Keep up the good work. A UK Revision3 fan.
after finally doing some investigating i am now removing rev3 from my home page and the only thing im going to watch is totally rad show and diggnation from other sources
and to think i used to donate money monthly to this place. cant believe they fired martin and jay. wtf.
btw there’s only one good show on the beta so i hope that isnt your trump card.
romanma00 you almost got it. most of these people are castaways from ziff davis. you know the ones who USED to put out good computer magazines until they got caught with their pants down by botching the popularity of the net at the start by calling it a sensation as though it would be a fad. patrick norton is talented at…. tech. most of the rest of these guys and women shouldnt be on screen for any reason except to be doing tech ONLY stuff. roger chang is cool but he is not talented. he is an excellent tech person though. I dont think this format will ever be successful until someone with deep pockets decides to be an ‘angel’ and recruits some tech savvy TALENTED on screen people and allows them the time to do their thing. stop whining about sarah lane. she isnt talented either.
Well Rev3, I knew you well. Getting rid of Wine Library and other shows is a mistake and probably going to hurt you in the long run. Watched your Beta’s…no stars in there, maybe just cheaper to produce and who will watch, ah, no one but their mothers. What next Scam School? Geez. You guys just lost a avid fan. Good Bye.
Scam school sucks. I think the host might be a cool dude, but the show stinks. XLR8TR or whatever sucks. It could have been cool but all you show is a bunch of drugged out weirdos that 14 people in the world have even heard of. You canceled Web Drifter a while ago and I was extremely pissed off about that. The Rev3Beta thing is a joke. Nothing on it is worth anything but that walt guys show. And even it won’t “Reach their markets”. You have a few good shows right now and you just cut it in half. Shame on you.
I read Kevin’s blog and he said he was sad to hear the news. Of course he is one of the founders, but he has no say in most of this. Jim is the one who is the ring leader of the circus. I am so pissed right now I am boycotting revision3 for a while. See what that does for business. Nothing. But apparently you guys see it the right way too. Everything is futile. The end of things will come to a head anyways. Especially when you have big dollar CEOs and shallow pocket books for true content.
Sponsorship brings money. Not audience.
Re-evaluate some of your current “hit shows”…; for example, diggnation is starting to feel really awkward to watch with all of the sponsors taking over as content.
Don’t be G4, revision3.
Martin sucks, he’s like the high school bully who always picked on everyone. I never could stand him, he’s so annoying.
Revision3,
PLEASE get Bert Monroy back! His show is top quality and definately top 3 or even 1 on revision3.com
Bert your show pixel perfect is excellent in rich usable content and its fun. I will (am already) miss you and the show PixelPerfect. I have enjoyed every episode and have recommended the show to many of my friends.
If there is a conflict between REVISION3 and Bert I really hope revision3 will knock off any unnecessary restrictions or requirements to get Bert back! Bert is excellent for this show and the show is a vital staple for revision3.
Compared to a number of shows on revision3, a number of the others are content low and attitude stupid. Bert Monroy’s show is content rich and a joy to watch and put into practice.
Pixel Perfect is one show keeping revision3 from going to trash shows of just teenage emoton.
REVISION3 you are making a mistake not to keep Bert Monroy’s show Pixel Perfect.
Sincerely,
Andre L. Noel
12-4-2008
PS: Please be nice to Bert and try to get him back.