The Problem

[dom]

I think I've just worked out what the problem with Social Brew is: Rev3 have tried to put a show together based on advertiser demographic rather than audience demographic.

I'm sure most people who watch Revision 3 shows are on at least one social network - and it seems like some bright spark is trying to attract ad revenue from those sites by making a show about them. But I don't think any of us really need a show about social networks - we're more interested in using them than wasting 30 minutes a week watching other people use them.

They are a means to an end (to network, socially), not an end in themselves.

I say this as someone who builds social networks for a living. There is simply no reason for this show to exist.

[bani-banan]

I think you're on to something.

Sure, I don't think they could make a successful company on only having GoDaddy and NetFlix as "sponsors". But, producing shitty shows just to attract new advertisers is just a poor decision made by Louderback and Prager.

Rev3 is turning into rev2.

[dom]

Rev3 is turning into rev2.

I don't think I'd go that far. PopSiren, for instance, is a simple fun concept that works brilliantly. If they make great shows for the viewer, I'm sure the advertisers will follow. But you're right, GoDaddy and Netflix aren't going to sustain them forever.

The other thing I've noticed is that the studio is starting to look a little claustrophobic. The shows are starting to look a little "samey", and having the same hosts in the same studio talking about similar things isn't helping.

They need to do something outside the comfort zone of the studio. And personally, I'd really like to see them distribute more content produced by third parties.

(I recommend paying Felicia Day several million dollars for The Guild. But that's another story.)

But one thing's for sure - Social Brew just doesn't work.

[m3wse]

Same studio, different content would be fine. Problem is social brew is to simallar in techniques to popsiren. (different sets and cut between them sort of thing) however tekzilla and systm don't seem so simalar...

The problem is they aim to release a new show every quarter, the problem with this is they are releasing shows without ideas, resulting in weak ideas.

[secret-steve-crumbles]

Wow, I pretty much agree with everything in here.

I've been getting the "samey" vibe for a while now. I think that's brilliantly put too.

They never really replaced inDigital either which is a real bummer. If tekzilla is the replacement, then damn... just damn.

[mr-underachiever]

Rev3 is turning into rev2.

I'd say they turned into rev2 awhile ago.

As far as this show, it was okay. I'll give it a few episodes to find its groove. I don't see how this is in any way similar to PopSiren, though, except that the sets look alike and Moujan and Neha are there.

[ahronzombi]

I think I've just worked out what the problem with Social Brew is: Rev3 have tried to put a show together based on advertiser demographic rather than audience demographic.

I'm sure most people who watch Revision 3 shows are on at least one social network - and it seems like some bright spark is trying to attract ad revenue from those sites by making a show about them. But I don't think any of us really need a show about social networks - we're more interested in using them than wasting 30 minutes a week watching other people use them.

They are a means to an end (to network, socially), not an end in themselves.

I say this as someone who builds social networks for a living. There is simply no reason for this show to exist.

I agree. I personally see revision 3 as being way more money oriented than fan oriented than they used to be. I think if they make it all about the fans and content that the ads and ad revenue will work them selves out. content is key, while it hasnt become horrible by any means i definitely see a shift to wards money lately.

[ahronzombi]

Wow, I pretty much agree with everything in here.

I've been getting the "samey" vibe for a while now. I think that's brilliantly put too.

They never really replaced inDigital either which is a real bummer. If tekzilla is the replacement, then damn... just damn.

InDigital was open of the better shows with better hosts im my personal opinion. i was sad to see it go, but didn't think anyone else would agree

[ahronzombi]

Same studio, different content would be fine. Problem is social brew is to simallar in techniques to popsiren. (different sets and cut between them sort of thing) however tekzilla and systm don't seem so similar...

The problem is they aim to release a new show every quarter, the problem with this is they are releasing shows without ideas, resulting in weak ideas.
i think tek zilla and system show that revision 3 can improve if they want. when techzilla started i though it was a really bad rip off of DL.TV but i actually like it allot now, and think its definitely more of a Power user show than DL.TV ever was. And with system it just plain sucked when it came back with patrick. but lately it also has gotten much better like DL.Zilla , Opps i mean TekZilla

[bonsai]

I think DOM hit the nail on the head. This show definitely feels as if it was designed-by-demographic rather than to fill a entertainment/information need.

I don't begrudge Rev3 for trying to expand their viewer and advertising base, but it's definitely not working as-is.

[ryudo]

They need to do something outside the comfort zone of the studio. And personally, I'd really like to see them distribute more content produced by third parties.
.
*coughbringbackindigitalcough*

[aerodash84]

I gotta say this show wasn't horrible, but it felt like a show based on segments from popsiren. I think that with some segments on social networks in popsiren would be enough, which they have done as well as interviews with site creator. I'll see how it is in a few episodes.

I do enjoy TekZilla a lot, because it is more tips, tricks and more. InDigital was a good show, but I felt like I didn't get much from it.

[mikeyur]

You're definitely on the money, OP. I think it was also rushed, as I remember a quote from somewhere/someone saying that Rev3 wants to put out a new show every quarter -- I think this is what you get when you rush out a new show.

I commented on the other thread, but this is basically what I said:
'just because someone has a mac and an account to a couple social networks doesn't give them the proper credentials to host a show based on that'

[nextgenxbox]

*coughbringbackindigitalcough*

And CTRL+ALT+CHICKEN

[phoenixp3k]

Well they spent a lot of money on that new studio of theirs and I understand that they want to make it worth the investment. However I feel it's very important to have stuff coming from the outside (or third parties).

Imagine if TRS was shot on the studio green screen, you would feel it right away! It's the artifical feeling I don't like too much... I want outdoor segments, and if the show is called Social Brew I want more then social on the Internet, go outside and socialize, do polls on the street like in MobLogic!

What is very opbivious, is that first runs are terrible most of the time, and it takes a few weeks before the show becomes it's own. Remember at the begining of Tekzilla, some of these segments where slowly moved out and placed inside popSiren instead and resonnate much better there. System is DIY but is really different from popSiren's DIY projects (!).

With more shows, you have a chance to broaden your viewer ship. For me it started with Diggnation, after a few weeks I realized Revision3 had other shows, and slowly I began watching more and more of revision3. Today I have 10-TEN! Revision3 shows in my RSS feed, so if social brew can attrack one extra viewer, they could latch on popSiren and so forth.

Always keep in mind that everyone need a place to stay, clothing to put on their backs and food on their table. They're running the business of entertainment and information. It's cool to start a project for fun or for the fans, but eventually it's not that fun anymore, and you need other incentives to help you going on.

[mr-underachiever]

I want outdoor segments, and if the show is called Social Brew I want more then social on the Internet, go outside and socialize, do polls on the street like in MobLogic!

That's actually what Neha is going to be doing in future episodes.

As far as everything else, I think the big problem with the new studio is that they've been trying to consolidate almost all their shows into it (it's the reason InDigital and Infected were cancelled). And it gives me the impression that Rev3 is no longer trying to be "new media" but rather trying to emulate old media on a new media platform.

The whole beauty of IPTV was that a show could be made wherever and however. It didn't need to be shot in a studio or in one particular city.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the studio and how Rev3 has become more professional lately (as opposed to before when shows would just come out whenever). But InDigital wasn't shot in a studio and it was better produced than all of the other shows on their lineup. That's not a slight against the other shows, but InDigital really made me believe that IPTV could actually go somewhere, and that a show could be produced on the internet and look like something on TV.

Anyway, the point is, Rev3 needs to stop slaving itself to the studio (and San Francisco) just for the sake of having shows shot there.

[aerodash84]

Anyway, the point is, Rev3 needs to stop slaving itself to the studio (and San Francisco) just for the sake of having shows shot there.

I was going to say I think iFanboy is made in New York. Not sure, but thought I'd mention that.

[phoenixp3k]

I was going to say I think iFanboy is made in New York. Not sure, but thought I'd mention that.

Thats is a part of what a like, like The Totally Rad Show, Scam School and XLR8R TV seem to be shot elsewhere, and they're gathered under the Revision3 umbrella. I don't know why InDigital couldn't continue like it did, but monthly shows were too scarse. (I know about the move to SF)

The old media vs new media is a pretty interesting argument. It's hard to know to what extent Revision3 is a financial success. They have advertisers to help cut the costs associated with salaries and production, but I don't know how safe their position is. I'd like to see them as rich as Google, this way Moujan could afford real grillz for everyone!

[dom]

I don't know why InDigital couldn't continue like it did, but monthly shows were too scarse. (I know about the move to SF)

Rev3 is both a content producer and a distributor. It isn't always obvious, but some of the shows (e.g. TRS) are produced by third parties and simply distributed by Rev3.

InDigital was another such show - it was the intellectual property of Hahn Choi. Rightly or wrongly, he didn't want to move production to the new studio so the show was "replaced" by Tekzilla - which has now morphed into something else entirely.

I believe that Rev3 should be licensing more third party content like InDigital and TRS, but the possibility that shows can suddenly disappear probably goes hand in hand with that. For me, that's a risk I'm willing to take if it helps get some fresh ideas in.

[donoram]

Well they spent a lot of money on that new studio of theirs and I understand that they want to make it worth the investment. However I feel it's very important to have stuff coming from the outside (or third parties).

Imagine if TRS was shot on the studio green screen, you would feel it right away! It's the artifical feeling I don't like too much... I want outdoor segments, and if the show is called Social Brew I want more then social on the Internet, go outside and socialize, do polls on the street like in MobLogic!

What is very opbivious, is that first runs are terrible most of the time, and it takes a few weeks before the show becomes it's own. Remember at the begining of Tekzilla, some of these segments where slowly moved out and placed inside popSiren instead and resonnate much better there. System is DIY but is really different from popSiren's DIY projects (!).

With more shows, you have a chance to broaden your viewer ship. For me it started with Diggnation, after a few weeks I realized Revision3 had other shows, and slowly I began watching more and more of revision3. Today I have 10-TEN! Revision3 shows in my RSS feed, so if social brew can attrack one extra viewer, they could latch on popSiren and so forth.

Always keep in mind that everyone need a place to stay, clothing to put on their backs and food on their table. They're running the business of entertainment and information. It's cool to start a project for fun or for the fans, but eventually it's not that fun anymore, and you need other incentives to help you going on.

The soberest assessment I've heard in all of the threads about this new show. Seems like a few of us really do think they deserve a chance.

[radzack]

trs IS shot in front of a green screen....

[gornstar]

trs IS shot in front of a green screen....

Yeah, but not all of it. I think he's taking about the intros and segments of them at different events.

[cacogen]

I think I've just worked out what the problem with Social Brew is: Rev3 have tried to put a show together based on advertiser demographic rather than audience demographic...


I was about to post something similar (but less lucid, no doubt) prior to reading this.

I'm as interested in social networks as the next 34 year old male geek. The problem for me was that this show felt as if it were targeting pretty narrowly a 20-something female demographic. I'm sure Rev3 is anxious to offer that demo to their advertisers -- but you'll naturally get that group with this subject matter; you don't need to aim at them in quite such a stylistically heavy-handed, obvious, marketing-driven way. In doing so you'll drive away male geeks who I would suspect are, generally speaking, your bread-and-butter audience.

I'm not sure what could be done short of a major reconceptualizing to keep 20-something to 30-something males watching this. If Rev3 doesn't need that group, then please disregard this post.

[aaronsaund]

You are absolutely right. I don't think the majority of people want a show about social networks. We already use social networks, we don't need to know more about them. The show is too limited. Just give us a segment with social networks, not a whole show dedicated to them.

[jax1492]

i think the problem is or started with popsiren and then the shows after that ... they are trying to make shows to fit a certian group of people who for the most part don't watch shows online, the people i know who are into social networking are not geeks they use myspace or facebook because its easy and could care less about who the ceo is ... they would rather talk to their friends. sadly they have missed the boat on the last 3 new shows.

[jax1492]

I'd say they turned into rev2 awhile ago.

As far as this show, it was okay. I'll give it a few episodes to find its groove. I don't see how this is in any way similar to PopSiren, though, except that the sets look alike and Moujan and Neha are there.

thats why i liked about rev3 is that is was different, you right they are starting go backwards i guess rev2. they need more tech and less gimicks like how to make grills.