New K-9 timeslot is nuts!

[23skidoo]

On a few discussion threads I, and others, have griped about the BBC airing Doctor Who at different time slots each week, often too early, really, for the type of show it is. Even though over here in Canada it doesn't make a lick of difference and our broadcaster has the show on during prime-time, I can still empathize with fellow fans in the UK who have to put up with that nonsense.

But it could be worse. Apparently the DisneyXD channel is moving the K-9 spinoff to Saturday mornings at ... wait for it ... 6 AM!

http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.com/2010/06/k-9-returns-to-disney-xd-in-new.html

Now that's just insane! Even factoring in the assumption of time-shifting, or the (erroneous) assumption that only little kids watch the show -- after all that's the assumption the BBC used to make (and arguably still makes) with DOCTOR WHO for heaven's sake -- 6 AM is nuts.

It's that it's a huge deal, since Channel Five is planning to air the show this fall anyway, apparently in a more accessible timeslot with major promotion (the series' official website seems to be treating this as the "real" debut of the show in the UK). Plus it's a sure bet it'll be on DVD eventually, but still, 6 AM ... wow!

Alex

 

[Cutter John]

Wow. I don't know about the UK, but in the US thats mostly the 'failed syndicated program' or '20 year old puppet show' timeslot.

 

[Stevil2001]

Now that's just insane! Even factoring in the assumption of time-shifting, or the (erroneous) assumption that only little kids watch the show -- after all that's the assumption the BBC used to make (and arguably still makes) with DOCTOR WHO for heaven's sake -- 6 AM is nuts.

The Saturday evening slot is actually a Fairly Big Deal. The reason Doctor Who gets bumped around a lot isn't because the BBC thinks only little kids watch it, but because the BBC thinks a lot of people watch it because it's on Saturday night. But a lot of different, varied things air on Saturdays, which is why the show gets bumped around. I don't see how you can argue that the BBC thinks its flagship drama is watched by only little kids.

 

[Rarewolf]

Certainly the only shows I used to want to watch (like Transformers) were on early in the morning in the UK. Mind you early in the morning was before 8am back then!

 

[Shazam!]

In fairness, as if the K-9 series is going to be any good.

 

[DimesDan]

On a few discussion threads I, and others, have griped about the BBC airing Doctor Who at different time slots each week, often too early, really, for the type of show it is. Even though over here in Canada it doesn't make a lick of difference and our broadcaster has the show on during prime-time, I can still empathize with fellow fans in the UK who have to put up with that nonsense.

Then why do you continue to harp on about it? I'm sure if you did a straw poll of all the Brits in here who have the ability to watch Who "live" and ask them if they cared about it being shifted week by week they wouldn't give a flying fuck about it, I certainly don't. Saturday evenings is a fluid affair, do you complain that Casualty or the National Lottery show are shifted around week-in, week-out. No you don't and that happens all year round because of one thing or another, so the BBC is not doing it out of some form neglect towards Who, it's more a case of showing it in the early evening means that more people from the core and desired demographic will watch it.

 

[Guy Gardener]

In fairness, as if the K-9 series is going to be any good.

I've been collecting it for my nieces and nephews, but the seven year old boy, who loves NuWho and SJA pulled me to one side a few months back and said "Could you please stop sending us K-9, you're really embarrassing both of us."

K9 makes SJA look like the Sopranos.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I think it's harder to grasp from an American POV because Saturday night TV is a dead zone and because most of our programs have a very locked-in start time.

Though going from that same POV, the 6AM timeslot is used sometimes by Cartoon Network to burn off underperforming shows. Sci-Fi showed Charlie Jade at like 2AM or something eventually as well as I recall.

 

[Cutter John]

I've been collecting it for my nieces and nephews, but the seven year old boy, who loves NuWho and SJA pulled me to one side a few months back and said "Could you please stop sending us K-9, you're really embarrassing both of us."

Wow. Harsh.

 

[26138]

I've been collecting it for my nieces and nephews, but the seven year old boy, who loves NuWho and SJA pulled me to one side a few months back and said "Could you please stop sending us K-9, you're really embarrassing both of us."

Wow. Harsh.

Even I'm embarrassed for watching it after reading that anecdote.