The debut of Games of Thrones has everyone talking not just about the show itself but about its home network, HBO… and in the U.K., it has lots of people talking about the new channel Sky Atlantic, which could well be called HBO UK. The talk about both the show and the networks has been both positive and negative — annoyance over apparent ploys to garner new subscribers rather than making the show available on demand, for instance, has been a major theme — but it does mean that almost everyone interested in Game of Thrones knows that the show is an HBO production and will air on HBO (or its international affiliates).
That’s not always the case these days. Between DVR, TV on DVD, and on-demand, and downloading, it’s often possible to be a big fan of a show and be unaware of what network airs it.
Reader RogerBW, who’s in the U.K., writes:
When I watch American TV, I have no idea whether the show was originally broadcast by ABC or CBS or whoever. Nor do I care; the networks have never had “personalities” as far as I’m concerned (except that if it’s on Fox and not a cop show it’s probably going to get cancelled). But the networks care desperately about getting the audience to sit in front of them all evening, with a straight run of similar-demographic shows.
So, at RogerBW’s suggestion, here’s today’s question:
Do you follow TV networks or TV shows (or both)?
(If you have a suggestion for a QOTD, feel free to email me. Responses to this QOTD sent by email will be ignored; please post your responses here.)
