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TV Tonight answers the critics

You blogged.... I answered.

2013-08-24_2258If you filled out the Audience Inventory survey recently you would have seen the final question that invites Comments on TV Tonight itself.

There were 491 of these, and most were extremely complimentary (thanks!).

But naturally, there were some brickbats amongst the bouquets and so I’ve decided to try and respond to some of them here. While I haven’t been able to include them all, hopefully this helps clear up a few things.

Nobody’s perfect, but deep breath and here goes!

Cheers, David.

Love the site. The only thing I could possibly complain about is when David runs an ‘airdate’ story about a new show coming up (like next week or next month) but then doesn’t add it to the ‘Coming Soon’ list so I miss the start of the series. That really is my only complaint. Love the site otherwise. Thanks David!

DK: I try to add them, although I may wait until there are a few to add at once. I’m looking at revamping Coming Soon and hope to include key Foxtel shows as well. But not all of them, there are just too many!

Great website. Would like the comments section to run in reverse order e.g. oldest at top.

DK: I opted for the reverse some time ago to keep the recent conversation close to the post, and this mirrors the running order used by Twitter. It also means you don’t have to click through to other pages for long conversations. For instance the TV Lounge in reverse would be a nightmare with the newest comment several pages away.

TV Tonight is an amazing website and is always up to date and feeds my TV habit! PLEASE LAUNCH A NEW ZEALAND VERSION PLEASE!!!!!!

DK: Errrr, sorry. My slate is chocka staying on top of Aussie TV.

dvd release dates. tagging stories with the appropriate tages, I don’t know how many times I’ve searched a tag and found something unrelated tagged the same. eg, searching ACA and Better homes and gardens is tagged.

DK: I’m a broadcast based television blog, not a DVD blog sorry. Again, there’s too much to stay on top of with broadcast for me to get into DVD release dates. Everytime a show is mentioned it gets tagged. So yes, most stories have more than one show referenced and tagged (especially ratings yarns). Tagging will always help you find recent stories on any given show, which is especially handy when a show has been moved by pesky programmers.

it’s ok, but misses a lot of industry news

DK: Wow, ok. Some people are still under the misconception there is a TV Tonight “team.” Nope, it’s just me, updating the site 365 days a year.

Would love to occasionally see ratings for America

DK: I used to run these but decided US sites did it better.

Used to comment plenty of times but haven’t since you need an account to do so.

DK: User accounts are to try to lift the tone of comments and to give me a contact if I need to discuss your comment. You can still register with an anonymous email, but it’s pretty standard across the web. I accept that quantity of comments dropped when it was introduced. Short term pain for long term gain.

David doesn’t like people to disagree with him, he comes across as a bit of a smart ass.

DK: I disagree! Ok in all seriousness, I have no problem with people disagreeing but equally, I may well respond to the criticism. Differences of opinions are all fine and legit. The ones that bother me most are the ones that are based in non-truths and throw some offensive slur from behind an anonymous ID. It’s true I’m passionate about telly, but then I reckon a blog should always reflect the personality of the author. For better or worse some days!

Moderation can be a bit heavy handed sometimes, I understand modding comments that directly point to illegal material that makes sense. but killing all comments that allude to people watching via means that are not FTA or paytv is burying our heads in the sand it’s out there & needs discussion on what it means for the industry. DNS services & IPTV streaming is getting more popular *talking* about it is not illegal. But you’re a one man band and do a remarkable Job so kudos & thanks 🙂

DK: Trust me, moderation is no fun and there’s nothing I like more than approving a comment and not being forced to have to decide if it is acceptable…. but it comes with the territory. I’ve written a number of stories (including in the last month) about piracy, IPTV, and alternative methods -including how to view US shows legally. Piracy is a legitimate industry issue, discussing it is fine. However, advocating it isn’t, because it’s still illegal and because I could not bring you all the stories and interviews if networks viewed the site as being a channel for piracy. So the moderation comes down to how you phrase it on a case by case basis. Be strategic about wording, or just say you viewed a show “by other means” and I’ll presume you just had a US holiday!

There don’t seem to be as many updates as in the past. Is this because you are now more ”commercial’, or just too busy?

DK: Averages about 18 stories a day. Between these I juggle set visits, launches, interstate trips, interviews, ratings, radio interviews, journalist questions, comments moderation, site development / advertising -oh and something called watching TV! Site ads avoid the subscription and paywall models others use.

Double check your posts before you post, often silly spelling mistakes make it through

DK: Sirry!

Stop going on hiatus! I miss you, I ask all the time 🙂

DK: All being well Hiatus is mid-year and end of year, both to recharge the batteries. Some people actually tell me off for filing on Hiatus. Gawd.

Great site, more reviews please.

DK: I’m mindful that I am so busy filing News that Reviews sometimes get a bit overlooked. It’s also tricky if I have filed a review elsewhere, such as with Fairfax. I would never want 2 reviews of 1 show out there.

I enjoy reading TV Tonight. Particularly I generally visit once or more a day to read and find out the ratings from the nights before. If there would be one suggestion, I would hope with the ratings that you guys don’t just supply the top 20 free to air shows, but also the extended version of say top 50 shows. That would make me happy and want to visit more and more often. Thanks 🙂

DK: All questions regarding ratings get back to what OzTAM allows, which is Top 20. The format that is also supplied to me doesn’t fit well with iPhone mobile display. You’re better off switching to Desktop version (scroll to the bottom of Mobile display). Sorry, my hands are tied.

I find a lot of TV Tonights articles very petty on topics that no one really cares about. The genuine level of review they do give shows, leaves me wondering whether they actually watch the shows, rather they just get bogged down in the ratings as opposed to forming their own opinion on a show and whether or not they actually ‘enjoyed’ it. Whilst TV tonight is often keen to have a pop at the TV productions companies if they make flops etc. it never critisies channel rescheduling & late starts.

DK: Wow I never criticise rescheduling and late starts? I should show that to some Programmers! To put your mind at ease, yes I’ve watched every show in Reviews. But it is a blog, a sense of humour and snark is important as an alternative to traditional media. Some stories are very serious. Some are deliberately whimsical. I wouldn’t do this site if I couldn’t include some humour. But while they all run in the same verticals hopefully the tone helps you discern which is which?

Too much reality TV talk.

DK: Highest rating shows, but I try not to let it overwhelm. Networks alert me to every person booted from every reality show, but it doesn’t mean I will file it.

David Knox is good at what he does. He could perhaps answer questions a little more with some answer.

DK: I do what I can. Some days are so busy I may have forgotten to come back to you with an answer.

Some of the comments posted really highlight the bad aspects of the internet. They are often very nesty and negetive. Otherwise, a fine job by Mr Knox.

DK: People get passionate about shows / networks and their anonymity can bring out the worst. I’ve approved thousands of comments that make me personally cringe, but the bottom line is “Is this a fair critical response to what is on the screen?”

The website is mediocre at best.

DK: Okaaaaaaay…..!

More commets on where & when shows a re-appearing. ie sacked from 9 & moved to GEM

DK: Use the tagging system to help you see programming moves in case you have missed them. Nine is no longer sending me Amendments so I may miss some.

Comments policies are way too rigid, we don’t have enough leeway for our dislike of people!

DK: You can dislike any personality and their performance, say they are boring, or question their credibility as a critical review. But it’s not a free-for-all to become Defamatory or to attack someone for their appearance, gender, age etc. Easiest rule of thumb is to criticise the performance rather than get into personal stuff. Remember you’re doing it from an anonymous position, so be fair.

Sometimes the articles just paraphrase media stories in other publications, especially The Australian. This is annoying.

DK: The site has always had a mix of original and aggregated content and it’s been working well for me. I don’t plan on changing anytime soon.

There were also hundreds of compliments. Forgive me for letting them have the last word!

This is my 7th year on here now still one the best tv blogs website in the world no one could be as great as the amount of work you do on here you should be very proud.

Just the best blog around…keeps me constantly informed…all good…no GREAT!

Thanks for all your hard work,David. It’s appreciated.

Where would we all be without this site! You do an amazing job David 🙂

Brilliant tv news/entertainment website. Rather hear about the news on this website than the entertainment reporters/news on the morning programs

Love your site, keeps me in the loop and covers topics that are really not covered anywhere else. I hope the networks take note!

best site for tv news on the web

Best Blog on the Net

I love TV Tonight! Its usually the first thing I check in the morning on twitter for TV and entertainment news
and I love the detailed posts and interviews eg the state by state filming locations.

Fantastic Website, great at posting current content and ratings etc… 5 stars!

Change nothing.

A mine of information

Best. TV. Site. EVER!

Always enjoy listening to segment on RN Breakfast on Tuesdays to hear what is worth watching and avoiding!

An essential service. Can’t imagine consuming TV in Australia without it.

Always the first to report, always classy, never controversial – love it

A blog that has no overt bias to the commercial broadcasters and is comprehensive.

Continuing a great job, David.

Love the news and articles. The comments by enthusiastic bloggers are usually interesting

Seems to be the ONLY place to find out what is happening on TV

Great site has become the first site i visit each day

Love TV tonight, you do an awesome job for one person David, always impartial and factually driven. Thank you.

David I listened to you first on Joy FM, you rule!

A five star website that is always balanced in its opinions, recommendations and reviews and provides a comprehensive wrap of all television issues. As a frequent visitor to the website for many years now, I whole-heartedly appreciate the effort that goes into maintaining this website.

You are up there with Shaun the Sheep.

25 Responses

  1. Thanks for your annual surveys, giving us a say on Australian TV. I eagerly participate in each one. And as I wrote in my survey response, I have nothing but admiration for how one person can do all this! I hope you’re making a comfortable living out of it David 🙂

  2. My only negative comment is that you clearly work too hard. I can see exactly how many hours you work and that is: night and day. I think you should have a good hiatus and I don’t think you should post during this break time because you are not really switching off. It would be good for you and it wouldn’t hurt your readers if they didn’t get a post for a couple of weeks. And call me crazy but get yourself some more ads on your blog and you could actually even pay someone to help you with this gargantuan task. Other than that: Good job.

  3. Best Australian TV site on the net, hands down. No other blog I’ve seen comes close to this one. Keep up the fantastic work, I am in total awe that it is done by a team of one solitary person.

  4. David, you really are up there with Shaun the Sheep.

    I’d also like to thank all my fellow readers who post answers to my questions and those who are here in the spirit in which David intends. Long may we meet here!

  5. David I didn’t do the survey, sorry, but want to add my voice to the appreciation chorus – I too have been coming here since hearing you on Joy and can’t believe how much work you put in for us. Thank you! My favourite blog by a country mile.

    Genius pic, too.

  6. I have been in Europe for the last six weeks and as soon as I get my wifi access I go into tvtonight to see what’s happening. I am currently in Italy and even on the other side of the world tvtonight.com.au is part of my every day life! Please keep up the good work and never let it end.

  7. @david – I love your blog! I visit about 3 times a day and read everything that’s written. I find it fun, interesting and informative. One thing that would be great if you could do (and not sure if you have before) is write a post about your typical day and include how you review TV shows – is it like a wine critic tastes wine differently to the average punter? I would also be interested to know if you watch any TV as is scheduled or if you only watch prerecorded or preview tapes. Your job is so different to the vast majority of people so it would be great to read how you approach it. Also, do you watch any TV that you really dislike but feel you must watch for your role? Etc, etc!

  8. @muscledude2 – yes, some of the comments were very odd! Clearly don’t visit the site very often or understand its a one man band.

    @nevothirty – you can go to this site for Aussie DVD release dates. I use it and it’s very good, it is not aligned with any particular distributor. dvdsreleasedates.com/

  9. Thanks for the photo! My fave so far! Plus a fair response to the criticism!
    I still love the site and wouldn’t know half of what I do without you!

  10. David forget about the critics, this website is honestly the Best Website! I really mean it!
    At times funny, cheeky, entertaining and great stories to read. Keep up the Great Work! Cheers!

  11. Don’t take any of it to heart DK…remember…other peoples opinions…are just that…their opinions…not who you are!.
    I enjoy the site…just as it is…took me a bit to get use to the new one..*G*….and I have had comments knocked back…no biggy.

  12. Fantastic work David. My one gripe that I didn’t add in the survey: You need to be able to reply to comments, like Media Spy does. Otherwise, who knows I’d someone has replied to your message? I understand that it is a response to the story and not for discussing stuff too much, but think this should be included. Good work.

  13. I commented about DVD release dates, seeing as I visit your site daily and rarely visit a DVD store website, I thought It would be a good idea for you to add a DVD release date, maybe when you’re doing a story on a particular show you could add at the bottom when its going to be released on DVD or even mention that it is out on DVD.

  14. I’m kinda surprised at some of the criticism.I like this site exactly as it is. I stumbled on to this site in recent times and I too wonder how I got by. So keep up the good work!

  15. Love this site, and appreciate the amount of work required to run it. A big Thanks!
    The only (very small) improvement I’d like to see is an extra choice of answer in your polls.
    The extra option would be “Couldn’t give a *&^%” or something similar!
    I love doing polls, but often have not watched, or would never watch, the show in question!
    e.g. any reality rubbish
    Always disappointed when I can’t contribute!

  16. I only found this site about a year ago, and now wonder how I ever got on without it. I used to find out about shows by accident, since TV Week is pretty useless and is always out of date especially when program changes are last minute. I only really buy it now for the articles rather than the TV guide in it.

  17. Good work David. RE: Ratings. I figured thats why you only show the top 20 now. I think there should be a section dedicated to the greatest television series on the planet, Survivor 😛

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