Netflix buys original programming.

[Javora]

I happened to be reading some old tech sites while I'm out of work with a bad appendix and I came across this bit of news that Netflex bought the series House of Cards (http://www.neowin.net/news/netflix-gets-original-programming-buys-david-fincher-television-series). Check out this quote from the article:


The show was reportedly bought by Netflix for a cool $100 million with a two-season commitment of 26 episodes total. Airing, or streaming, and marketing its own original content would certainly prove a challenge to Netflix and test the company's abilities. The deal would allow the show to go straight to series without piloting, virtually unheard of in traditional television business, though MRC is known for having produced content that has gone straight to series.


Now you might wonder why this would affect a show like Farscape, I could explain it to you but this reply post from one of the article's readers says it just as well as I could:


I like the sound of this, maybe they would be interested in picking up shows which the major networks are not interested in but the fans are?
i.e. the usual ones that are bemoaned like stargate, firefly etc. Be great to see shows live on through a medium like this. I would even get a netflix account to support it.
I shall watch how this progresses with interest


I hope Brian Hanson is keeping an eye on this development. This could be a vehicle for a second Farscape and countless other good shows that was left in the dust. Question is how do we get these people's attentions? It's good to see you all are still around.

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

This would most definitely be good - Netflix would have more accurate viewing figures than the Nielsens are capable of and more direct advertising.

I would be worried though that a lot of fans seem to have left the community - compared to what it once was it's pretty quiet round here. Also, the amount of time that has elapsed between the PKW and now, as well as Farscape seemingly "wrapped up" (though the comics are providing a good continuity) would make me wonder whether it'd be justified.

But then frell me - it's more Farscape!

[Nicola]

This would be outstanding. I would even join Netflix just for this... if it was Farscape or Firefly.

[Grippy]

I know for sure my family and I would, that would be fantastic. :D However, I wonder if there's any of that old campaign fire left to work for something like that. A lot of people probably do think that things have "wrapped up", however, how much better than webisodes would that be?

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

I know for sure my family and I would, that would be fantastic. :D However, I wonder if there's any of that old campaign fire left to work for something like that. A lot of people probably do think that things have "wrapped up", however, how much better than webisodes would that be?

I know what you mean. If it weren't for the comics I probably wouldn't be here any more. After PKW there was a bit of a mass exodus.

That's the main problem with Farscape now I think - a lot of people have left the fold assuming everything's all over. How would we get them back?

But that's not the point of this topic. Recent fan campaigns have shown that viewers don't like how their shows are being treated (my most recent gripe is Human Target - excellent show that seem to be in the midst of being cancelled). Netflix would give a lot more accurate viewer figures and targeted adverts, everything we'd love.

[Javora]

I think at this point the ball is in Henson's court. And if Henson's smart he's going to wait and see what happens with the Netflex deal. Regardless it would have to be something new, I don't think it would be that easy to get the original group of actors back together. We can still dream though right??!? lol.

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

Well, the webisodes were always meant to be a follow-up to the comics. I imagine any future series would take the comics into account as they are canon.

And if you've been following the comics, you'll know that Farscape has changed a fair bit.

[Grippy]

Yeah, the ball is in Henson's court per se, but I guess I miss the days when there was something we could do. I just re-watched premiere, and it made me think of the days of Brascape: "This is Brascape One, we are free and flying." ;) I remember getting my little brother, who was like 13 or 14 at the time to write a letter to Bonnie Hammer, which was pretty funny, actually. :-D.

Anyone know if the next installment of the comic is out in paperback? The hardback ones are a bit steep for my budget :rolleyes:

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

But we can do something - it's just that Farscape isn't seen as very relevant any more and we don't have the numbers active in the community that we once did.

Maybe we need to look at ways to get people back to the FMD and re-invigorate some interest.

[quendi]

I have been re-watching the entire series of late on Netflix as research for a philosophy project I am working on. And while this return to Farscape has been quite emotional, it also has been highly enjoyable; perhaps even more so than the original experience now that I am coming at this from an academic point of view. Perhaps if more fans knew that the entire series is available for instant view on Netflix, we would see more traffic here? That seems too circular to be reliable but is ultimately what brought me here today.

[blue]

Netflix is restarting Arrested Development- new episodes that will be available first only on Netflix. The first thing I thought of, of course, was Farscape, but I know someone who works there, and was told that Netflix doesn't decide what shows to bring back, it only bids on existing projects that are at the stage that there are bidders for broadcast rights.

[zahncrelnik]

I would join Netflix for more Farscape. I do not think that Farscape is wrapping up, or packing up, or ending. There are still new 'Scapers all the time, and some of the fans who have "wandered away" would certainly return for new episodes of Farscape. Also, a lot of the original actors are more or less available.
We even had a newer 'Scaper (at this year's Farscape Con) suggest a way that Zhaan could return.

[Muaadeeb]

First time logging in since 2006. I was part of the original SaveFarscape.com then WatchFarscape.com back in the day.

I've been introducing my kids to Farscape and we are almost done with season 1 (watching on NetFlicks - but I do own every dvd ever made).

Farscape never looses is value. FS4Life.

[Clarsax]

It took Star Trek a long time to catch on too, but then look what happened...

[RustySlinky]

Yup, and even though Roddenberry is gone, it's still going strong. We'll see how long Star Wars stays around after Lucas too.

A couple of weeks ago, that guy in charge of hulu.com was on TV and getting interviewed: He said that hulu eventually wants more of its own exclusive programming too.