HBO looking for feedback on "Carnivale"

[kechara420]

http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA340272&display=Breaking+News


HBO on Carnivale: Survey Says …


By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 12/5/2003 4:36:00 PM

Looking for viewer feedback on Carnivale but denying that the results will seal the show’s fate, Home Box Office is sending out a survey to some subscribers asking what they liked -- and disliked -- about the series, which had a good-vs.-evil story line set during the Depression.

The survey, available online, asks subscribers to rate the show -- which aired its finale Nov. 30 -- on a scale of one to five, from poor to excellent. Survey takers are also asked what they liked and disliked about Carnivale, which followed a carnival troupe during its supernatural trek in Dust Bowl America in the 1930s.

HBO has said it doesn’t know if it will bring back Carnivale -- which was criticized for leaving a lot of loose ends in its finale this year -- for a second season.

As part of the questionnaire, subscribers were asked to rate the major characters on the series, from saintly protagonist Ben Hawkins to Satanic villain Brother Justin, on how "he/she adds or detracts from your enjoyment of the show."

Subscribers were also asked if they would watch a second season of Carnivale and how it compared with dramatic series on the broadcast networks.

An HBO spokeswoman Friday denied that the survey’s results will be a deciding factor in whether or not Carnivale has a second season. The survey itself says the results will be used for "market-research purposes only."

HBO normally sends surveys to consumers to gauge their reaction to some programming, such as series or movies, the spokeswoman added.

[PrairieScaper]

fermicat posted the survey address in the OT-TV forum:
http://www.hbosurveys.com/surveys/carnivale_end.htm

I for one cannot believe that HBO would go through the effort of accumulating viewer opinions and then withhold that info from the programming decision-makers. That's just silly.

If you are a fan, please vote to encourage HBO to produce a second season of this unique series! You don't have to be a subscriber or even sign in to take the survey.

[stellar]

What about voices of dissent?

[fermicat]

Originally posted by stellar
What about voices of dissent?

I took it as a great opportunity to let them know what they are doing right and wrong, as they give space for writing in comments on both during the survey. I really wanted to like the show, and did watch all of it, but was disappointed overall and think they could make it much better and more engaging.

[Farsight]

HBO also has a limited number of slots open for series, and likely a waiting list of people & projects lined up. So if you (like me) weren't impressed with Carnivale, it'd be a good idea to say so, to improve the chances that it will be replaced with something better.

I enjoy almost every original series HBO puts on, but Carnivale struck me as being weird for the sake of being weird, and revelling in the notion of -not- answering any questions. It seemed like the people behind it got too fixated on making something different, instead of making something good.

HBO obviously isn't going to blurt out that the survey -will- determine Carnivale's fate, since that would just encourage ballot-stuffing by fans of the show, even if their opinion is the minority. As a subscriber-based network, HBO is much more likely to listen to fan input than commercial networks, since their profits come directly from keeping viewers interested and happy.

[PrairieScaper]

Originally posted by stellar
What about voices of dissent? Obviously there are response options for negative opinions, so you're free to say whatever you feel.

If I didn't like Carnivale and didn't want a second season, I wouldn't watch it and probably wouldn't bother with the survey. But that's just me. (After all, I know how upset Scapers get when negative opinions about our fave show pop up in surveys or polls or whatnot!) I usually figure it's no skin off my nose if fans support a show I don't care for. But if you think it would help in some fashion, hey, dissent away! :)

Originally posted by FarsightHBO also has a limited number of slots open for series, and likely a waiting list of people & projects lined up. So if you (like me) weren't impressed with Carnivale, it'd be a good idea to say so, to improve the chances that it will be replaced with something better.Interesting. I've seen similar statements about FS. (Not here, of course.) Well, to each their own.

[stellar]

You know something? Mediocrity used to not bother me before Farscape.

Nothing against the Carnivale fans. I think it has HUGE potential, but I don't think it fullfilled that potential to even the slightest degree.

Insert BSG or SG1 or something as your mediocre benchmark and ask yourself if you would have cared before Farscape showed you that TV could be much more.

[Sunderflame]

I tend to agree Stellar

[Farsight]

Well, Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Carnivale has been renewed for 13 episodes to air in late 2004, so it's a moot point.

But I pay money -explicitly- for HBO, not as part of some 3000-channel package, but $12 a month for HBO... so I have no problem 'raining on a fan's parade' by letting HBO know that Carnivale doesn't make me more likely to stay a subscriber. Picking fights over a show on a fan forum is one thing, letting a company know whether you are happy with their product is quite another.

IMO, HBO makes some of the best shows on television. Compared to that high standard, Carnivale doesn't match up. I'd prefer to see them try again with a new show. As it is, I'll probably drop HBO for the 3 months that Carnivale airs next year... now if only I could do that for the channels in that 3000-channel package. :)

[shamecube]

They did the same type of survey a couple of years ago for The Sopranos. I think they just want to know what "real" people really think. Their customers pay to watch their shows, after all. At least a network listens to its viewers...

[fermicat]

I agree with Stellar and Sundy.... Carnivale has a lot of potential and it failed to live up to it this past season. I would like to see them try again and get it right. They could have a dynamite second season if they do. IF the second season is no different that the first, then it isn't worth doing.

[PrairieScaper]

Originally posted by Farsight
Picking fights over a show on a fan forum is one thing, letting a company know whether you are happy with their product is quite another. I'm sorry if you think think that stating a difference of opinion constitutes 'picking a fight.' Hopefully I'm misunderstanding you. I don't think TV shows are worth fighting over (well, maybe just one). And as I said before, by all means register your dissent in the survey if you think it will help in some way.

[Farsight]

Yep, you're misunderstanding me. :)

I was referring to the difference between commenting on 'random site X' about a show, and sending feedback to the show's producers. One is idle chatter, the other is telling a business you buy from what you like/dislike.

While I wouldn't bother spending the time to go tell a bunch of Carnivale fans why I dislike their show, telling HBO is far more constructive, since the result would hopefully be a show I might like airing next year.

Of course, Carnivale has been renewed now, so I don't see that happening... Oh well, even HBO isn't perfect... :)

[PrairieScaper]

Originally posted by Farsight
Yep, you're misunderstanding me. :)
Sorry about that. My bad.