TFW2005 Coverage Of Hasbro Media And Investor Day 2017

RKillian

Not really. The point was the schedule and what people like aren't always related. CN, as another poster stated, has a habit of sabotaging other shows, even other WB-produced shows.

On the subject of a new show…writers of modern shows should really look at the series bibles for stuff from the 1980s. Alot of what's there is basically what you used to find on tech specs. So-and-so likes Earth music, can reach speeds of 200mph in vehicle mode, and is distracted by rabbits. The less the parent company tries to dictate some kind of image or agenda, the more opportunities the writers have to focus on interesting self-contained stories. If some spoilsport had made a scene over "well, their little domestic squabble is none of our concern, but rescuing Jazz and Cliffjumper is" because domestic violence is serious business, we might never have seen Starscream's Brigade.

What was that last bit?   Maybe I'm tired, but I didn't understand your point about SS's Brigade.

And if you want to talk about freedom… well, going the cable route might be out then. There's always an agenda or directive involved in these things. And sometimes lawyers get involved, which makes everything worse. But that's an entirely different topic, and I'm really not at liberty to discuss the creative process and imposed restrictions. I guess my point was that I've never been truly bothered by CN's restrictive, abusive, bullying schedule and actions – I used to like what they had on (even Scooby Doo). TTG is a step in the right direction, but everyone wants to hate on the show because of other reasons.

If you hate CN, say so. But blaming TTG is scapegoating. Especially because TTG is really mimicking the other shows on CN like Uncle Grandpa, Flapjack, etc. BUT, unlike those shows, TTG has super-heroes and kids love super-heroes (boys do). And to my knowledge, EVERY SUPER HERO SHOW EVER has always been ultra serious and dramatic. So yeah, I'm here to defend a super hero program that likes to be silly and poke fun at the genre and life (in general). TTG is good for the super hero genre! It expands the emotional range of a typically stagnant, predictable offering.

ZapRowsdower

One has to wonder why Hasbro doesn't bother hiring "booth girls" for these events!   I get it: "Silly Rabbit! Toys are for kids!"    

I doubt kids would mind though  

I just like the 80s throwback in Night Divides The Day (or whatever it's actually called!)

Negativedark

Pay to be played is called payola, and if you get caught doing it is a pretty hefty fine. As for hearing the same songs, that's because they are currently in what's called Heavy Rotation. At the station I was at the playlist was determined by the program director, and based on what they wanted to run, the certain songs would show up on those lists more often than not, but there were certain rules, such as never playing them back to back or more than once an hour. If that happened for a song and it slipped in, you had to play a different one.

Now that's radio guidlines, Cable TV is much different. But CN is quite frankly notorious for how many shows it's screwed. And not all of those shows did poorly. Young Justice for example had great ratings. With older viewers, and female viewers. CN concluded it wouldn't sell merch like TTG. Funny thing is I've seen more merch for YJ than TTG. Though I may simply be looking in the wrong parts of the store.

To make matters more screwed up, CN is also notorious for being hostile to shows produced by other branches of Warner Brothers, and not by them, as the money from merchendising goes more to that other divison. And then there's that odd thing where CN will screw a show and take it off the air after three episodes despite having ordered and paid for a whole season (though that may be mitigated by CN affiliates in Latin America and Europe actually running the whole series). Thus wasting the money invested.

Which is why I'm not surprised to see that Cyberverse having a streaming option is mentioned, as Hasbro likely expects CN to try and screw them again. Hell Pokemon got tired of that shit and jumped ship to Disney, and they were in a better timeslot.

Oh there are things I can blame TTG for. It's mean spirited, it's protagonists are bullying assholes, it revels in insulting it's audience and everything else, and one gets the impression at times the writers aren't fond of working on the show either. Occasionally however it will have a good episode with actually funny jokes. But that's just my opinion, and you are entitled to yours, and if you and your kids like it fine. However the scheduling at the expense of every other show does mean it ends up crowding other shows out of the schedule, and that people that like those shows, and don't really, really love TTG are going to get sick and tired of it. And no it is not because the show is that good, it's because it's a cheap safe way for the executives to make money at minimal risk and investment. But it's still going to be the visible part that makes the easiest outlet to vent at. Simply put as it's on so much TTG is basically forced down our throats at the expense of other things we might like better, hence we come to hate it like a man forced to eat eggs for every meal for six years straight will come to never want to eat eggs again.

Very well put and thoughtful response, thank you!   I can't really argue with your solid points, and you seem to understand the corporate environment far better than I do!   So again, I'm sorry if I said anything too ignorant (and therefore obnoxious) regarding the topic, given my limited view in the matter (I don't have experience working in any of these areas, television or radio!  ).

And I agree TTG can be mean and bullying, ironically enough. But I don't see it as evil, per se. From the little I've seen, it's more of a plot device to get something to happen. I mean, would you say the other members bully Robin or that he bullies them? Doesn't it depend on the episode, for whatever requisite plot?  

Anyway, you're absolutely right about a show being re-run for easy money and little investment, but… for once, I don't mind. I actually enjoy the zany, CHEERFUL quality of TTG. There's been no other super hero show like it. So given the choice of watching more moody, drama-filled Justice League or TTG, I'd rather see the more original show. Humor is hard, don't forget. Maybe they don't always hit the nail, but you should have more appreciation for the attempt.

Aren't you depressed enough, day to day? Isn't it a little nice to have a program that just tosses all that real out the window and goes zany?

Plus, I've seen the "other" shows on CN… ugh. Steven Universe? That cat show (forget the name) Gumball, Uncle Grandpa? I'm not sure we're really missing out if those shows are getting pushed out. And merchandising? You really think it's a big consideration there? There are faults to that argument: 1) MOST CN shows have ZERO merchandising, and 2) TTG have very little merchandising (as you mentioned), and there haven't been more toys since it began repeating ad nauseam. Again, it could be that TTG gets better ratings, for real. Remember Chowder? Do we need more of that?   Ughhh, and Foster's Home for Imaginary Animals… You know, I stopped getting cable a long time ago because that was the crap CN was putting on. And since then, I feel I really haven't missed much. But hey, it's just my opinion, and I like TTG (when it's not creepy and dark). Would I like more shows, other than TTG? YES! But what we usually get is garbage, imo, so it doesn't bother me as much when they re-run TTG again.

RKillian

Did kids love the original Scooby Doo? Because Cartoon Network played that about 14 hours a day in the early 2000s.

Funny story: you watch Scooby Doo enough times and you DO enjoy it more!   I know I hated it as a kid… but then I got to liking it. It's just so calming and benign, like watching a pleasant sunset.

But that's a bad comparison, don't you think? I don't recall Scooby Doo having mecha fights or arguing the merits of Tofu.   I'll give you that Velma has a Raven vibe, though.  

ZapRowsdower

In fact, my favorite episode from BW was that Energon gas episode!   But unfortunately, like the rest of the show, the episode was random and not consistent with an overall humor or tone.

My favorite Teen Titans Go episode is the one where they straight up remade the Nufu episode but made it less creepy and interesting than the original.

ScientistMan

So, it was Teen Titans Go?

Sure, but less funny!  

In fact, my favorite episode from BW was that Energon gas episode!   But unfortunately, like the rest of the show, the episode was random and not consistent with an overall humor or tone.

ZapRowsdower

I got a couple of things out of this, that no one has really talked about yet…

1) Hasbro's target demographic is kids… which are clearly defined as 10 and under.  Really? So anything over 10 yrs old is considered a "fan"?      

2) G1 redux is intriguing, and I definitely think kids <10 yrs will be interested. My kids love G1, but the age of the show is clearly a negative (some new animation would help). They love the 86 movie; they can't watch the Bay movies (too dark and scary, not to mention the stupid pot humor and unnecessary T&A from the current flavor model of the day).

C) I would like Rescue Bots more (now that I see it's intended for 3-5 yrs) if it was actually educational. Maybe even some animal portions, with TFs interacting with real animals a la National Geographic? Seriously, the current format of RB is garbage to me. And lacking a BB as a main character is a big negative, as my kids couldn't care less about RB. I know it's unpopular to say all of this, but I don't like RB and I don't think it's a good program for young kids. Throw in something educational and maybe I'd reconsider.

There was nothing like the original G1 Transformers no matter how much SFX and comedy they add to the new movies…

ZapRowsdower

But radio stations DO work the same way: whoever pays gets played. And we hear the same music…

"QUESTION: Why is it… every time I turn on the radio, I hear the same 5 songs, 15 times a day, FOR THREE MONTHS????"
FUNK DAT!!!

And you're arguing different things: scheduling versus TTG being good or bad. If you hate the scheduling, I can agree with you that it's messed up, but you are blaming TTG for that???

Young kids (3-5 yrs old) love bright colors, and not much is brighter than yellow. I've stuck Cliffjumper next to BB, and my kid will pick BB every time! And these two are almost identical, save the color. So colors are a big deal, and Hasbro seems ignorant of that important detail…

I'll give you an adult example:


Same dress, two girls in same club, which one do you see first? Which one do you approach first? So before even addressing the color, Hasbro uses marketing buzzwords like "friendly" and "nice" and "hero" etc. etc. etc.   I think kids like the general look of BB, the COLOR, and then attribute all that other jazz to him – generic qualities they appreciate and that can describe virtually EVERY AUTOBOT.

No, i'm sorry. Both ladies are equally attractive to me. Now if one of them would be holding a giftwrapped TT Masterpiece Galvatron, Thundertron or BW TM Megatron you'd be onto a winner.

Edit:
Or better yet: Galvatron dressed in a short yellow mini skirt. Hmmm
It can be any size he wants.

ZapRowsdower

But radio stations DO work the same way: whoever pays gets played. And we hear the same music…

"QUESTION: Why is it… every time I turn on the radio, I hear the same 5 songs, 15 times a day, FOR THREE MONTHS????"
FUNK DAT!!!

Pay to be played is called payola, and if you get caught doing it is a pretty hefty fine. As for hearing the same songs, that's because they are currently in what's called Heavy Rotation. At the station I was at the playlist was determined by the program director, and based on what they wanted to run, the certain songs would show up on those lists more often than not, but there were certain rules, such as never playing them back to back or more than once an hour. If that happened for a song and it slipped in, you had to play a different one.

Now that's radio guidlines, Cable TV is much different. But CN is quite frankly notorious for how many shows it's screwed. And not all of those shows did poorly. Young Justice for example had great ratings. With older viewers, and female viewers. CN concluded it wouldn't sell merch like TTG. Funny thing is I've seen more merch for YJ than TTG. Though I may simply be looking in the wrong parts of the store.

To make matters more screwed up, CN is also notorious for being hostile to shows produced by other branches of Warner Brothers, and not by them, as the money from merchendising goes more to that other divison. And then there's that odd thing where CN will screw a show and take it off the air after three episodes despite having ordered and paid for a whole season (though that may be mitigated by CN affiliates in Latin America and Europe actually running the whole series). Thus wasting the money invested.

Which is why I'm not surprised to see that Cyberverse having a streaming option is mentioned, as Hasbro likely expects CN to try and screw them again. Hell Pokemon got tired of that shit and jumped ship to Disney, and they were in a better timeslot.

ZapRowsdower

And you're arguing different things: scheduling versus TTG being good or bad. If you hate the scheduling, I can agree with you that it's messed up, but you are blaming TTG for that???

Oh there are things I can blame TTG for. It's mean spirited, it's protagonists are bullying assholes, it revels in insulting it's audience and everything else, and one gets the impression at times the writers aren't fond of working on the show either. Occasionally however it will have a good episode with actually funny jokes. But that's just my opinion, and you are entitled to yours, and if you and your kids like it fine. However the scheduling at the expense of every other show does mean it ends up crowding other shows out of the schedule, and that people that like those shows, and don't really, really love TTG are going to get sick and tired of it. And no it is not because the show is that good, it's because it's a cheap safe way for the executives to make money at minimal risk and investment. But it's still going to be the visible part that makes the easiest outlet to vent at. Simply put as it's on so much TTG is basically forced down our throats at the expense of other things we might like better, hence we come to hate it like a man forced to eat eggs for every meal for six years straight will come to never want to eat eggs again.