This is an informal announcement -- something more formal will be along later.
I generally dislike "Save Our Show" campaigns. I find them to be misdirected and ineffective, with a few notable exceptions. Often the people involved don't understand the way that the television industry works, or they don't know that the cast and crew have moved on and don't really want to continue the show, or they simply don't care. They think that it's still 1968, and if enough letters arrive in the network's mailbox the show
must be brought back.
Other campaigns in recent years, however, have taken their knowledge of the industry and the production to target just the right spots, just the right people, and have effected change. Under certain circumstances, fans can make a difference.
This week GateWorld is throwing its support behind the "Save Stargate SG-1" campaign, which we are headquartering at
SaveStargateSG1.com. We are partnering in this campaign with
Stargate SG-1 Solutions, a site that for years has widely been regarded as our competitor. We are currently looking for others to join the cause. Alison, the site's owner, and I believe that the campaign to save
SG-1 will be made stronger by our sites, and others, joining together to present a united face -- and that fandom, by extension, will be better off for it.
We've decided to support the campaign because we have heard, both from Stargate Productions and from MGM, that they want
SG-1 to continue. Our intent is to support the studio and their decision as to what is next for this story, whether it is an eleventh season on SCI FI, on another station, a TV movie, mini-series, feature film, or whatever. So, the campaign's exact goals may change as that develops.
At the very least, even if SCI FI's mind can't be changed, a visible and active campaign will demonstrate to potential future MGM partners (they are in negotiatons
now) that
Stargate SG-1 is not an aging show with a failing audience. The audience is large and voracious, and we will follow the team to their next stop!
Watch GateWorld in the coming weeks for more on the campaign, and please bookmark
SaveStargateSG1.com. Strategy and direction is in the planning stages, but of course it is never too early to write to, fax, e-mail, and call SCI FI Channel to courteously express your dismay at the show's cancellation.
Write to:
Mark Stern
Executive Vice President Original Programming
NBC Universal | SCI FI Channel
30 Rockefeller Plaza,
New York, NY 10112
Bonnie Hammer
President
NBC Universal | SCI FI Channel
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Supporting the show by purchasing episodes of
Stargate on iTunes will also help! GateWorld has set up an iTunes affiliate account, so you can support the show and this Web site at the same time. Episodes are $1.99 and a full season pass is $37.99 (U.S. only, sorry!). Look for those links to appear in the
SG-1 Season Ten and
Atlantis Season Three episode guides this week.
Thanks in advance for your support of "Save Stargate SG-1." Let's show the world that the show isn't done just yet!
Born to be a Stargate fan, Darren started GateWorld in 1999. In addition to personal and freelance
Web work he is also a writer, a graduate student in theology, a husband and a father of two. He is a big fan
of genre hits like Star Trek, Babylon 5, Farscape, LOST, and Battlestar Galactica.
"GateWorld has set up an iTunes affiliate account, so you can support the show and this Web site at the same time... ...Look for those links to appear in the SG-1 Season Ten and Atlantis Season Three episode guides this week."
Darn it Darren, If I had know would be happening then wouldn't have already downloaded "200" and "Progeny" from iTunes. And besides this is the easiest way for me to support GW. I'll wait to download "Sateda," until later in the week.
I'll check out the site and if I get any episodes off ITunes, I'll make sure to do it through here.
Thanks Darren!
Darren, is Showtime actually considering bringing back Stargate if Scifi doed not keep it? I would change my cable package for sure but today is the first I've heard of that.
Great Blog! Thank you so much for caring enough to put your efforts into helping save the show. Stargate is sooooo worth it. You are very articulate and there are no typos in your blog...unlike my statements, LOL It is my sincerest hope that everyone will follow through with snail mail letters to the appropriate executives. I have sent off two so far and am crafting others. I also sent and email to scifi programming (from their web site) I certainly hope they hear us and change their mind. Gateworld love to you!!
I doubt that Showtime is a viable option, but anything is certainly possible! I don't know for a fact that it's not on the table.
If I had to guess, I'd say SG-1 ends up on Spike (assuming it does end up moving to another network). Their tendancy to rerun hours of SciFi (Such as Star Trek and Seven Days) suggests that they share a large fan-base with the SciFi Channel. On top of that, Spike has recently been trying to increase their original programming.
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Where can we send mail to MGM to convince them to relocate to another network?
It's great that there's an official campaign, fair play to ya Darren & to Gateworld and Stargate Solutions!
Wish I could support GW on iTunes, but I'm in Ireland :(
-shelsfc
Some of us buy all the DVD sets when they come out, so iTunes isn't a good choice for us. How about setting up a PayPal account so people can just donate without having to download episodes? (Or contribute towards a 'scholarship' fund for those who would like to sign up for the itunes, but can't afford it).
There is a PayPal donations button at http://www.savestargatesg1.com/ . These funds will cover things like paying postage for letters submitted online and printed by a volunteer; the basic Web needs of the campaign site; and potentially an ad purchase down the road.
iTunes is a great option for those who do not get SCI FI Channel, especially. Remember that these episodes won't be on DVD for more than a year. And if you only have cable for Stargate, or a higher-tier cable package for Stargate, $38 x 2 shows per year is a big savings.
My wife and I moved to a place where we CAN'T get SCI FI, so iTunes is a godsend. And much, much cheaper than what we were paying for cable (satellite) service.
Darren, this is great to support this ampaing.
Have you guys thought about an event at NBC headquarters at the Rockfeller center? there are many Gaters in the NE area and NYC is a very easy place to get too.
There will also be a creation con in NJ around November, they could add a Save Stargate SG-1 activity and have it part of their Friday activity at the Rockfeller center too... just pitching some ideas...
PS: Waiting for the link to download the eps in Itunes
Got to say that you're right about most save that show campaigns. Alot of them don't work, but FireFly was one that worked because the cast, and the crew loved it.
Anyways, I don't know if Stargate really needs another season. A full on movie maybe, but another season. 10 years is like a dream for any show never mind a Sci Fi show. I'm just not sure if continuing it would be good...
You've got to be kidding me with the latest news write up about ratings. I know that it's uncomfortable to believe that RDA is responsible for the huge jump in ratings, but the data does seem to skew heavily in that direction. With a 1.9 the prior week, it's a little hard to swallow the line that "people don't know the show is on" or "Stargate is underpromoted". Clearly people are inclined to watch when what they like is being presented. It's no secret that for years renewal hinged on RDA's involvement. There actually was a reason for that. He brings in the numbers. Period. And for Atlantis too, apparently.
When the ratings for Atlantis' The Return are up in a few weeks, will that be because it was so "heavily promoted"? Or will the pink elephant sitting in the corner finally be acknowledged?
Jaques Euneale
Yes, we know RDA being on the show did something for the ratings being up for the 200th episode. The other reason ratings were high is because it was the "200th" episode and SciFi heavily advertised it (unlike what they've been doing during season 10).
The fact that SciFi moved the SG1's start time back one hour to have it combat Monk on the USA channel is a big problem in the ratings war. Funny how the director of programming is the same for both networks, but chose to do it any. What was the reason? Could it be to drive down the ratings for SG1 so SciFi could cancel it and say look at the 30% drop? You bet!
Also, why did SciFi decide to move BSG to another night when it had a great 3 hour block on Friday nights? Obviously the same reason as before--To drive SG1 ratings down.
By the way SGA's ratings are also down, because of the moves SciFi made to programming. SciFi's agenda this season was to say look we helped SG1 get to it's 200th (publicity for the network), while stabbing it in the back to get it off the air.
The only pink elephant here is SciFi.
Bugger, that's just full on misinformation.
SG-1 airs in the same spot it always had without BSG. It airs in the timeslot that it drew the highest ratings in the show's history for. Monk was moved, NOT SG-1. And what exactly is your point, anyway? That if people have to choose between SG-1 and Monk, then SG-1 gets a ass-kicking? Doesn't really say much about the show these days, does it?
BSG got moved off of the schedule because their production for season two ran long and because Ron Moore told Skiffy that he needed a longer production schedule. He actually wants to put out quality, not just quantity. There is no maliciious intent to bring down SG-1, it's weakness simply isn't being hidden any longer by zero competition and an anchor show like BSG.
And SGA's ratings were always going to go down if SG-1 ever took a hit. That show has been dependent upon the old warhorse ever since it began. Moving BSG away also left it open to failing ratings, since a good chunk of SGA's audience was just biding time until BSG. Oh and the super-crappy season two probably didn't do it any favors.
There are so many wild conspiracy theories out there it's ridiculous. SG-1 killed itself, plain and simple. The poster above is right, RDA is the ratings boost, and SG-1 would have been wise to bow out with him.
Snot,
Your argument lost any validity as soon as you said SG1 timeslot didn't change from last season...it's an hour later...
Do your homework before posting next time...and how 'bout a name...anonymous posts are pathetic...
Actually, ciri93, Mr. Anonymous above is correct. Since SG1's move to Scifi it has always aired at nine o'clock, save for the last ten episodes of season nine. For the record, the ratings for those ten episodes which showed at eight o'clock show a steady decline that has only continued in season ten.
Monk, however, did switch time slots at the start of its new season from ten o'clock to nine o'clock. As for your query about USA and Scifi counterprogamming against each other, it really is not too hard to grasp. Large companies often create competing products and pit them against each other. It's good business. That's how you gain an even larger share of the (in this case) viewers. Also, I don't necessarily think that the crossover audience for SG1 and Monk is that large that either one is drastically stealing viewers from the other. The two shows are meant to appeal to different viewers.
I do think the argument that Atlantis' numbers are closely tied to SG1 is borne out by the ratings data. By and large, Atlantis lives and dies by SG1. Last season, it also had a strong lead out show in Battlestar Galactica. And I do agree that Night Stalker is just about the worst lead in SG1 could have. That said, SG1 has never needed a strong lead in before. In previous years, SG1 has been the strong lead in show for Scifi. I'll be interested to see if Galactica's ratings also fall without SG1 bringing in viewers for the night.
Just found out that the GW Rating shown on the main season episode page is what you rate the episode to be. Since most of your viewers don't know that and assume it to be the fan poll rating, why don't you list the fan poll rating instead. Like a lot of movies in the theaters, the critics choice or opinion is not necessarily the viewers opinion. Let's not give the episode a bad rating just because you don't like it. Let the fans determine that for themselves.
i know this is off the topic here but does anyone know when the andee frizzell interview is going to be on gateworld
I posted this comment elsewhere, but find that it is more appropriate here. So please comment on this.
Yes, Stargate is expensive, so why can't we start a worldwide donation drive to rally as many millions of people all over the world to donate $1 or $2 for a "SG-1 Season Fund". From an estimate, it cost $2 million per episode. Since money talks LOUDER then message drives (emails and postal), then by raising millions of dollar from around the world, then it will show SciFi channel that there are more viewers and fans out there then they believed. By cancelling this series, they are alienating a very large section of viewers to SciFi. If anyone out there knows anything about organizing a funds drive, let get this started. Please there are at least 2 more seasons of SG-1 left. Let's try and keep it going for a proper series ending. Oh, not only fans of the series should be involved, but also fans of the actors/characters should be involved. Friends of fans and their fans and so on and so on. With over 7 billion people in the world, there must be at least 10 million fans and friends of fans. Let's join together and create something that has never been done before and make history.
I understand that NBC Universal has fired 700 employees because of needed cut backs to increase profits. It is apparent that the list needs to be expanded to include the executives of the NBC Universal group and the president of the NBC Universal Sci Fi Channel given some of their recent decisions. One can only wonder if the cancellation is due to the fact that MGM is a rival production operation, and there is a desire to in house as much of the programming as possible, for example, Battlestar Galactica. There is a sudden increase in the same programs appearing on their various cable outlets. However, the web site at nbcuni.com has not caught up with the ending of Stargate SG1. The following pronouncement appears in explaining the virtues of the SCI FI Channel.
“Launched in 1992, and currently in 84 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a powerhouse in original dramatic series with its Friday night block of originals, Stargate SG1, Stargate Atlantis, and the Peabody Award-winning program from NBC Universal Television Studios, Battlestar Galactica.. . . ” ( http://nbcuni.com)
I would suggest that in addition to writing letters to NBC Universal and the SCI FI Channel that people buy some stock in General Electric and write letters to the company as stock holders. This will also allow people to speak at their general meeting. The following information might help if anyone wants to do this.
“NBC Universal is a media and entertainment company formed in May 2004 by the combination of General Electric's NBC with Vivendi Universal Entertainment, part of the French Media Group, Vivendi SA. GE owns 80% of NBC Universal with the remaining 20% owned by Vivendi SA and Barry Diller”. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Universal)
In addition, letters to networks such as Fox and other cable or broadcast networks that are not owned by NBC Universal might increase the interest of alternative outlets when the Contract between MGM and SCI FI runs out.