Gun Television Programs, and why they are so bad.

In a word... advertising. With out "sponsors" none of those shows would get made.

The thing is, sitcoms are on TV to get people to watch, so that the TV networks can sell air time for comm'ls. Smaller ( mainly cable) TV networks, just don't have the viewers to be able to just rely on comm'ls to pay thier bills.

Why do you think it cost millions for a 30 seconds during the super bowl? Why do you think the major net works pay the NFL to brodcast the superbowl?

News papers, magazines, raido stations, TV and the internet all run on advertising. With out it, we would not have any of them.

Being relatively new to shooting, I'm interested in building my knowledge of older firearms. Therefore, segments such as "Classic Gun" are my favorite.

Those segments are mostly factual, since it's difficult to promote the sales of a 100 year old gun.

Two things:

Both shows have relatively easy ways for you to contact them directly. While your input may be ignored, it stands a vastly better chance of having an effect than a (descriptive withheld) forum post.

How is watching an involuntary act for you? (What did you do to deserve such punishment? )

there is 22 mins for every half hour of air time. So that 8 min speal would be around a 1/3 of the air time... you would be amazed at how much it cost to make a half hour show.

I do alot of work for a guy( mainly building props and set etc) I went to college that is in the porn industry, for them to make a 2 hour dvd it cost them about 100k, we are not talking about high dollar production here, its really low budget.

Shows like the History Channels "Tales of the Gun" are some of the best. I'd like to see someone produce an "Antiques Roadshow" for firearms enthusiasts.

They have it down to a science. The motivating factor is the almighty buck.

The topics are so oversimplified that the only people who will find them informative, or even entertaining are the noobs that don't yet know which end of the gun the bullet comes out of. And the trick shooters are a complete waste of time. And the hosts' delivery remind me of the training films I had to sit through in basic training...

I saw a program on HD techniques once, the stuff was filmed at and demonstrated by instructors at Gunsite(sp?) IIRC. It was on one of the outdoor channels. No ads in the show that I remember, aside from the obvious recommendation that you go get some training with them. Plenty of Kimber commercials otherwise, though, with other makers scattered in. Wish I could remember what channel and what program, so I could tune in more often, but I can't say I've seen it's like listed again.

Hey Fingers, Like most programming, it's gotta be geared to the broadest cross-section of viewers.
I only get to watch the programs you mention the few times that I'm at my Folks' house, as I only get air-broadcast programming.
As a further exp of what you're (I think) talking about, I like science-stuff, and only get my "fix" by watching Nova, and the other science-oriented shows on PBS. I wish the programs were more technical, and longer, but I'll take what I can get.

I saw a program on HD techniques once, the stuff was filmed at and demonstrated by instructors at Gunsite(sp?) IIRC. It was on one of the outdoor channels. Wish I could remember what channel and what program, so I could tune in more often, but I can't say I've seen it's like listed again.

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Sounds like you saw Tom Gresham's show Personal Defense. If you go to his GunTalk site he discusses why the show has been off and on The Outdoor Channel. An interesting look at how the business of niche TV programming works - or doesn't.

http://www.guntalk.com/site.php?pageID=15&newsID=39

A snippett:

PDTV is NOT Going Away

So, what now for Personal Defense TV and other shows? Not to worry. Clearly, they will appear on The Sportsman Channel. Now that IMO has cut the apron strings [to Outdoor Channel], it can get about its work to increase the distribution of Sportsman Channel. Expect to see news releases on deals putting SC on cable systems around the country, and possibly on one or both of the satellite services. Click Here if you would like to contact your local network provider and request The Sportsman Channel (or visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com and click on "GET THE CHANNEL"). There's also the very real possibility that you'll see some IMO shows, including PDTV, on other networks (in addition to SC).

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What, and miss the "torture test"? My favorite segment....

HI Crazy,

Well, since this is America and you believe such a program would have value the logical thing for you to do would be to find the capital and experts, film your own segment(s) and pitch them to the proper network. Not only will you get the kind of programming you want, you might make a profit in the process.

Selena

I love Tales of the Gun. What spoils some programing when I watch American Shooter and all those wonderful programs. They show to many blasted comercials. They take up so much time the program doesn't have time to teach you anything. I wish they could regulate comercials. I understand they have to pay the bills and all but give me a break. There is only so much anybody can take. :banghead:

Shows that are just big advertisements for sponsors? Sounds exactly like "Powerblock TV" on Spike network. I watch it anyhow because I'm into cars as much as I'm into guns.

I do alot of work for a guy( mainly building props and set etc) I went to college that is in the porn industry

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Mainly... but every once in a while...

So basically they're just like gun magazines? i haven't seen either of these shows yet, but it doesn't sound like i'm missing anything.

I think the problem with gun TV or even gun magazines is identical to the issue with weightlifting. Everything that can be said has been said. We're now just discussing tiny refinements or trivial distinctions which really don't have much meaning.

Major development in firearms and cartridges ceased about 1920. Geeze, guys, ask 100 men what's the best action for hunting and most will say the 98 Mauser - a design that's unchanged for over 100 years! What's the best single carts - the 30-06 (another 100 year). Or maybe the 375 H&H (another almost 100 year). If you are after an elephant, getting better than the 416 Rigby willl be tough.

So what's TV going to discuss in neat new developments? As to technique, again, it's all been over gosh knows how many times. So like gun mags, the TV is pretty much down to talking about old wine in new bottles.

I have a friend who has been trying to get a tv show on gunsmiths on the air for over two years www.thegunsmiths.com, he has been working with several of the cable networks trying to get it started, the requirements are very daunting and the cost for production is insane. He has been floating the cost himself so it is true to his idea, but the networks have been fighting him for some time on content, they want to make money and they feel they know what sells, he has had to make some changes at their assistance but his hope is it will become popular enough he will be able to steer it back on track within a few years.

The audience for these shows (and most cable shows) is so small that the revenue from the 30 second advertisements won't come close to paying the production costs like a show on the broadcast networks. A show on CBS might have 15 million viewers. A hunting show on Versus might get 100,000 viewers. These shows wouldn't exist if Winchester or Beretta didn't sponsor them. Sitcoms and dramas aren't immune to these economics either. The shows on The CW are loaded with product placement.

I think the problem with gun TV or even gun magazines is identical to the issue with weightlifting. Everything that can be said has been said. We're now just discussing tiny refinements or trivial distinctions which really don't have much meaning.

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Really, thats just it. I really enjoy coming on this message board and asking questions, or debating certain things but ultimately this board asks one question that each of us attempts to answer: "What do you think is sufficient for self-defense?" One person might think its a .45 1911, another a glock, one anything in 9mm, one a large bore revolver, but ultimately its people testing to see if they think they choice is sufficient. A show like that sounds good for someone new to firearms and what not, but at a certain point everything becomes regurgitation.