TV Guide's Future Uncertain - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tv star collector · 12-09-2007, 08:15 AM

SAN FRANCISCO -- TV Guide magazine's already fuzzy future looks even more
uncertain now that the magazine is part of a proposed $2.8 billion sale to
security software specialist Macrovision Corp.

Gemstar-TV Guide International's intellectual property and interactive programming were the magnets for Macrovision's proposal Friday to buy Gemstar--raising questions about whether there will be a place for a 54-year-old magazine that has been losing money and readers.

Macrovision Chief Executive Fred Amoroso didn't provide any definitive answers in a conference call with analysts, saying he didn't know much about
publishing and needed more time to assess how TV Guide could fit into his
strategy.

But some industry observers think the one-time household staple will soon
land in the trash bin of publications that couldn't adapt to the digital age.

80sTrivia · 12-09-2007, 10:23 AM

I haven't bought a TV Guide in years. Especially since they switched over to the tabloid-style publication. I remember when TV Guide was indispensable in all households, but I guess in the digital, on-demand TV world of today, it just doesn't have as much value.

D-Dey · 12-09-2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

I haven't bought a TV Guide in years. Especially since they switched over to the tabloid-style publication. I remember when TV Guide was indispensable in all households, but I guess in the digital, on-demand TV world of today, it just doesn't have as much value.

I stopped buying it because they switched over to a tabloid-style publication. They were better off when they had real schedules. A lot of the time, the guides in our cable-TV boxes are either wrong or incomplete.

Corolla · 12-09-2007, 01:37 PM

I don't see a need for any sort of programming guide when my satellite receiver shows what's coming on on every channel we have within the next 48 hours and if I'm looking for more information I could just check online.

Scoobiedoo30 · 12-09-2007, 02:00 PM

my dad just told me about the sale last night at 10:35 pm I just could not belive that TV Guide is for Sale

Dr. Thong · 12-09-2007, 02:06 PM

I had stopped subscribing years ago because of the tabloidesque writing and format. Back in the '70s and even into the '80s, TV Guide had solid TV-oriented journalism that was hard-hitting and gave great insight into the personalities and behind the scenes activities of the stars and shows.

But when the magazine changed format, becoming an all-purpose entertainment tabloid, and abandoned local listings, that's when it, ahem, "jumped the shark" for me. Why should I pay to subscribe when I can go to their website and get my local listings for free??

Scoobiedoo30 · 12-09-2007, 02:12 PM

I get The TV Guide through the mail

TVFactFan · 12-09-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

I haven't bought a TV Guide in years. Especially since they switched over to the tabloid-style publication. I remember when TV Guide was indispensable in all households, but I guess in the digital, on-demand TV world of today, it just doesn't have as much value.

TV Guide are not supposed to be purchased to see whats coming on TV-lol It's supposed to be purchased to read the TV reviews and articles about the TV season.

TVFactFan · 12-09-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~NeonFire372~

I don't see a need for any sort of programming guide when my satellite receiver shows what's coming on on every channel we have within the next 48 hours and if I'm looking for more information I could just check online.

It's not a TV Guide, it's a TV news Magazine. That's what a lot of people don't understand

Scoobiedoo30 · 12-09-2007, 02:50 PM

The reason why People are nolonger buying TV Guide is because DVR's Now show TV Listing

dawsongirl · 12-10-2007, 01:06 AM

I hope it sticks around. I still read it for episode descriptions and the articles. They need to stop talking about anything movie related...stick to TV ONLY, but other than that it is still okay. Entertainment Weekly doesn't do enough articles about TV shows that aren't Grey's Anatomy, reality garbage, or Heroes.

Nighthawk76 · 12-10-2007, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

I hope it sticks around. I still read it for episode descriptions and the articles. They need to stop talking about anything movie related...stick to TV ONLY, but other than that it is still okay. Entertainment Weekly doesn't do enough articles about TV shows that aren't Grey's Anatomy, reality garbage, or Heroes.

What's wrong with movies, Cathy? I'm with you on Grey's Anatomy though. That show is talked about everywhere. You can't open an entertainment magazine without there being an article on that show.

bingbangbaby · 12-10-2007, 01:47 AM

I do still use my tv guide to look at program listings and descriptions. It's usually the most accurate thing of all the things I have access to, which is interesting because it's the one that is the least updateable.
I don't like their new format, however, and I think they made a mistake when they went to the bigger size and really cut back on the listings. They took away what made them special and significant. What that did was make them just another magazine in a crop of other magazines that already existed of the same type that are better than that new Tv Guide format. I understand they were trying to diversify themselves and stay afloat and relevant, but it didn't work, in my opinion.

tv star collector · 12-10-2007, 08:25 AM

I absolutely agree. When they changed formats, they became nothing more
than an Entertainment Weekly ripoff and said, in effect, the heck with a 50-
year-old tradition. Yes, it was the digest format that set TV Guide apart and
gave it its own individuality. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But I guess they
felt they had no choice. The magazine was losing money and it was too
expensive to continue publishing a different edition for each region. I guess
they figured they had to either change or fold. But it appears the magazine
is going to fold, anyway. Another tradition bites the dust.

Coffeecup · 12-10-2007, 09:42 PM

Wow that surprises me. I knew it was suffering some but I didn't realize it was that bad. I did prefer it when it was smaller and had 24 hours listings. Now there are gaps when I don;t know what is on. At one time it was a very popular magazine. Was in the top five maybe it was number 1 of best selling magazines years ago. I somewhat like the gossip section. But without a guide that does tell me what is on I'd be lost. I don't have a tv that tells me what is on. And I am not fumbling with a computer. I still want a paper guide of some sort. My subscription runs out in 2011. I hope the magazine hangs on til then.

12-09-2007, 08:15 AM	#1
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	TV Guide's Future Uncertain SAN FRANCISCO -- TV Guide magazine's already fuzzy future looks even more uncertain now that the magazine is part of a proposed $2.8 billion sale to security software specialist Macrovision Corp. Gemstar-TV Guide International's intellectual property and interactive programming were the magnets for Macrovision's proposal Friday to buy Gemstar--raising questions about whether there will be a place for a 54-year-old magazine that has been losing money and readers. Macrovision Chief Executive Fred Amoroso didn't provide any definitive answers in a conference call with analysts, saying he didn't know much about publishing and needed more time to assess how TV Guide could fit into his strategy. But some industry observers think the one-time household staple will soon land in the trash bin of publications that couldn't adapt to the digital age.

12-09-2007, 10:23 AM	#2
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	I haven't bought a TV Guide in years. Especially since they switched over to the tabloid-style publication. I remember when TV Guide was indispensable in all households, but I guess in the digital, on-demand TV world of today, it just doesn't have as much value.
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

12-09-2007, 02:00 PM	#5
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	my dad just told me about the sale last night at 10:35 pm I just could not belive that TV Guide is for Sale
	__________________ Who Dat

12-09-2007, 02:06 PM	#6
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I had stopped subscribing years ago because of the tabloidesque writing and format. Back in the '70s and even into the '80s, TV Guide had solid TV-oriented journalism that was hard-hitting and gave great insight into the personalities and behind the scenes activities of the stars and shows. But when the magazine changed format, becoming an all-purpose entertainment tabloid, and abandoned local listings, that's when it, ahem, "jumped the shark" for me. Why should I pay to subscribe when I can go to their website and get my local listings for free??
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

12-09-2007, 01:37 PM	#4
Corolla Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2006 Location: Owen Sound, ON Posts: 2,376	I don't see a need for any sort of programming guide when my satellite receiver shows what's coming on on every channel we have within the next 48 hours and if I'm looking for more information I could just check online.

12-09-2007, 02:12 PM	#7
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I get The TV Guide through the mail

12-09-2007, 02:50 PM	#10
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	The reason why People are nolonger buying TV Guide is because DVR's Now show TV Listing

12-10-2007, 01:06 AM	#11
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	I hope it sticks around. I still read it for episode descriptions and the articles. They need to stop talking about anything movie related...stick to TV ONLY, but other than that it is still okay. Entertainment Weekly doesn't do enough articles about TV shows that aren't Grey's Anatomy, reality garbage, or Heroes.

12-10-2007, 01:47 AM	#13
bingbangbaby I see you!! Senior Member Join Date: Jul 15, 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,070	I do still use my tv guide to look at program listings and descriptions. It's usually the most accurate thing of all the things I have access to, which is interesting because it's the one that is the least updateable. I don't like their new format, however, and I think they made a mistake when they went to the bigger size and really cut back on the listings. They took away what made them special and significant. What that did was make them just another magazine in a crop of other magazines that already existed of the same type that are better than that new Tv Guide format. I understand they were trying to diversify themselves and stay afloat and relevant, but it didn't work, in my opinion.

12-10-2007, 08:25 AM	#14
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	I absolutely agree. When they changed formats, they became nothing more than an Entertainment Weekly ripoff and said, in effect, the heck with a 50- year-old tradition. Yes, it was the digest format that set TV Guide apart and gave it its own individuality. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But I guess they felt they had no choice. The magazine was losing money and it was too expensive to continue publishing a different edition for each region. I guess they figured they had to either change or fold. But it appears the magazine is going to fold, anyway. Another tradition bites the dust.

12-10-2007, 09:42 PM	#15
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,183	Wow that surprises me. I knew it was suffering some but I didn't realize it was that bad. I did prefer it when it was smaller and had 24 hours listings. Now there are gaps when I don;t know what is on. At one time it was a very popular magazine. Was in the top five maybe it was number 1 of best selling magazines years ago. I somewhat like the gossip section. But without a guide that does tell me what is on I'd be lost. I don't have a tv that tells me what is on. And I am not fumbling with a computer. I still want a paper guide of some sort. My subscription runs out in 2011. I hope the magazine hangs on til then.