Empire has flopped in foreign countries, but is it really because of its minority cas - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 03-31-2016, 02:41 AM

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/...t_attempt.html

A Hollywood Reporter article points to Empire in declaring that foreign viewers are resisting Hollywood’s diversity push. But as Slate’s Aisha Harris points out, the story is problematic because it doesn’t say how Empire is faring compared to similar, largely white shows. For example, Empire hasn’t done well in Germany, yet German TV viewers don’t have an appetite for serialized shows.

James28 · 06-10-2016, 01:10 AM

I have heard of long-running hit shows that were unsuccessful in syndication, but I have never heard of a hit show that is flopping in international sales. It is said that Empire's subject matter (about the cutthroat hip-hop industry) doesn't really appeal to international audiences.

For example, in Canada, the first season of Empire aired on Omni Television, and the first half of its second season aired on City TV. Empire was dumped by City earlier this year, before the second half of its second season began airing on FOX in its native U.S., and now the series airs on Shomi, a subscription streaming service.

James28 · 03-10-2017, 01:24 AM

The Canadian streaming service Shomi shut down on November 30, 2016. This means Canadian viewers have no option to watch Empire, because neither City nor Omni have picked up the show's third season, and FOX-TV's streaming apps and Hulu are exclusive to the United States.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment...down-1.3779675

Yong Fang · 03-10-2017, 09:56 AM

I live in China and the whole "cannot be streamed outside the United States" annoys me no end. But I don't need Hulu, or any of these services. Hulu used to be cool when they offered shows for free, but now they are a pay service with me asking, why in the hell would anyone pay them when they can get the show free online....

http://watch-series.ag/serie/empire-2

I use this website to watch TV shows and have used it for many years. Have almost no problem watching what I want, when I want. This is three seasons of EMPIRE. Again, I can watch anything new I want, and the website has many, many older shows, but maybe only a few episodes.

When I was back in the USA, I could barely watch television because of all the commercials, so many commercials, I felt literally that I was watching loops of commercials and very little of the content I want to see. If and when I return, I am not paying for TV service (which runs $100 a month now). Gimme my IPad, Wifi, YouTube and that website (and others) and I am fine. Hulu can suck a whale nut.

Mace Dolex · 03-10-2017, 06:45 PM

Not every American show is going to be a hit in other countries, that's something TV producers need to get off their high horse insisting that only the U.S. produce quality programming.

For example Cheers while a darling with critics was never a success when I was living in Ecuador in the 80's.

03-31-2016, 02:41 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,896	Empire has flopped in foreign countries, but is it really because of its minority cas http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/...t_attempt.html A Hollywood Reporter article points to Empire in declaring that foreign viewers are resisting Hollywood’s diversity push. But as Slate’s Aisha Harris points out, the story is problematic because it doesn’t say how Empire is faring compared to similar, largely white shows. For example, Empire hasn’t done well in Germany, yet German TV viewers don’t have an appetite for serialized shows.

06-10-2016, 01:10 AM	#2
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,978	I have heard of long-running hit shows that were unsuccessful in syndication, but I have never heard of a hit show that is flopping in international sales. It is said that Empire's subject matter (about the cutthroat hip-hop industry) doesn't really appeal to international audiences. For example, in Canada, the first season of Empire aired on Omni Television, and the first half of its second season aired on City TV. Empire was dumped by City earlier this year, before the second half of its second season began airing on FOX in its native U.S., and now the series airs on Shomi, a subscription streaming service.
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

03-10-2017, 01:24 AM	#3
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,978	The Canadian streaming service Shomi shut down on November 30, 2016. This means Canadian viewers have no option to watch Empire, because neither City nor Omni have picked up the show's third season, and FOX-TV's streaming apps and Hulu are exclusive to the United States. http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment...down-1.3779675

03-10-2017, 09:56 AM	#4
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	I live in China and the whole "cannot be streamed outside the United States" annoys me no end. But I don't need Hulu, or any of these services. Hulu used to be cool when they offered shows for free, but now they are a pay service with me asking, why in the hell would anyone pay them when they can get the show free online.... http://watch-series.ag/serie/empire-2 I use this website to watch TV shows and have used it for many years. Have almost no problem watching what I want, when I want. This is three seasons of EMPIRE. Again, I can watch anything new I want, and the website has many, many older shows, but maybe only a few episodes. When I was back in the USA, I could barely watch television because of all the commercials, so many commercials, I felt literally that I was watching loops of commercials and very little of the content I want to see. If and when I return, I am not paying for TV service (which runs $100 a month now). Gimme my IPad, Wifi, YouTube and that website (and others) and I am fine. Hulu can suck a whale nut.

03-10-2017, 06:45 PM	#5
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,668	Not every American show is going to be a hit in other countries, that's something TV producers need to get off their high horse insisting that only the U.S. produce quality programming. For example Cheers while a darling with critics was never a success when I was living in Ecuador in the 80's.