TNN's ugly black bar...

[TVJunkie101]

Even a major website such as The Futon Critic hates the black bar, read on:

tnn starts 'c.s.i.' from the beginning

TNN will find out if $1.6 million per episode is worth it on Monday, September 16 as the cable channel begins its off-network run of CBS' "C.S.I." The unique deal - which gives TNN the right to air the series' first two seasons - features the caveat that it must air the show out of primetime (11 p.m. eastern) and can only air the show once a week. There's no word if as part of the deal TNN gets to put its lovely "it sure looks like widescreen but good god it's not" black bars around the show. Am I the only one who wants to gouge their eyes out watching anything on this channel?

Sorry if this was sort of off-topic, and I understand if it's moved.

[ClassicComedyFan2]

I could care less about the bar. It's not NEARLY as annoying as everyone says. I would rather enjoy great programming like Star Trek: TNG, Diff'rent Strokes, Kids Say, Real TV, CSI and more. Funny how no one cries about ESPN's, CNNs and FOx News's black bars...

[TVJunkie101]

It really doesn't bother me all that much anymore, but at times it can be distracting. At least those black bars serve a PURPOSE, even Oxygen's black bar has a purpose, to distribute fun facts and information. TNN's is just there.

[Chelsea]

Eh, I've grown to kinda like the black bar. IT's became one of TNN's most recognized (and dispised) trademarks (and that's what TNN wants, recognition)

Besides, it's better than what they did in the early days of the current (pop) incarnation. Instead of the black bar, they had voice-over comments every five mins or so during the show (Not during the commercials, during the MAIN SHOW)

Now THAT was annoying

[Robert Tilton]

Originally posted by ClassicComedyFan2
I could care less about the bar. It's not NEARLY as annoying as everyone says. I would rather enjoy great programming like Star Trek: TNG, Diff'rent Strokes, Kids Say, Real TV, CSI and more. Funny how no one cries about ESPN's, CNNs and FOx News's black bars...

Let's take this line upon line and precept upon precept. Begin:


I could care less about the bar.


Let me begin by mentioning that there are 2 schools of thought on the "bugs" issue. Before I begin, of course, I'd like to review a post I wrote here in Sitcoms Online regarding TV Bugs. The basic reasons behind the logos, black bars, bugs, whatever on screen are the following:


A: Corporate branding/recognition
B: Identification
C: Identification for Nielsen Families
D: Copyright/Piracy Protection.


And I would add a 5th Theory: Egotism and Apathy on the part of the Networks, in this case:


The TNN Deadly Black Bar.


Amen.


Moving right along. The 2 Schools of thought on this issue are: You either DISLIKE the Black Bar or You don't care one way or the other. So the point can be made here that the bar is NOT THAT NOTICEABLE. This is bad as one of the Primary Goals of TV Networks is TO BE NOTICED. Say it again. TO BE NOTICED. Say it again. TO BE NOTICED.


So in short, I have posted also that the TNN Brand Awareness is NOT THERE. Some TV Guides in newspapers still call TNN "The NASHVILLE Network". Moreover, WWE Ratings have dropped, resulting in a scheme to have a gay marriage to boost viewing. Sort of like that Darva Conger "Who Wants To Marry A Multi Millionaire" thing on FOX that tanked. And I say, you may not notice the Deadly Black Bar, but TNN is leaking oil badly w/a grade of F - - .


When you resort to gimmicks like that instead of putting Quality in, you're in trouble w/the Nielsens. The TV Ratings. And when you're in trouble, you'll resort to airing Reruns of Judge Wapner for the Rainman to watch. And LOTS of infomercials; TNN airing 6 Hours of them in the late night, which is common, but surely a big powerful company like Viacom can give them better treatment.


To conclude, Pavanbadal says it best. TNN, N@N, and TV Land are "sister" channels or "relatives". Well look at N@N (which has no Black Bar) and TV Land (same). Now look at TNN. With TNN, I see Cut Rate Treatment. In presentation and quality. Let's move along.


Amen.


It's not NEARLY as annoying as everyone says.


Well the information is most quantitative on the absuridy of the Black Bar. A Usenet Search for "TNN Black Bar" reveals lots of howling in the groups. True, some of the comments w/the Suck word may be uncalled for, and the reference to a 'Expletive of a Network' was irrational. But and however, there is TANGIBLE EVIDENCE that the TNN Black Bar is BAD:


A: The bottom 10 % of the screen is covered up. You can't see the action for they didn't crop the screen at first. But later:


B: They messed up the Aspect Ratio when they altered the screen to accomodate the Black Bar. So if you're watching Star Trek, Dr. Spock looks fat! For the picture is squished and out of proportion. Hurts my Eyes. And as I have Astigmatism and have to wear Glasses, Hurting My Eyes isn't cool.


(Let me digress that in my school days, my friends would want to see my glasses and try them on. They'd try them on, comment on the glare, and hand them back to me. 'MY EYES!' 'MY EYES!' they'd say. For I wear VERY STRONG glasses)


C: We'll get to this issue in a minute, but lets look at the content of the Black Bar. The name of the show stays up ALL THE TIME and the non-transparent bug stays up in the corner. Decoration! This is Useless, and in fact:


D: Hurts Nielsen Ratings. WWE ratings are down a tad. WWE being a Flagship of the TNN/Viacom Symposium. Note that 2 Bugs! are on screen in place of the Bar.


E: Its an Unacceptable Standard in light of the (relatively by comparison) non obstrusive ways of displaying information on screen. Other channels just have the bug in the corner and occasionally flash the title on screen before the break, like N@N does. Why can't TNN do that?


Hate success?


Hate winning?


N@N and TV Land is winning and they don't have a Black Bar.


Dear Me, No! Viacom hating to win! NAH. I do declare!


I would rather enjoy great programming like Star Trek: TNG, Diff'rent Strokes, Kids Say, Real TV, CSI and more.


I'm not a Trekkie, and even if I was, Dr. Spock's Fat! I'll just change the channel.


Diff'rent Strokes has been taken OFF.


Kids Say isn't all that and a bag of chips. It only lasted...ah...one season didn't it? Oh well. Its a real sneaky way to sneak more Cosby in. See networks are smart. Sometimes we just have to help them out a bit, like in this case. Amen.



Real Tv is a reality show. People are getting a little weary of the reality concept. 9/11 coverage was of course the Ultimate in Reality, but alas, I've only watched a little. Real Tv isn't one of the better shows anyway.


CSI. What's that? Oh yeah Crime Scene Investigation? A poor man's Law and Order? I've heard little about it.



Funny how no one cries about ESPN's, CNNs and FOx News's black bars...


I would cry if the Bars were Useless like TNN's. TNN is specializing in bad decoration for effect. In fact, oddly enough, I find the show A-Team works best w/the Black Bar. Military fugitives that always get away in their gaudy black van. An Airborne Ranger that's afraid to fly (Mr. T). M-16 fire that doesn't kill anyone, not to mention flipping over cars w/explosives! Campy 80s CheeseWiz w/a Hood Ornament besides! Not to mention I LOVE Murdock's work, but I digress.


CNN displays news and scores on their bar. And it doesn't mess up the scheme of things. In a multitask world you have LOTS OF INFO on screen. Displayed properly, it gives the useful info w/out clogging up the screen (debatable)


ESPN likewise does a fine job of displaying up-to-date info on their bar.


FOX I don't know that much about, but likewise I'm sure. All this is debatable of course.


But IMNSHO, the TNN Deadly Black Bar is not debatable in any way, shape, or form. They need to get with it, and they need to get with it now! The message is perfectly simple. The meaning is cle-e-ar. No don't ever stray too far (from the conventional standard). Yes Bar Disappear. Yes Bar Disappear.


All TV Networks that are Sitcom/Drama oriented have a general standard that TNN's EXCEEDED. Its very simple.


TNN should remove the Deadly Black Bar and leave the bug in the right bottom corner of the screen. Work on putting up a more transparent bug like TBS, but don't have the FATAL BAR. You don't need it for a Sitcom/Drama format. Get with it! This should have been done months ago. And if you want to put the title on screen, flash it up for a second or two before the breaks. And now the timing is right for the New Fall Season. God forbid we ignore you during the Sweeps. Come Now!


And everybody (mostly) says Amen.


Amen.


Its fine to watch programs w/the bar (s) if you want. I watch A-Team on TNN because of the campiness of the A-Team/Black Bar combo and because A-Team's a decent show. But that's it, unless TNN makes changes. Hopefully Viacom will give it an upgrade soon.

[Robert Tilton]

Originally posted by TVJunkie101
Even a major website such as The Futon Critic hates the black bar, read on:

tnn starts 'c.s.i.' from the beginning

TNN will find out if $1.6 million per episode is worth it on Monday, September 16 as the cable channel begins its off-network run of CBS' "C.S.I." The unique deal - which gives TNN the right to air the series' first two seasons - features the caveat that it must air the show out of primetime (11 p.m. eastern) and can only air the show once a week. There's no word if as part of the deal TNN gets to put its lovely "it sure looks like widescreen but good god it's not" black bars around the show. Am I the only one who wants to gouge their eyes out watching anything on this channel?

Sorry if this was sort of off-topic, and I understand if it's moved.

Sounds like TNN is giving CSI a test run. CBS and TNN are sisters of course in the Viacom Symposium. Widescreen or letterbox has black bars on Top and Bottom of movies. And some people actually Like it. TNN does Pan and Scan and messes it up more w/the Deadly Black Bar of course.

[JT]

I love Oxygen's black bar. It gives a whole bunch of information, and jokes and stuff. I love watching Kate & Allie and being to know more behind the show, like the fact that Susan Saint James's neice was on two episodes in the beginning of the 6th season.

[Impressions]

Originally posted by JT
I love Oxygen's black bar. It gives a whole bunch of information, and jokes and stuff. I love watching Kate & Allie and being to know more behind the show, like the fact that Susan Saint James's neice was on two episodes in the beginning of the 6th season.

I've noticed that too, it creates a little more enjoyment to the show, but TNN has no intention or importantance with anything they do with their black bar, which makes it an un-enjoyable experience, lol.

[DandR]

To me their black bar is as enjoyable as pop up ads, spam, junk mail and telemarketers.

[GoldenFamilyTies]

I never watch TNN anymore, but when I did it was kinda annoying, it's not THAT bad, but it does annoy you if you aren't used to it.

[alf8mycat]

I would just like to point out that the gay marriage storyline played out on WWE's Thursday Night show Smackdown! which airs on UPN, not TNN. WWE's Monday Night show on TNN isn't doing horrible in the ratings, but aren't nearly as good as they were when they were on the USA network.

[Zebra 3]

Here's an online petition,

"Rise Against TNN's Black Bar"

[Sitcomwriter]

Originally posted by JT
I love Oxygen's black bar. It gives a whole bunch of information, and jokes and stuff. I love watching Kate & Allie and being to know more behind the show, like the fact that Susan Saint James's neice was on two episodes in the beginning of the 6th season.

Yeah I agree and if anyone is wondering Susan's niece is Christa Miller of Drew Carrey and Scrubs fame!

[Czas na Zywiec]

I don't mind it. It's just like watching somehing on widescreen, only with one bar instead of two.

[kck]

I just do not understand you people (those of you approving of the bar), you pay good money to view this programming and yet you don't mind having TNN shove that dang logo and bar down your throat. I guess you will not mind it when the studios start putting a logo on the tapes & DVD's you rent too.