Success of the Canadian spin-off

Brad Smith Canada's first bachelor

Just this last week was the series premiere of Bachelor Canada, another attempt at a Canadian version of an American franchise television show. Growing up as a kid, I quickly learned one thing; Canadian television is dismal in comparison to American programming. Why though? Where is our creativity? Are we not able to create just as entertaining media? In the past, even our imitations have not been as successful as their American counter-parts.

The landscape of Canadian broadcasting has been a very well oiled machine for American producers. We would buy their content, adding both revenue and advertising dollars to their budgets. Season after season, this cycle would repeat. Their entertainment filled our primetime hours, and still is. Recently Canadian producers have seen a new breath of life in their work, it stems from co-national productions. A few of those TV shows:

·      Rookie Blue

·      Flashpoint

From left to right: Ronnie Seterdahl Negus, Christina Kiesel,
Jody Claman, Mary Zilba and Reiko MacKenzie.
Stars of Real Housewives of Vancouver.

The success of these shows has built the foundation for Canadian viewers to be interested in Canadian content. That’s why I believe new Canadian spin-offs will be more successful then their predecessors. Real Housewives of Vancouver, following the lives of 5 wives with intense drama and backstabbing, was met with mediocre reviews but successful viewership ratings. The same applies to the newest addition to the spin-off family, The Bachelor. The show had huge viewership, lots of press coverage and has been deemed a success in all aspects. There is more to come; Big Brother Canada is currently casting. What will come of these shows, and the future of Canadian spin-offs? No one can really know, these days the success of any TV show can quickly dissipate. What I do believe however is that there has been a change in tide, Canadian television may not be as dull as it once was and is slowly growing some muscle internationally.

Photos from: The National Post and Slice.ca

Is social media changing the way we watch TV?

Today, social media has become a key aspect in television shows. Social media has become an essential part of TV viewing and has changed the way that many people watch their favourite TV shows. Now you can have to opportunity to interact with your favourite characters, actors and other fans.

Shows now have Facebook Fan Pages and Twitter accounts, and provide fans with the opportunity to "live tweet" or “live blog” with the use of hashtags throughout the show to interact with their fans.

Hashtags

Hashtags are now seen at the bottom of television screens, with shows encouraging their viewers to interact online and voice their opinion. Tweets and comments from fans are often displayed on screens as well, and can be used in television shows. You can also track hashtags, which allows other viewers to hear what other people are saying about their favourite show.

Talking to your favourite characters and actors

Ever want to talk to your favourite character? Well, it’s now becoming more and more common for fans to talk to their favourite characters. Television shows like Degrassi, Glee and Community have created character Twitter accounts.

Fans now have the opportunity interact with their favourite characters and even have conversations with them! This also provides fans with a behind the scenes look at characters lives “outside” of the show another way to see interaction with characters.

Do you like to interact with others through social media when watching your favourite television shows?