Guys Find Other Activities Besides TV

from the TV?--that-old-thing...? dept

It hadn't really occurred to me until recently, but I can't remember the last time I really talked to anyone about a TV show. Most of my friends just don't watch that much TV any more. Apparently, we're not alone. Guys in the 18 to 34 demographic - often considered the most important for television viewers - are finding other things to do with their time. Mostly, those other things seem to revolve around the internet and video games. There just doesn't seem to be much of a compelling reason to watch TV. It seems that TV execs are going to have to realize they're not just competing against other TV execs for people's free time any more. As the article points out, for many guys, the ability to connect with other guys or to get into a really good storyline associated with a video game beats watching the latest reality TV series. Update: Dan Bricklin, talking about a totally unrelated article, points out that watching TV is a health hazard. While sitting at a computer or playing a video game certainly isn't wonderful - a study has found that the worst sedentary behavior is watching TV, because it's so passive (and because people tend to eat while watching TV).
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  • identicon
    dorpus, 30 Mar 2004 @ 12:00am

    Exotic TV

    I don't own a TV, but whenever I'm in a hotel room, I'm fascinated by the magic box that plays shows. It's been the highlight of every vacation.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    martin g, 30 Mar 2004 @ 4:19am

    dross

    Could there possibly be a link I wonder, between your headline "Even The Kids Today Think Modern Music Sucks" and this one ?
    The TV suits have been relentlessly dumbing-down TV output in the UK for a decade or so. I guess they've been doing it longer in the US.
    They could get ratings back up again if they reversed the trend - but that costs money - and needs imagination and creativity. Most of the ( expensive) imaginative/creative types were fired years back.
    Much more likely they'll opt for more shows like 'Topless Ladies Football Autosport'

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      tekkie, 30 Mar 2004 @ 6:15am

      Re: dross

      Topless ladies? I'm there.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      thecaptain, 30 Mar 2004 @ 6:21am

      Re: dross

      Or "Survivor 18...some other far away pit we dragged our cameras to"

      The relenteless dumbing down of our society by the powers that be seems to be de rigueur for a long time now and for a long time to come. Schools no longer teach critical thinking and intelligence is not only trivialized but completely disrespected.

      A sad state of affairs.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    mike, 30 Mar 2004 @ 7:54am

    No Subject Given

    Stupid shows, cliched plots, inane dialog and trite gladhanding "personalities" all interrupted every 5 minutes to shout at you about what a loser you are unless you buy some equally useless product. What's not to love?

    I had a 42" tv that died recently and was considerring a replacement when it occured to me I barely ever turned it on since FOx killed Futurama and the Family Guy.

    The overpaid morons in TV land can suck my nuts.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Austin Shau, 30 Mar 2004 @ 8:37am

    TV sucks

    Family Guy is rumored to return in January of 2005. Other than that and some sports, TV sucks -- agreed. Reality TV is a poisonous trend...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      AMetamorphosis, 30 Mar 2004 @ 11:43am

      Family Guy



      But who cares if " Family Guy " is coming back on regular TV when I can buy the seasons on DVD, watch them @ MY convenience AND avoid commercials ...

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        thecaptain, 30 Mar 2004 @ 12:53pm

        Re: Family Guy

        Hell yah...amen to that.

        The only problem I have is that some series take some d*mn long between seasons to get released...

        Example, CSI gets released in a day or two (season 3)..been waiting almost a full year for that.

        link to this | view in chronology ]


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