NY EASTENDERS CRISIS, HERE WE GO AGAIN
Editorial By Larry Jaffee
EastEnders once again faces an uncertain future in the New York area as the result of WLIW switching its time to Fridays at midnight from Saturdays at 10 p.m.
Station executives insist that it's not a prelude to cancellation. However, WLIW has not set up EastEnders to succeed, and has not actively fundraised around it since 2005. Instead, it has relied mainly on a few special events — the last being a tea — that have limited appeal.
Further complicating the situation is the April 28 news announcement by BBC World News a new partnership with KCET to secure the future of its broadcasts on public television in the U.S.
The Southern California public television station, which does not broadcast EastEnders, will distribute daily newscasts on behalf of BBC World News, once the current agreement with WLIW expires in October this year.
That deal was part of a BBC package that at one time included EastEnders, according to a source.
And while it may sound self-serving, WLIW since the summer of 2006 decided no longer to use the Walford Gazette as a thank-you gift for reasons that never were specifically spelled out.
I believe that its indifference towards the Gazette lies in Channel 21 management being thoroughly embarrassed by The New York Times reporting twice that fans had to take it upon themselves to raise the necessary funds to cover the BBC's annual license fee, and thus, reverse a cancellation decision in January 2005.
Simply put, we made them look bad, and they've never forgiven us. Never mind that the newspaper from 1996-2005 was responsible for netting WLIW about a half a million dollars. Never mind that the newspaper was instrumental in bringing over several of the EastEnders actors for in-studio pledges.
They felt it wasn't worth the effort to continue to do so.
But to the station's credit, they had kept it on the air, even though they've never been happy about it.
In any case, the March announcement circulated by e-mail was ominous.
"With your continued support WLIW21 will not be removing EastEnders from the broadcast schedule in the foreseeable future."
The problem with that statement is that as long as viewers are not given on-air opportunities to contribute, there's little chance for it to succeed.
From the looks of it, they're looking for an excuse to cancel.
Back to the station's explanation:
"WLIW21's Station Manager and Programming staff considered feedback from EastEnders fans, WLIW21 supporters and viewers in making this decision. WLIW21's Programming and Communications departments whole-heartedly feel that we will better service our viewers with this time change for the following reasons:
1) Based on ratings and research, WLIW21's EastEnders? slumber party marathons on Saturdays at midnight are more popular than the airings Saturdays at 10 pm. We believe moving the series regular timeslot to Fridays at midnight will better service fans and viewers, along with the continued monthly Saturday marathons.
WG Comment: Without seeing the actual ratings, it's impossible to ascertain what's actually happening. More likely, the station's new programming manager simply had other plans for such a coveted prime-time spot.
2) WLIW21 has taken into consideration viewer complaints about EastEnders pre-emption during fundraising drives. Since Midnight programming is less prone to pre-emption, we believe the new timeslot will help improve WLIW21's broadcast continuity of the series and, in turn, provide greater viewer satisfaction.
Please keep in mind that EastEnders is the only British drama that receives year-round broadcasts on WLIW21, unlike the popular British comedies and mysteries, which rotate regularly in WLIW21's line-up. Similarly, WLIW21 is the only channel in the New York-metro area that broadcasts the series. The only other way to watch EastEnders on TV in the U.S. is via the pay, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service DISH Network's DISH On Demand PPV.
WG Comment: Yes, EastEnders is special, which is why it was carried by WLIW in the first place—to differentiate itself from WNYC, which now controls both stations.
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What to do: Complain to the station
Terrel Cass
President & General Manager
WLIW21
Plainview, NY 11803
tel:
e-mail:
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Fans wasted no time reacting to the WLIW's time change, as evidenced by the following letters to the Walford Gazette:
I was dismayed... no, actually pretty annoyed to see WLIW advertising, its move of EastEnders from absolute center-stage prime-time of Saturdays 10-11 p.m.here in NY to obscure non-primetime Friday midnight to 1 a.m. as an "EastEnders SLUMBER PARTY."
What do they think we are? Idiots? "EE Slumber Parties" are when we get four EXTRA episodes, in ADDITION to the regular two on the same evening with the EXTRAS appearing at 12 a.m. following the two episodes that start at 10 p.m.
WLIW insists it has "tried" everything to accommodate EE fans. So what they have done is cancel pledge nights, which is the only way we can help fund the licensing costs. And the rare time do have a brief pledge night, they don't offer enticing thank you gifts. Not to mention it's scheduled at an inconvenient obscure time.
I, for one, do not fail to recognize what's happening here, or as my deceased dad used to say, have someone spit at you and call it rain.
EE fans may be flexible and generous, but we are not dumb.
All the best,
Carol Berger
Jamaica, NY
WLIW has moved our favorite program to Friday at midnight with no consideration of the implications for the fans. Are they trying to diminish viewership so they can cancel it forever?
Philip Lankford
Malverne, NY
Are you aware that WLIW-21 has moved back EastEnders to Saturday at midnight starting on April 5th? At the end of last week's episodes, a voice-over said that EE "moves to a new time starting next week."
Thank God for VCRs!
The website schedule for April shows EE listed for midnight for the entire month, so I think it's permanent. Keep up the good work!
Could this be the beginning of the end?
A concerned fan,
Warren G. Harris
New York, NY
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