Lionsgate films now available on Apple's iTunes Store - Page 2

Originally Posted by sunilraman

In Australia we know get a "version" of Sci-Fi channel (full branding, etc..) but it shows delayed material compared to the US. This is only on CableTV (Foxtel, the only major mainstream pay TV available in Australia).

Other than that, we depend on free-to-air, particularly Channels 7,9, and 10. Channel ABC and SBS, those are pretty much lost causes ... Though SBS is innovative and "arty", for example yonks ago they used to show Aeon Flux, not the CharlizeTheron one, the original animated MTV version.

Channel 7 here has ponied up the big bucks to start of Heroes Season 1, 24 Season 6, PrisonBreak Season2, and starting loff Lost Season3. So just about 6-15 episodes behind the US, which is actually pretty damn good for Australian TV, particularly the "3rd ranking" Channel 7 - Channel 10 and 9 being 1st and 2nd ranked, in terms of viewership/ popularity, etc.

Originally Posted by bikerdude

Sunil, you need to check the latest ratings, 7 is easily at least second and pushing 9 hard
to be number 1.
Personally I think they all suck big time

And what makes you say the ABC are alost cause, no one else comes close with current affairs and quality journolism. The commercial channels are just turning themselves into gossip mag copy cats and trying to push every piece of crap television thet comes out of the US.

Please.

Originally Posted by bikerdude

Sunil, you need to check the latest ratings, 7 is easily at least second and pushing 9 hard to be number 1.

Originally Posted by bikerdude

Personally I think they all suck big time.

Originally Posted by bikerdude

And what makes you say the ABC are alost cause, no one else comes close with current affairs and quality journolism. The commercial channels are just turning themselves into gossip mag copy cats and trying to push every piece of crap television thet comes out of the US.

Originally Posted by bikerdude

Please.

Originally Posted by melgross

It would be upto SiFi to drop the show. If ratings aren't high enough, they will want to replace it.

Originally Posted by melgross

It is more complicated because there are so many of them. It takes just as much effort to arrange to have shows in australia as it does in the US. But there are 300 million people in the US, and how many in Australia? 30 million? Now, multiply that effort by 30, and come up with the costs to get the licenses, divided by the number of contents sold per capita. The costs are much higher.

Originally Posted by sunilraman

It's the only way to fly.......... 8) 8) 8)

Originally Posted by sunilraman

Channel 7 here has ponied up the big bucks to start of Heroes Season 1, 24 Season 6, PrisonBreak Season2, and starting loff Lost Season3. So just about 6-15 episodes behind the US, which is actually pretty damn good for Australian TV, particularly the "3rd ranking" Channel 7 - Channel 10 and 9 being 1st and 2nd ranked, in terms of viewership/ popularity, etc.

Originally Posted by bigdaddyp

I will have to give bit torrents another try. Back when I was a windoz user I tried a bit torrent client and was exposed to so many attacks I gave up on it. Any recommendations on what to use for a mac? Sorry I know its off topic but a I am still a apple newbie.

Originally Posted by bikerdude

Sorry Sunil

I do tend to take most things very seriously, I absolutely meant no offence to you and have much enjoyed reading your rants over the years, in particular you humour. But commercial tv in this country just gives me the sh@ts no end.

People seem to watch whatever is thrown at them with little regard to quality.
The latest and greatest out of the US doesn't seem to equate with qulaity in the least.
Our commercial stations here are so hooked into what ever is cheap to produce or what ever the contracts they sign make them show, bahh humbug, maybe it is just me, television for me is about information not mind numbing nothingness, but hey, each to their own, and again sorry for any insult you may have taken, it was not intended.

end rant

Originally Posted by bikerdude

If you are interested at all here is a link to a blog at the Sydney Morning Herald regarding quality of current commercial television.

http://blogs.smh.com.au/newsblog/arc...ay/009673.html

My personal favourite quote from there is below:

My preferences, in the order in which I'd prefer to watch them:
- ABC
- SBS (only lower than ABC since they began putting ads in the middle of shows)
- TVS
- The "snow" caused by switching to an untuned channel
- Paint drying
- Grass growing
- My viscera being torn out with a blunt fork
- 7, 9 and 10
- Foxtel (same shit, except now you have to pay for it)

Originally Posted by sunilraman

w000t!! Arnie stuff!!! 8) ... and "Rambo"... heh. Didn't know LionsGate was carrying those, for an "Indie" film distributor.

But it has to do with Carolco as the original producer and going bankrupt.

Carolco holds the rights to the original "StarGate" - that was cool, the original movie series before the endless endless endless TV series of SG1 and SG1:Atlantis........ And when the Gau'ld voice had still some intrigue/fear cachet.

Look forward to Terminator2, TotalRecall, Stargate. Some classic SciFi.

With regards to Melgross and Ireland, without saying or supporting one way or another, check out this Wikipedia entry and the fracking MESS international film (not to mention TV) media distribution is in.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolco_Pictures

"The assets of Carolco were later sold off to other companies, most already sold during Carolco's existence. Today, the ancillary rights to a majority of Carolco's library are held by French production company StudioCanal, while CBS Paramount Television holds the television rights, and Lions Gate continues to hold the US/Canadian home video rights (via a new output deal with StudioCanal), while the international home video rights are held by a different company for each country—for example, the UK rights are with Momentum Pictures (a subsidiary of Alliance Atlantis), and the Australian rights rest with Universal Studios. The only Carolco films not included in the deal are Cliffhanger, Aces: Iron Eagle III, Last of the Dogmen, and Showgirls; the rights to these have been retained by their original theatrical distributors (TriStar Pictures, New Line Cinema, Savoy Pictures/HBO, and United Artists, respectively)."

Mmm... So for Terminator 2, let's see, there's like at least 5 companies to deal with. For about 3-5 countries. Fun.

Mmm... I bet the people working at Apple iTunes Store, I think that's where the friggin new Apple buildings are going to hold -- all the people trying to sort out these deals with all this variety of companies.

Originally Posted by bigdaddyp

I want to watch Top Gear in the Us but unfortunately The Discovery channel decided to stop showing the U.k. version and make their own. I know Clarkson hates Americans but I still miss the big dope.

Originally Posted by Ireland

Lord forgive their melodramatic ways. Apple opened their first store in the US in 2001, and still to this day England is the only country in Europe with Apple stores. Give me a break.

Originally Posted by sunilraman

Look forward to Terminator2, TotalRecall, Stargate. Some classic SciFi.

Originally Posted by Ireland

I like Top Gear, but Clarkson can be a bit of a pig.

I'm really at a loss to see any value in buying movies from iTunes. Lower quality video, lower quality audio, no bonus features, no subtitles, no alternate audio languages. No ability to burn it to a become a regular DVD video. Especially using these 3 movies as an example; they are all readily available at local retailers like Walmart or Target for less than the $9.99 they'll cost on iTunes. Inferior product for a higher price, what a wonderful concept!

Originally Posted by caliminius

Wow, that's disturbing to see those movies called "classics." Not that I don't actually enjoy all 3 of them, but I'd only consider T2 as a classic...and the other's as just shut-off-the-brain-and-enjoy flicks (despite Total Recall being based off a Philip K. Dick story, it becomes hokey rather fast).

Unfortunately, I much prefer the extended version of T2 that isn't available on iTunes. And I much prefer my movies in 5.1 digital surround, which also isn't available on iTunes either.

I'm really at a loss to see any value in buying movies from iTunes. Lower quality video, lower quality audio, no bonus features, no subtitles, no alternate audio languages. No ability to burn it to a become a regular DVD video. Especially using these 3 movies as an example; they are all readily available at local retailers like Walmart or Target for less than the $9.99 they'll cost on iTunes. Inferior product for a higher price, what a wonderful concept!

Originally Posted by bigdaddyp

I think that is part of the reason that I like the show. Since it is funded by the government Top Gear is much more brutal and honest then any add supported show can be in the U.S.

Originally Posted by caliminius

...((Terminator2, TotalRecall, Stargate. Some classic SciFi.))...Wow, that's disturbing to see those movies called "classics." Not that I don't actually enjoy all 3 of them, but I'd only consider T2 as a classic...and the other's as just shut-off-the-brain-and-enjoy flicks (despite Total Recall being based off a Philip K. Dick story, it becomes hokey rather fast).

Originally Posted by melgross

When you're a youngster like Sunil, or have forgotten much of your life do to drug use (like Sunil ), anything more than a year old seems like a classic.

Originally Posted by GregAlexander

There was certainly an issue of scifi wanting to pay less than MGM wanted to charge - and neither backing down. (The ratings have been pretty good.) And that's the way capitalism works


Agreed - there are so many countries with their own sets of distributors, and the number of companies makes it very difficult. I was responding to bigdaddyp, who said other countries had more complicated setups internally. Anyway - we have 20million (not sure why I need to multiply that by 30!?) and it sure is a less appealing place to invest Apple's time.

And as I said - Apple haven't even setup iPhoto album printing here (though a couple of enterprising printers have some options) and that is a far easier task.

Originally Posted by bikerdude

Sorry Sunil

I do tend to take most things very seriously, I absolutely meant no offence to you and have much enjoyed reading your rants over the years, in particular you humour. But commercial tv in this country just gives me the sh@ts no end.

People seem to watch whatever is thrown at them with little regard to quality.
The latest and greatest out of the US doesn't seem to equate with qulaity in the least.
Our commercial stations here are so hooked into what ever is cheap to produce or what ever the contracts they sign make them show, bahh humbug, maybe it is just me, television for me is about information not mind numbing nothingness, but hey, each to their own, and again sorry for any insult you may have taken, it was not intended.

end rant

Originally Posted by melgross

It's very expensive to produce shows with good production values, to name just one aspect of a show. When the local market is small, the money isn't there. As to the quality of the shows from an entertainment perspective other that the production values, it's hard to say.


US shows seem to be very popular around the world. There must be a reason.

Originally Posted by bikerdude

In this country there is legislation that dictates how much locally produced content has to be aired each week, (can't quite remeber the numbers at a the moment). So the local FTA networks, there are only 3, spend as little as possible on local content, in almost all cases it is reality tv or game shows.
The networks then spend the rest of the programming budgets on supposed news and current affairs (mostly just irritainment as someone earlier nicely quoted).
Most the rest of the programing money goes on American content.
If an FTA chaneel wants to buy say Lost, they negotiate deals that give them the rights to that one particualr show but also ties them into buying dozens of other BAD shows that that must also air or they do not get the rights the next time they are negotiated.

I am sure there is a reason, and certainly they are the best of the bunch that our networks purchase, but these shows make no differences to people lives, they do not educate or inform, they simply numb away the time for a mostly listless population who could not be bothered to look for anything else.

Generalisation, sure, but also fairly accurate in much of the world I believe.

Lowest commen demonitaor stuff, glossed up with fancy editing and camera shots with the aim of nothing in particular.

My my I do go on don't I.

Originally Posted by melgross

Some people have the wrong idea about entertainment.

They believe that it should inform, and teach.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Entertainment, by the very word that is used to label it, is just that, something to occupy your time with interesting and enjoyable folly. It certainly doesn't have to be useful in any other way. It's a filler.

The fact that so many countries feel as though they must legislate a certain amount of locally produced programming shows that the local programming isn't entertaining the local population. The reason why is only important to those who produce such things (and the frustrated governments, the "protectors" of the local culture).

Mindless shows do serve a purpose. They take people's minds off their daily drudgery, or boredom, on the job, and in their social life.

The fact that locally produced shows are what they are is because those producers have given up trying to compete with what is imported. Again, it's all a matter of money. This goes back decades. The situation that exists now is just the long term result of failed local competition from long ago. They gave up, and don't seriously try any longer.

The question, as we see it in France, the supposed bastion of European culture (and as far as they are concerned, of the entire world), that local people aren't impressed enough with their own culture to make works based upon it profitable, or even watchable. Ergo, few in France want to watch French programming, so Canal is paid for by the government, for the most part, and the French won't allow anyone to buy it who isn't French. If Canal disappeared, as it would without that government requirement, there would be almost no French programming, and the French people would be happier for it.

Originally Posted by melgross

...Mindless shows do serve a purpose. They take people's minds off their daily drudgery, or boredom, on the job, and in their social life...

Originally Posted by melgross

The fact that locally produced shows are what they are is because those producers have given up trying to compete with what is imported. Again, it's all a matter of money. This goes back decades. The situation that exists now is just the long term result of failed local competition from long ago. They gave up, and don't seriously try any longer.

Originally Posted by melgross

The question, as we see it in France, the supposed bastion of European culture (and as far as they are concerned, of the entire world), that local people aren't impressed enough with their own culture to make works based upon it profitable, or even watchable. Ergo, few in France want to watch French programming, so Canal is paid for by the government, for the most part, and the French won't allow anyone to buy it who isn't French. If Canal disappeared, as it would without that government requirement, there would be almost no French programming, and the French people would be happier for it.

Originally Posted by bikerdude

On a side note, do you currently reside in France or the US, if you are in France, don't drink the beer!

Originally Posted by bikerdude

...Eddie Mcwanker....

Originally Posted by bikerdude

...Lex....other than he is evil of course....

Originally Posted by sunilraman

Heh. Australia in-joke, in case other forum viewers are wondering.
*sniff* I'm going to miss Australia.
But, I guess I need to find a new City to live in to add to my list.

Originally Posted by bikerdude

Come and try Sydney mate, beautiful women, beautiful beaches, wonderful trafic jams, public transport that gets you where you need to be ( a day late), just make sure you have lots and lots of money, unless you like the simple life, as I do, and do not require food, clothes , any kind of life that costs anything.

Originally Posted by bikerdude

Well put mel and I do understand that which you say, althught you put far better than I, I just find it a shame that most, so called "Entertainement" , in this country anyway is so unworthy of the title.
I would also state that entertainement is far, or at least can be, far more than that, it can be entertaining to be informed and learning can be entertaining.
Wishful thinking I know, but I do not see why said entertainment has to be of the lowest form available, ie - big brother, biggest loser and all the other, lets say below par, programs that hit our screens.

I believe people watch itsimply because it is all that is offered buy money hungry newtorks more interested in advertising that in their audiences. And yes I understand they need to make money also.
Most of the recent shows made locally in Australia are made by independent groups/companies and shown on Pay TV because the FTA networks are simply scared of change.

On a side note, do you currently reside in France or the US, if you are in France, don't drink the beer!

Originally Posted by melgross

It's also why classical music, and even jazz, has almost disappeared from the recording scene.

Originally Posted by JeffDM

Aren't those genres partly responsible for that? At least for classical, I've seen several people point out that the average tempo of classical performances has slowed down alot from a century ago.