Is it all about the money?

[ProfessorLoco]

Something that really bothered me about GN was the ancillary moneymaking actions.  TV show, touring, books, "Insiders", etc......  This really got me down.  I've been listening to AB since 92 or so.  So happy about the guests and quality of sound.  I subscribe....happily.  However, I'm getting the feeling that some other people are in control...and they want to get paid......   Any thoughts?

[indigoo]

Something that really bothered me about GN was the ancillary moneymaking actions.  TV show, touring, books, "Insiders", etc......  This really got me down.  I've been listening to AB since 92 or so.  So happy about the guests and quality of sound.  I subscribe....happily.  However, I'm getting the feeling that some other people are in control...and they want to get paid......   Any thoughts?

You're just paranoid, I'd say. Not sure what would make you think that. Because the sound quality is good?

[Daggit]

Something that really bothered me about GN was the ancillary moneymaking actions.  TV show, touring, books, "Insiders", etc......  This really got me down.  I've been listening to AB since 92 or so.  So happy about the guests and quality of sound.  I subscribe....happily.  However, I'm getting the feeling that some other people are in control...and they want to get paid......   Any thoughts?

I think you have chosen an apt username.

[PING]

Something that really bothered me about GN was the ancillary moneymaking actions.  TV show, touring, books, "Insiders", etc......  This really got me down.  I've been listening to AB since 92 or so.  So happy about the guests and quality of sound.  I subscribe....happily.  However, I'm getting the feeling that some other people are in control...and they want to get paid......   Any thoughts?

A lot of that is probably Dave's corporate bosses wanting to suck every dime out of the poor saps that still listen to C2C. I'm sure Premiere gets a cut of whatever he does, so the more he whores himself out the more they make.

When Art does live reads for www.vaguelyloveabledating.com, start worrying. Until then, put the keyboard down and go for a walk.

[dan7800]

If Art wanted more money, he would have more commercials.

[karios8]

If Art wanted more money, he would have more commercials.

Period!

[trostol]

If Art wanted more money, he would have more commercials.

and TT would cost more

[Wintermute]

I'm a listener from the 1990's as well.

Time Traveler took a 60% bump for no real reason.
Time Traveler messages rarely are used on air. That leaves show recordings which are easily DIY.

The book "The Quickening: Today's Trends, Tomorrow's World" ...the opposite of intellect and poorly edited.
The book "The Source: Journey Through the Unexplained" ...little more than a pseudo-sci 101.
The book "The Coming Global Superstorm"...disaster pr0n for the paranoid.

Look, I don't mind people trying to make a living. Heck, regular ad breaks are fine with me. I get it, he is catering to an under-served market -> people who want to believe wacky stuff. What I do mind is framing this as anything other than a for-profit venture. This isn't some grass-roots thing. No one is saving kittens. Art Bell is a well known media personality and is doing a semi-independent podcast show. That in it self is wonderful and I find Bell, most nights, to be entertaining. I'm happy he is around.

Just don't make it out to be some sort of "kumbaya, we are taking back the night from corporate greed" thing. That's not what is happening here. This is commerce... you are paying for an entertainment service. You don't own the show. You aren't part of a cause that's trying to make the world a better place. You are just a fan that is willing to pay $5-$8 for something that is basically free away.

But that's up to you... and I'm totally cool either way.

[ProfessorLoco]

Thanks, for the fresh air.  It seems that Art was selling himself with the "Fight the Power" credo after the SirusXm debacle, which I thought was fine.  But now....but now, going terrestrial and encouraging folks who are supporting them with their hard earned dollars (Yes, I am one) to pick up the phone and demand PD's pick up his show.  Hell, I still download George Knapp shows on C2C from a guy on youtube....FOR FREE.  What am I paying for?  What's going to stop someone with a rotating youtube account from doing the same thing when this show goes backward to regular radio?  For sixty bucks a year, I can find other things to spend my money on.  Honestly, I feel a little used and tooled here.  Some of the previous responses to my post seem more at home on the C2C 'insider' chat-room.  I'll try to speak to this issue on the phone with Art.

[DynamoHum]

It's not about the money. It's about revenge, it's about replacing bad with good, it's about righting wrongs. Taking back the night, one city at a time. It's going to be done steadily, and every drop is going to be savoured methinks.

[Coz]

It's not about the money. It's about revenge, it's about replacing bad with good, it's about righting wrongs. Taking back the night, one city at a time. It's going to be done steadily, and every drop is going to be savoured methinks.

I hope it's not about revenge. That's usually a recipe for disaster. However, there may be a point of justice which is addressed.

The idea of self funded, self promoted, open-source media was not around during Art's broadcast heyday. Now, he can be in total control of everything going on.

In this situation, internet shows rise and fall on their quality. Art is rising very quickly.

[ProfessorLoco]

So the question still stands.  Why go terrestrial?  For ....Uhhhhhhgh....   Can I cancel this thread?.....please! Hmmmmmm...  Guess I'll keep paying until I can easily get it for free.  Should I have my subscription revoked for not kissing rings or supporting the 'Alternative' party line.  Should've gone to Burning Man this year....with all the trendsetters here.  Judging by some of the comments.....I should have my subscription revoked!  I'd like to say that this is not a competition....I guess.  Although I'd also guess that some posters might be better off prognosticating 'professional' sports instead.  If I can't get Knapp, Wells, and Bell on the same show each week, I'll have to do a little key-tapping.  Hey, at least we don't live in North Korea, where I can cure my smoking addition, AND lose weight at the same time.  Oh, are you still reading this.   FFS!  move on and pick a fight with some 'idiot' poster.  Nothing to see here folks....

[Tarbaby]

You're working yourself into a frazzle!

[norland2424]

So the question still stands.  Why go terrestrial?  For ....Uhhhhhhgh....   Can I cancel this thread?.....please! Hmmmmmm...  Guess I'll keep paying until I can easily get it for free.  Should I have my subscription revoked for not kissing rings or supporting the 'Alternative' party line.  Should've gone to Burning Man this year....with all the trendsetters here.  Judging by some of the comments.....I should have my subscription revoked!  I'd like to say that this is not a competition....I guess.  Although I'd also guess that some posters might be better off prognosticating 'professional' sports instead.  If I can't get Knapp, Wells, and Bell on the same show each week, I'll have to do a little key-tapping.  Hey, at least we don't live in North Korea, where I can cure my smoking addition, AND lose weight at the same time.  Oh, are you still reading this.   FFS!  move on and pick a fight with some 'idiot' poster.  Nothing to see here folks....

stop crying and take your damn meds  :

[Barfly]

stop crying and take your damn meds  :

Personally i prefer a shot and a beer, with a bit of porn before i goto bed.

[scottydawg]

Something that really bothered me about GN was the ancillary moneymaking actions.  TV show, touring, books, "Insiders", etc......  This really got me down.  I've been listening to AB since 92 or so.  So happy about the guests and quality of sound.  I subscribe....happily.  However, I'm getting the feeling that some other people are in control...and they want to get paid......   Any thoughts?

Gee if you think about it reminds one of the Star Trek conventions, novels, action figures and endless new and improved VHS/DVD/BluRay sets! Time for a Darth Snoory action figure!   To the Shapeways Factory! And of course the Art Solo/Chewhoagie set too!

[Autistic Star Children]

I think this is more personal than it is about money

Art's more determined to take down his competition. I think that's good for us as listeners. He's committed to giving a good product. 

[slippingaway]

I think this is more personal than it is about money

Art's more determined to take down his competition. I think that's good for us as listeners. He's committed to giving a good product. 

Is it revenge, or justice that Art seeks? I think he feels wronged by Sirius and Premiere, and justifiably so.  Art built that empire and he didn't like where the show started to head after CBC sold to Premiere.  He made a fair amount on the sale, but he's been 'round the world several times on that money, and I imagine he wants to make sure his progeny never has a want or care for money.

Art has always been a man of great conviction, and I applaud his tenacity in dethroning Premiere, which is just another soulless company with more rights than citizens.  Art is the once and future king of late night talk, and I, for one, think WE benefit the most.

I'm about 85% certain that Art is back is because he got sick of his reputation being tarnished by inferior hosts at the helm of Coast (his brainchild).  Everyone else complained enough to make him come out of retirement!

[Wintermute]

The justice and revenge argument is silly to me.

Every man makes his own bed. We all have to make Faustian bargains in life sooner or later because there are no perfect conditions. And I firmly believe that people treat you as well as you allow them to. And this is the USA; a place where you can get 2nd,3rd,4th,5th,6th,7th chances if you put your mind to it.

The concept of revenge... it is something done in vengeance; to exact punishment from a vindictive ego source. I don't understand why or how people would support that kind of thought process.

The concept of justice is a moral principal of equitableness... it's not just punishment, it is also reward, just as the balance scales work. For every debit there is a credit. That is supposedly a founding principal of the USA and a human right. Easy to get behind.

If anything, I think the fanatics of Art Bell are creating the narrative more-so than Art himself this time around. You could argue the SXM thing was revenge b/c of his baggage airing nights 1 & 2. He created that narrative by hanging folks out to dry publicly. And we saw how well that worked out for Art.

I don't think (or I hope not) that Art Bell MiTD is out of vengeance because that is pretty weak for a 70yr old podcaster who paid the price last time around. Justice, no, simply doesn't fit the context. Art Bell came back for two reasons: 1. He really enjoys pseudo-sci radio talk and at one point he was the best at it.  2. He is after extra income for providing the service outlined in the previous sentence. Neither are inherently bad things.

[RickySsan]

Something that really bothered me about GN was the ancillary moneymaking actions.  TV show, touring, books, "Insiders", etc......  This really got me down.  I've been listening to AB since 92 or so.  So happy about the guests and quality of sound.  I subscribe....happily.  However, I'm getting the feeling that some other people are in control...and they want to get paid......   Any thoughts?

Here's a question, why do people want everything for free? someone puts time into getting the show on air etc. they need to pay the rent, groceries etc. 

S

[Wintermute]

Here's a question, why do people want everything for free? someone puts time into getting the show on air etc. they need to pay the rent, groceries etc. 

Dude you are opening up a heck of a philosophical discussion! hahaha.

But, with-in the bounds of Art Bell, podcasting, and radio:
1. The majority of Art Bell's contemporaries in online streaming / podcasting derive revenue from ads, not subscriptions.
2. DIY recording an internet stream is darn close to free no matter the stream: https://streamwriter.org/
3. No one owns electro-magnetism, whether it be a radio signal or digital impulse on a wire.

We can blather all day long about how US economics is post-capitalism and free with ad support is the way of things, but I think you are smart person and can see where I am going. A subscription to something which is free elsewhere + almost free to DIY has very little value to those of us that know better.

[ProfessorLoco]

Great post.

[Gassy Man]

The question is why wouldn't Art want to make money?  But he's doing it with considerably more integrity and professionalism than that other guy.  He's not trying to gouge anyone, he's keeping commercials to a minimum, and he's enthusiastic about what he's doing.

[Wintermute]

The question is why wouldn't Art want to make money?  But he's doing it with considerably more integrity and professionalism than that other guy.  He's not trying to gouge anyone, he's keeping commercials to a minimum, and he's enthusiastic about what he's doing.

Why wouldn't Art want to make money?  -  Can't argue with that. I'm not a fan of people doing things just for exposure-sake because it rarely pays off. Either it's a hobby, or it's commerce. So I'm not arguing against making money.

...More integrity and professionalism than that other guy...  -  I think that can be debated because the bar is pretty low in the paranormal space. I did, however, compare Art to some contemporaries in online streaming / podcasting. And in that sense I'd argue that he isn't more professional and he has an outdated concept of premium service.

He's not trying to gouge anyone...  -  I agree. Mainly because anyone that paid $5 for "premium services" is still at that $5 billing level. If he turned every account to $8, then wooo... we'd have something to talk about.

...he's keeping commercials to a minimum...  -  Nope, I disagree. Compared the his contemporaries I have highlighted above, he has more commercial time. He's stuck in this pre-2006 radio monetizing paradigm. Honestly though, I don't mind commercials as long as it doesn't exceed 20% of the broadcast time. 20% is the broadcast talk radio golden rule... anything more and your listeners start flipping the dial. TV sitcoms follow a very similar rule. BUT... if you have commercials, where is the value-add to the consumer that's already paying for a premium service?

...he's enthusiastic about what he's doing...  -  Probably the best part of this go-a-round. Glad to hear a healthy, happy Art Bell from the high desert. But, if you are a media personality and you don't seem happy doing what you are doing, well then you are failing. Has nothing to do with $$$.

[ProfessorLoco]

That's why as a paying subscriber, I feel that having the advertisements removed from the podcasts that are available to me are worth it for now.  I know, I know.  I can stream it for free right now...if I'd get off my ass.  Maybe later.  However, the greatest blow to the enjoyment of this show could be an exponential increase of listeners leading to a very remote chance to interact with the host.  It was good to get in a few times and have a short talk.  When I can't get through, I'll probably just go the free route.  These situations crop up more often....kind of a quickening, I guess.  Organically, things flow...