TV fare

[andybrooks]

I dunno what the TV fare is like in the UK these days, but it must be getting close to rock bottom here in the USA. The ?Travel Channel?, ?Discovery Channel?, ?History Channel?, and even the ?Science Channel? are full of pseudoscience, ancient (and modern) aliens, and paranormal reality-show woo-woo. Channel surfing today I saw scuba gear, so I hung around long enough to watch a bit of ?Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch? which featured some folks allegedly looking for gold in a flooded cave. Two divers went in with substandard open-water dive gear (no backup second stages), poor technique, and a base fed rope (it wasn't clear to me how they were both attached to the rope in poor viz). The next day one of them made a second dive, portrayed as incredibly heroic because there was no viz. To solve this problem he allegedly carried a GPS device into the cave so that his buddy on the other end of the rope (on the surface) could watch his progress overlaid on a cave map and tell him which way to turn (btw no communication cable was evident either). I gave up at that point as my brain was starting to rot.

 

[Graigwen]

I have been doing a lot of grandchild minding recently at my daughter's house, this gives me access to a huge range of channels that I do not normally watch.

I was shocked at the standard of many supposedly science or history "documentaries".

"... full of pseudoscience, ancient (and modern) aliens, and paranormal reality-show woo-woo." Indeed.

I suppose it is partly down to production costs - it is cheaper to make bad TV than good.  I suppose these programmes must go down OK with most viewers, performing an entertainment rather than educational function, but I find it depressing.

.

 

[royfellows]

I dont own a TV and have not now for many years. More freedom of choice, and no adds (uBlock Origin) even on YouTube, - on the Internet.

 

[pwhole]

I suppose it is partly down to production costs - it is cheaper to make bad TV than good.  I suppose these programmes must go down OK with most viewers, performing an entertainment rather than educational function, but I find it depressing.

Most of these docs rely heavily on looped footage too, so they'll show the same sequence five times for 'maximum impact', when in reality they just didn't have any more footage. It's good that there's more underground stuff on TV now, but it is largely very lightweight. But then the viewers are only just coming to terms with the concept of underground even existing. And as specialists, it's very easy for us to scoff, but specialism can bring its own broadcast nightmares. Watch a programme on carp-fishing for example - it's actually put me off fishing!

 

[grahams]

I bought a TV licence about 4 years ago to watch a hyped up show (more fool me) called The Bodyguard. It was utterly ridiculous cliched tripe. ITV seemed totally moronic and the BBC had descended into pro-EU propaganda, baking shows and woke nonsense. What happened - the BBC used to be great.

The basic problem is that the BBC and ITV simply can't compete with YouTube which covers most of human life from DiY to potholing although you do have to be choosy about your sources.

Needless to say the TV licence was cancelled sharpish although the cheeky b-----s managed to charge double the licence fee for the month. Meanwhile my 85 year old neighbour who doesn't watch any TV, pays for a licence because she doesn't want to be harassed by the goons who knock on her door demanding money with menaces.

 

[aricooperdavis]

I think you just have to be a bit selective, same as YouTube. iPlayer has a surprisingly diverse range, from old crackers like The Mighty Boosh, to newer series like Around the World in 80 Days, and even a fair few films like The Kings Speech. That being said, I interface with the BBC almost exclusively through radio and podcasts.

 

[Ian Ball]

BBC Radio is magnificent in my opinion.  No problem with pro eu stances or woke culture.

 

[Wayland Smith]

Meanwhile my 85 year old neighbour who doesn't watch any TV, pays for a licence because she doesn't want to be harassed by the goons who knock on her door demanding money with menaces.

For information.
I cancelled my TV licence several years back. I found it so easy that I feel it must be a very common thing now.
I just notified them that I did not need a licence. I had to fill in a declaration, but it was simple.
I have had one letter asking me to confirm that the situation was still the same, but no problem phone calls.
Saves a fortune!

 

[Cantclimbtom]

.... It's good that there's more underground stuff on TV now..

I don't know, is there? I mean regional TV companies would consider making documentaries and local news features back in the day, but apart from a dramatic rescue it just feels like there seems less interest in UK: caving, climbing, mountaineering. I mean mainstream media coverage of climbing the old man of Hoy or linking GG to Clapham show cave -- compared to media coverage of three counties or UK climbing more recently

At least we have independent film makers, Sid Perou and Paul Diffley are just 2 examples who've always been excellent but there's a heap of others, but it's not so mainstream. As much as Red Bull can be ahem... "annoying", at least they keep some adventure in the more mainstream.

Dunno, this is an unstructured grumble and I might just be pedalling "things aren't as good as they used to be" moaning, but do you think the trend is for more coverage of this stuff?

 

[pwhole]

There's certainly been a lot more coverage of mines and underground spaces in general, and they're not all rubbish - Rob Bell does some interesting stuff, and I have seen a 'detail upgrade' in certain shows I've seen him on, so perhaps the budget does influence the amount of useful info broadcast as they have to pay researchers first?

The upward trend in mine exploration and Urbex I think has been driven far more by the internet, not least as tv companies just wouldn't be allowed to shoot and broadcast much of what is seen online without getting destroyed in court. Some of that is definitely down the perceived 'danger' aspect, as caves just don't seem to get the same degree of enthusiasm from the YouTubers. Fewer artifacts, less rotting timbers, stacked deads, etc.

Another more abstract issue is that the more you're into geology, the more interesting what we do can be, but tht's very difficult to convey onscreen in an interesting way. Iain Stewart is probably the best at 'enthusiasm for minerals', and he's also popular with the young 'uns as he's fun and gets stuck in. He even chewed coca leaves when he went into the silver mine in Bolivia

 

[EFRESHW]

I completely understand all the comments in this thread, and it's exactly why I made the TV series on caves in the first place. It was good because doing the research was fun, but it felt like I could contribute to caving culture in a way that's often misunderstood by outsiders- that caving is indeed FUN and can be done safely.
I hope to see or even create more of my own content that shows caving in a realistic light- for what it really is.

- Elise FB

 

[Caver Keith]

that caving is indeed FUN and can be done safely.
I hope to see or even create more of my own content that shows caving in a realistic light- for what it really is.
- Elise FB

That's also why I made such videos as:
Potholing - Where Big Men Get Into Small Holes,
Keith's Cavers,
Hey, Hey, We're The Dudley,
Caver Keith Goes in Search of the Real Santa Claus and
The Dudley Caving and Cakes.

 

[Ian Ball]

I completely understand all the comments in this thread, and it's exactly why I made the TV series on caves in the first place. It was good because doing the research was fun, but it felt like I could contribute to caving culture in a way that's often misunderstood by outsiders- that caving is indeed FUN and can be done safely.
I hope to see or even create more of my own content that shows caving in a realistic light- for what it really is.

- Elise FB

After a youtubetastic evening, I must say your channel gets a big  from me.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

What I do notice on most topics, not limited to caving, there's a lot of lower quality (and content pinching) on YouTube "The 10 most dangerous.." or "The 10 worst.." etc etc. But far less often do you see a "The 10 most fun.."

(although Keith and Elise certainly go in that direction, thank you)

 

[Fjell]

I think it is easier to get the public to watch a climbing film than caving, the objective is easier to understand (get to the top) and it is prettier. You can watch something like Meru and just admire the scenery.

I have never seen a caving film that conveys properly why I personally like going caving. Video of squirming through water-logged drainpipes leaves civilians puzzled. Video of a muddy dig just leaves people with an impression that van Gogh was saner all round. I tested this theory on my mum.

 

[Caver Keith]

I think it is easier to get the public to watch a climbing film than caving, the objective is easier to understand (get to the top) and it is prettier. You can watch something like Meru and just admire the scenery.

I have never seen a caving film that conveys properly why I personally like going caving. Video of squirming through water-logged drainpipes leaves civilians puzzled. Video of a muddy dig just leaves people with an impression that van Gogh was saner all round. I tested this theory on my mum.

I do have some experience in this area.
Caving/mine exploration films are no different from any other genre. For a film to be successful it has to be watchable. It needs to grab the viewers attention within the first minute or two and then sustain that interest.
As cameras and lighting have both come on leaps and bounds in the last decade, there are now many more people making videos of their underground adventures, but most them fail the watchability test - they lack a story, progression and pace, and many are far too long. It?s difficult to throw good quality video clips away, but the adage of ?less is more? will improve most films. One needs to be very brutal during the editing phase.
As for ?squirming? videos, I have to disagree, they are my most successful in terms of number of views. However they are all very short. Just to prove the point Caving Claustrophobia Kill or Cure has been watched 18,700,000 times as well as being ripped off over by over 200 other YouTubers.