I don't think I need to talk again about the whole sports betting show issue. To address the forum thread change: I'm not sure of the logic behind it. Surely people are more encouraged to get involved for the first time if they see and hear lots of other people getting involved. Reducing the volume of viewer comments by removing the forum would seem to discourage, not encourage, interaction from new viewers. There can't be much debate that the volume of viewer comment has reduced in the last week as a result of this. Twitter and e-mail comments weren't ignored in the past anyway. It has to be said that I don't use or really understand Twitter, so there may be many things I'm not aware of about it. So I'm not sure this is a change that will boost contributions to the show from new players. I know it's unlikely that I will be getting involved much in future, which is a shame for me. I'm sure everyone else will be happy to see the back of my show comments. There is also the matter of the apparently disappearing Poker School, Ask the Expert and Analyse My Play shows. These seem to be gone from the schedule, which is disappointing to those of us who enjoyed the more focused attention these brought on viewer interaction. By this I mean that I am disappointed. Many have complained since the show format was changed last year, so maybe I'm in the minority in thinking that these shows were the best of the week. Posted by BorinLoner
If they are not already Clients, then they will not, by definition, be on the Community.
The Show still gets just as many e-Mails - we now push the e-addy HARD.
Twitter? Well you say you don't understand it, which is fair enough. I think the Business does understand the very important role that Social-Media, in particular Twitter, now plays in ALL businesses. We must not ignore it, we must address it.
"Ask the Expert" & "Analyse Me Play" have NOT disappeared, but they are being moved to different nights, & freshened up.
"Poker School" is under review right now, & I'm not sure if it will return, when, or in what form.
It is disappears, then that will leave a free slot for something else.....
861 will never stand still, it will always change things around, & try to be better. It is working so far, as audience ratings have improved dramatically of late. Higher ratings achieve nothing but the massaging of egos though, as those higher audiences have to be turned into new players. That's the key.
Yeah I actually really enjoyed the cash game. Obviously it wasn't all the most serious game (but do ya really wanna watch that all the time?), but there were still a few interesting spots throughout and ultimately it was just good fun watching. I'll be looking forward to the next one anyway. Posted by Lambert180
That was exactly how it was designed to be. We took some stick, which was a bit painful for those of us that worked hard to bring it to the screens, but it achieved EXACYLY what we intended it to, so we went home happy.
We needed to convey to those who perceived poker as all serious, long faces, shades & hoodies that poker is intended to be fun, & bring a smile to the face. Poker, generally, really does need a PR makeover you know, it does not enjoy the best of reputations outside our insular world.
Tikay i obviously has different views on different things to the channel im not going to argue that.
However last night on the golf show you consistently advertised "odds checker" which i assume is a rival site. How does this help your current and future client base?
Now id understand this if you went to sky bet.
Secondly, going to the mastercash hour, you ended up showing a hand with KQ v Ax (i cant remember) they got Ace high and King hugh someone bet on the flop the other folded - this seemed like a very standard hand, surely there was better hands to show over 19 mastercash tables, or was it purely because that was a NL500 hand?
Tikay i obviously has different views on different things to the channel im not going to argue that. However last night on the golf show you consistently advertised "odds checker" which i assume is a rival site. How does this help your current and future client base? Now id understand this if you went to sky bet. Secondly, going to the mastercash hour, you ended up showing a hand with KQ v Ax (i cant remember) they got Ace high and King hugh someone bet on the flop the other folded - this seemed like a very standard hand, surely there was better hands to show over 19 mastercash tables, or was it purely because that was a NL500 hand? Sorry to sound moany. Posted by The_Don90
Oddschecker is not a rival site, it is very much part of (as in, "owned by") Sky Betting & Gaming. We want to promote as many of the "family" of companies as possible. That can't be bad for 861, if you think about it.....
One of the Guests (& some graphics) was from Oddschecker.
The other Guest was from SportingLife.com. That is also part of (as in, owned by) Sky Betting & Gaming.
The Betting Markets on the Graphics were provided by Sky Bet.
I don'y really know upon what basis the Mastercash hands were selected last night, but maybe the absence due to holiday of the regular chap - a really smashing lad, by the way, & Dan's # 1 Assistant - was the cause.
What you would not know is that there were serious technical challenges last night, which we overcome with some ad-libbing, & Rich Orford was not at all well.
In Response to Re: TV show thread : Oddschecker is not a rival site, it is very much part of (as in, "owned by") Sky Betting & Gaming. We want to promote as many of the "family" of companies as possible. That can't be bad for 861, if you think about it..... One of the Guests (& some graphics) was from Oddschecker. The other Guest was from SportingLife.com. That is also part of (as in, owned by) Sky Betting & Gaming. The Betting Markets on the Graphics were provided by Sky Bet. I don'y really know upon what basis the Mastercash hands were selected last night, but maybe the absence due to holiday of the regular chap - a really smashing lad, by the way, & Dan's # 1 Assistant - was the cause. What you would not know is that there were serious technical challenges last night, which we overcome with some ad-libbing, & Rich Orford was not at all well. Posted by Tikay10
Ah this makes much more sense now. Amazing how big the BSkyB group is.
Wasnt meant as a dig to the hand selector guy, i actually assumed its because there happened to be a high stake game on - i have nothing against high stake hands being shown. It just seemed a weird hand to choose.
Rich didn't seem in great shape at all, he done well to soldier on.
Dont use twitter and never will, have e-mailed in a few times, but it's so easy to just use the forum. I watched sky poker before i joined but never e-mailed, now i e-mail most shows. So there might be lots of non members who watch the show but how many twitt or e-mail. So if members stop or slow down sending in messages, will the show suffer ? Posted by tomo_efc
No, not at such, but that is not the idea.
The Show will only suffer if it fails to do the job is it designed to do.
Messages are an accessory to that, an ingredient which goes into the overall mix.
We hope viewers will continue to send in e-Mails, Tweets, or ask questions via the Community.
I understand that viewers who aren't already players are not on the forum. The thrust of my point was that viewers are more likely to interact with the show if they hear lots of other people doing so, regardless of the medium used. Reducing the volume of established player contribution surely just reduces the overall volume. I don't see how it increases interaction from new contributors or new customers.
I understand why the Poker School might be shelved. After the first few months of the show, it was apparent that new topics were a bit thin on the ground and it also must be pretty difficult to find hands that are both interesting and display the ideas being discussed. I'm glad the other shows mentioned aren't being dropped, though.
The Cash Game was very good. I didn't agree with many of the criticisms at all. There was one I did agree with, though, and would hope could be avoided somehow in future. I don't hold Norman Whiteside's time at Man Utd against him and without wishing to disrespect him, he and some of the other sports stars were clearly out of their depth. It seems incongruous with the image that the show was trying to project to have this sporting "hero" knocked around by the pro "sharks". It made for pretty uncomfortable viewing to be honest. I really don't wish to disparage Mr Whiteside or the show but it might be better to... well... make sure the sports people have more of an idea of what they're doing. I'm not suggesting you should get rid of them and make the table full of pros but some of the players seemed to be almost total beginners.
Again, that may have been just my take on it and perhaps is not shared by the majority.
At any rate, I've been meaning to take a little forum holiday for a while. I enjoy posting here but it does take up alot of my time. Since the show thread was the thing that brought me to the forum, I'll allow this to prompt me to take that break. With the time it frees up I'm sure I can find something else to do... like teach myself a few new languages.
A quick comment on Twitter. It is fast becoming THE global bulletin board. Any company, particularly in the entertainment industry (which online poker is in), needs to get out in front on this and really build a presence (an audience or 'follower-base') on there. I actually thought when Sky Poker recently got the @skypoker name from someone rather than continue to use the @sky_poker handle that this was absolutely huge. Yes, I'm going mental about an underscore but it's pretty darn vital. Just for appearances you look more professional if you have 'your' name on there. I got lucky with my Twitter, I was the first me on there.
Unless they charge for Twitter in the future, or there is some massive issue with adverts/personal information, Twitter will become a part of pretty much everyone's life within a couple of decades at the most IMO. Supporting evidence, everyone from Questiontime to guests on SoccerAm are being promoted with a hashtag.
Completely vital, completely correct. I've probably missed the following and it's been going on for a while but I hope the other branches of Sky B&G and SkySports are cross selling Sky Poker to their customers as well. A few Tweets can go a long way, SSNews tweeting Charlotte Jackson's appearances, SkyBet tweeting about the golf show etc, all help to get more members on the poker tables.
On cross selling/cross promotion. Completely vital, completely correct. I've probably missed the following and it's been going on for a while but I hope the other branches of Sky B&G and SkySports are cross selling Sky Poker to their customers as well. A few Tweets can go a long way, SSNews tweeting Charlotte Jackson's appearances, SkyBet tweeting about the golf show etc, all help to get more members on the poker tables. Posted by TommyD
I just checked SkyBet's Twitter. Pleased to say it is going both (or all) ways and as I said I've been missing it. Tweet about the show and a RT from sportinglife.com promoting the show and appearances. As it should be and completely the way to go right now.
Maybe it's my age Tommy (60), my grandkids say go on twitter grandad we will follow you err ? lol. Posted by tomo_efc
Very possibly Tomo, but then again I'm sure you will have ample opportunities to get into it if you want to. It's the sort of thing that sounds silly if you describe it and you only get hooked if you use it. It's a curious beast, but when I consider how very far technology and communication has advanced in the past couple of decades it staggers me.
the full twitter thing is weird, i use twitter but i only ver go onto it if i want to message someone, - think the last time was to congradulate tommy on tsp. once to contact show with a rub down to james as he spoke about tikay naked. the other times i use it is when im playing live staked as its the easiest way to stay close to stakers.
On cross selling/cross promotion. Completely vital, completely correct. I've probably missed the following and it's been going on for a while but I hope the other branches of Sky B&G and SkySports are cross selling Sky Poker to their customers as well. A few Tweets can go a long way, SSNews tweeting Charlotte Jackson's appearances, SkyBet tweeting about the golf show etc, all help to get more members on the poker tables. Posted by TommyD
agree totally with the cross-selling arguments.
and with the need to embrace the latest social media
but one can be a little more sensitive with the treatment of one's existing fan base who may not want to / be able to move with the times - but are currently your biggest supporters.
the full twitter thing is weird, i use twitter but i only ver go onto it if i want to message someone, - think the last time was to congradulate tommy on tsp. once to contact show with a rub down to james as he spoke about tikay naked. the other times i use it is when im playing live staked as its the easiest way to stay close to stakers. Posted by The_Don90
Everyone, from companies and corporations to the individual Joe like you and me now have two lives or presences. The real world and the virtual. Twitter can be the universal communication tool for that second life and to me might well turn out to be as important in human history as the creation of a universal currency when Spain first minted a piece of eight.
I think you're too positive on the fate of "Twitter". Ten years ago you would have said the same thing of "Myspace", five years ago "Facebook". There'll be another Social Media site to take over from twitter too.
I've never signed up to twitter, but have looked at a few peoples feeds. The amount of noise to genuine info is massive. How do people who follow large numbers of others wade through the sheer quantity of nonsense on it?
A big thanks for Tikay taking the time to give honest comments about the Channel
The shows are still entertaining, diverse and great fun to watch!
Anyone who doesn't have a genuine affection for the presenters, guests and analysts must be watching a different channel!
It is disappointing the show thread has been discontinued because amongst the humourous comments are often some gems of wisdom that can be read if you've missed the show, or if you've watched the show, and just want to read them again.
I am on Twitter, but to be honest can't be doing with tweets, retweets, following, liking or ha sh tags!
The shows are magic IMHO and the presenters bespoke for the job they do,
I'm just sad that the permanent record we had in one place, the forum thread, has been discontinued.
As far as the prizes went. I have won more than my fair share but to be honest they weren't necessary. I'd happily pay a subscription to watch the show just for the banter and warmth!
In Response to Re: TV show thread : Everyone, from companies and corporations to the individual Joe like you and me now have two lives or presences. The real world and the virtual. Twitter can be the universal communication tool for that second life and to me might well turn out to be as important in human history as the creation of a universal currency when Spain first minted a piece of eight. Posted by TommyD
surrely facebook could be used in the same context then. just as popular, if not more popular than twitter, and you actually can have a conversation rather than snippets.
Comments
The Show still gets just as many e-Mails - we now push the e-addy HARD.
Twitter? Well you say you don't understand it, which is fair enough. I think the Business does understand the very important role that Social-Media, in particular Twitter, now plays in ALL businesses. We must not ignore it, we must address it.
"Ask the Expert" & "Analyse Me Play" have NOT disappeared, but they are being moved to different nights, & freshened up.
"Poker School" is under review right now, & I'm not sure if it will return, when, or in what form.
It is disappears, then that will leave a free slot for something else.....
861 will never stand still, it will always change things around, & try to be better. It is working so far, as audience ratings have improved dramatically of late. Higher ratings achieve nothing but the massaging of egos though, as those higher audiences have to be turned into new players. That's the key.
We needed to convey to those who perceived poker as all serious, long faces, shades & hoodies that poker is intended to be fun, & bring a smile to the face. Poker, generally, really does need a PR makeover you know, it does not enjoy the best of reputations outside our insular world.
One of the Guests (& some graphics) was from Oddschecker.
The other Guest was from SportingLife.com. That is also part of (as in, owned by) Sky Betting & Gaming.
The Betting Markets on the Graphics were provided by Sky Bet.
I don'y really know upon what basis the Mastercash hands were selected last night, but maybe the absence due to holiday of the regular chap - a really smashing lad, by the way, & Dan's # 1 Assistant - was the cause.
What you would not know is that there were serious technical challenges last night, which we overcome with some ad-libbing, & Rich Orford was not at all well.
The Show will only suffer if it fails to do the job is it designed to do.
Messages are an accessory to that, an ingredient which goes into the overall mix.
We hope viewers will continue to send in e-Mails, Tweets, or ask questions via the Community.
I understand why the Poker School might be shelved. After the first few months of the show, it was apparent that new topics were a bit thin on the ground and it also must be pretty difficult to find hands that are both interesting and display the ideas being discussed. I'm glad the other shows mentioned aren't being dropped, though.
The Cash Game was very good. I didn't agree with many of the criticisms at all. There was one I did agree with, though, and would hope could be avoided somehow in future. I don't hold Norman Whiteside's time at Man Utd against him and without wishing to disrespect him, he and some of the other sports stars were clearly out of their depth. It seems incongruous with the image that the show was trying to project to have this sporting "hero" knocked around by the pro "sharks". It made for pretty uncomfortable viewing to be honest. I really don't wish to disparage Mr Whiteside or the show but it might be better to... well... make sure the sports people have more of an idea of what they're doing. I'm not suggesting you should get rid of them and make the table full of pros but some of the players seemed to be almost total beginners.
Again, that may have been just my take on it and perhaps is not shared by the majority.
At any rate, I've been meaning to take a little forum holiday for a while. I enjoy posting here but it does take up alot of my time. Since the show thread was the thing that brought me to the forum, I'll allow this to prompt me to take that break. With the time it frees up I'm sure I can find something else to do... like teach myself a few new languages.
Unless they charge for Twitter in the future, or there is some massive issue with adverts/personal information, Twitter will become a part of pretty much everyone's life within a couple of decades at the most IMO. Supporting evidence, everyone from Questiontime to guests on SoccerAm are being promoted with a hashtag.
Completely vital, completely correct. I've probably missed the following and it's been going on for a while but I hope the other branches of Sky B&G and SkySports are cross selling Sky Poker to their customers as well. A few Tweets can go a long way, SSNews tweeting Charlotte Jackson's appearances, SkyBet tweeting about the golf show etc, all help to get more members on the poker tables.
Pleasing.
If you can communicate with it, then it becomes a marketing tool.
ashtag...what ?
I've never signed up to twitter, but have looked at a few peoples feeds. The amount of noise to genuine info is massive. How do people who follow large numbers of others wade through the sheer quantity of nonsense on it?
The shows are still entertaining, diverse and great fun to watch!
Anyone who doesn't have a genuine affection for the presenters, guests and analysts must be watching a different channel!
It is disappointing the show thread has been discontinued because amongst the humourous comments are often some gems of wisdom that can be read if you've missed the show, or if you've watched the show, and just want to read them again.
The shows are magic IMHO and the presenters bespoke for the job they do,
As far as the prizes went. I have won more than my fair share but to be honest they weren't necessary. I'd happily pay a subscription to watch the show just for the banter and warmth!