Dear Discovery Channel,
Here in South Korea, you have a captive audience among westerners because it's the only channel with consistent English-language programming. But over the years I've slowly become more and more disappointed with the kind of material you are producing and putting on air.
I remember many years ago that Discovery had real nature shows, and real science shows, about interesting and informative stuff. But these days the shows are less and less about discovering new information and ideas, and more about mimicking the human dramas and fiery explosions that all the other major networks push.
If I want to watch a reality show about people arguing and bitching, I turn to Survivor, or Top Model, or whatever else. I used to turn to Discovery when I wanted a break from all that; Discovery was a welcome refreshment that marched to a different beat. But you're ruining it, slowly and surely.
And when you do have interesting content, you seem to assume the only way to hold our attention is to entice us with imminent death or immanent explosions or other various disasters. Give your audience some credit. Explaining all the different ways something can go horribly wrong doesn't make that something any more worth watching.
And these days, the only shows involving mother nature are those highlighting all the different ways people manage to conquer and/or exploit her for everything she's worth.
But you still have Mythbusters, the one redeeming, fun, interesting, informative show left on the lineup. It's a shame that you take such advantage of this strength, stretching a half-hour-at-heart program into a full hour with endless recaps and replays and goofing around.
Here in South Korea, you have a captive audience among westerners because it's the only channel with consistent English-language programming. But over the years I've slowly become more and more disappointed with the kind of material you are producing and putting on air.
I remember many years ago that Discovery had real nature shows, and real science shows, about interesting and informative stuff. But these days the shows are less and less about discovering new information and ideas, and more about mimicking the human dramas and fiery explosions that all the other major networks push.
If I want to watch a reality show about people arguing and bitching, I turn to Survivor, or Top Model, or whatever else. I used to turn to Discovery when I wanted a break from all that; Discovery was a welcome refreshment that marched to a different beat. But you're ruining it, slowly and surely.
And when you do have interesting content, you seem to assume the only way to hold our attention is to entice us with imminent death or immanent explosions or other various disasters. Give your audience some credit. Explaining all the different ways something can go horribly wrong doesn't make that something any more worth watching.
And these days, the only shows involving mother nature are those highlighting all the different ways people manage to conquer and/or exploit her for everything she's worth.
But you still have Mythbusters, the one redeeming, fun, interesting, informative show left on the lineup. It's a shame that you take such advantage of this strength, stretching a half-hour-at-heart program into a full hour with endless recaps and replays and goofing around.
Tribe is also a show with potential, if only it weren't for all the things the show doesn't say out of fear of political incorrectness.
So please, Discovery Channel, I urge you to consider the implications of your actions. Like any person, or animal, or company in competition with others for a niche, you will not succeed in your effort to be a special kind of channel while also trying to please the same mass audiences as the other networks do. You'll end up failing on both fronts, alienating your loyal viewers (present company included), and failing to compete fully for new ones.
With sincere hopes for the future,
Jared
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