LisaY Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 Has anyone else noticed? I logged on to the BWTA "discussions" on the A&E web site to see what was up - and there was a post by Elliott Forrest asking how everybody liked the new "diversity programming" Well, I like diversity just fine, but if their definition of 'diversity' means 'no ballet' then I don't like it at all. Thoughts? Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 These days, ballet on television IS diversity! It may even be an endangered species! Link to comment
Dale Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 Two of the last few weeks I turned on the main spotlight was on a rock band - alternative and brainy rock bands, but still something that you can already see on mtv2 etc... "Breakfast with the Arts" was supposed to be the last vestige of "The Arts" on what was once called the "Arts and Entertainment Channel." Now that Bravo has ceased to be an arts channel, this one two-hour show was the last bit of culture on regular cable TV and now they want to "diversify." Link to comment
Redstorm Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 I was told about this show about 4 to 5 months ago and have been waiting for a ballet to be on. My dd's teacher said they usually have a ballet once or more a month. I keep checking but so far nothing. Hopefully they will start showing ballets again soon. Link to comment
vagansmom Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 OK, folks, we need to let our voices be heard. Let's all contact A&E, contact Bravo and let them know that their stations don't appeal enough to us because there's little to no ballet! Link to comment
dirac Posted December 23, 2003 Share Posted December 23, 2003 Thanks, Lisa, for posting this. I had my complaints about Bravo -- the savage editing, the many, many commercials -- but at least it was once there. The situation is looking increasingly grim. Link to comment
carbro Posted December 23, 2003 Share Posted December 23, 2003 How can they call the new programming "diverse" if it is more and more like all the rest -- E! Channel, etc? :shrug: If they want true diversity, that would mean bucking the tide, creating a niche audience (isn't that what cable/satellite was supposed to be about?), and drawing a select, highly desirable viewership. Dumbing down the programming here makes absolutely no sense to me. Link to comment
salzberg Posted December 23, 2003 Share Posted December 23, 2003 OK, folks, we need to let our voices be heard. Let's all contact A&E, contact Bravo and let them know that their stations don't appeal enough to us because there's little to no ballet! A&E's "feedback" page is at: http://www.aetv.com/global/feedback/ Bravo's is: http://www.bravotv.com/Contact_Us/ Link to comment
Alexandra Posted December 26, 2003 Share Posted December 26, 2003 Thanks for posting those links, Jeff. Those are to the feedback forms, though, and the only allow you to give feedback on the topics A&E allows. Here is the link to the Breakfast with the Arts discussion forum. http://boards.aetv.com/forum.jsp?forum=358 Link to comment
salzberg Posted December 26, 2003 Share Posted December 26, 2003 I'd add that complaining here on Ballet Alert is all well and good -- and it certainly helps to vent a little -- but if we want to effect a change, we must make sure that A&E hears us....which means going to them. Link to comment
socalgal Posted December 26, 2003 Share Posted December 26, 2003 I have also noticed the absence of dance in the A & E programming this season. All of your replies prompted me to write them a note! So thanks to calling this to my attention. It helped me get a bit more active. Much appreciated....hope they read their e mails! Link to comment
LisaY Posted December 29, 2003 Author Share Posted December 29, 2003 I noted Mr. Forrest was quick to reply to the "loved the NRBQ, when will it be re-broadcast" message, but so far no response to the dissent regarding their diversity programming, or the "Ballet" topic. Although I realize replies from "Eliot Forrest" are probably posted by staff or even a 'bot'. Still, some response to the discussion (whether "Eliot Forrest" or some other BWTA staffer) would be nice. Due to a household felled by the flu we were not able to attend any 'Nut performances this season. It sure would've been nice to watch a new, or even 'new to me' production of the ballet on BWTA this Christmas (as they usually program) - from the couch, with juice and tissues at hand. Link to comment
salzberg Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 Well, so far, the only comments I've seen from people I recognized as Ballet Alert users have been from Alexandra and me. The more of us who complain on their discussion boards, the more likely we are to achieve our goal. Link to comment
LisaY Posted December 29, 2003 Author Share Posted December 29, 2003 Here's a toast to strength in numbers for us squeaky wheels. Perhaps, and hopefully, other BalletAlert readers have used different sign in names than the ones used here. I vented/posted under my alternate personality - "lkyork." Link to comment
carbro Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 Me, too, as "cb.nyc." :cool2: The quantity and quality of complaints are very encouraging. Link to comment
vagansmom Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 I sent a snail mail letter to A&E's Programming Director (Peter Tarshis) in the belief that they pay more attention when someone takes the time to do it that way. At least, that's what a couple TV producers I have some contact with have stated. I also remember reading somewhere that Oprah Winfrey had said that she doesn't pay much attention to emails or email discussions but will more seriously consider a standard letter because of the effort put into it. But then I also emailed Elliot Forrest, the host of Breakfast with the Arts. Don't know how much input the host might have but figured it was worth the try anyhow. Link to comment
socalgal Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Wow....I got a reply from BWTA about the lack of dance programing! It says: " You are correct. There was no dance this season. We lost the rights to our wonderful Nutcracker from the Royal Swedish Opera Ballet. We have just acquired some new dance programs and I hope to have some on the air by March. We all miss the dance, but it is hard to find good dance programming." John T. Bence I am glad to get the response sent to me........ But at the state of affairs over at A&E....... Link to comment
Dale Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 That's great to get a response. But I'd disagree that it's hard to find good programming. Even if a station is not going to produce its own shows [such as PBS does with Dance in America does], there is a lot of dance being shown on channels in Europe (England, France, Russia, Italy) and in Canada. Programs already shown in other countries could be bought. Personally, I didn't like the Swedish Nutcracker shown on A&E. But it's good to know they'll be something going on in March. Link to comment
carbro Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Alas, no dance :shrug:, but it seems that "someone" has complained loudly to A&E, and BWTA's program for this week is veering back from the middle of the road. This week will feature opera singers, including La Callas. Link to comment
Alexandra Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Wow! Diversity programming!!! Way to go, A&E. Link to comment
LisaY Posted January 23, 2004 Author Share Posted January 23, 2004 Well that's good news, but I'm still pouting and waiting for March. Link to comment
salzberg Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 Alas, no dance :shrug:, but it seems that "someone" has complained loudly to A&E, and BWTA's program for this week is veering back from the middle of the road. This week will feature opera singers, including La Callas. My guess would be that the most recent program, as well as the rest of the season, was set long before the current spate of complaints reached A&E's ears. Link to comment
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