The last three episodes of The Wil Wheaton Project (105, 106, 107) are pretty much what I wanted this show to be all along. I feel like it’s a good blend of irreverence, silliness, cleverness, and actual information that’s entertaining and interesting. We’ve had some great guests drop in, and our original creations (our silly TV theme songs, games like How Will They Bite It?) are landing on the audience exactly the way we hoped that they would.
As far as I can tell, the people who watch the show are having a good time with it, and the feedback I’ve been getting has been overwhelmingly positive. This makes me happy, because I’m making the show that I want to make, and the people who are watching it seem to enjoy that.
So, creatively, I’m very happy.
Our ratings are okay, but not great. We are building on our lead in, which is good, and people are watching the whole show, which is also good, but it’s discouraging that more people aren’t watching something that I’m really proud of.
I’ve done just about everything I can to convince the network to make it easier to watch online, but I’m just getting a runaround that ends with a whole lot of audience that probably would add to our ratings just going to YouTube or Pirate Bay to watch us. I’m happy that people are finding and enjoying the show, but I’m disappointed that our network isn’t making it easier for those people to be counted in a way that would help us get renewed for more episodes.
I made a decision two weeks ago, after 106 didn’t do as well as I hoped it would, to not care about the ratings any more. They matter only because it’s part of some inscrutable formula some people in a building in New York use to determine if we get to make more than 12 episodes, and those numbers are a distraction from the creative process for me.
As it stands right now, we’ll get to do at least five more episodes. After that, my long range sensors can’t get a signal. I could spend a lot of time worrying about our ratings, but the fact is that people tune in or they don’t. The network has to promote the show in a smart way that gets people interested in us, and we have to make a show that those people enjoy enough to stick around and watch.
So I’m going to stay focused on the creative side of things, and work with an incredibly talented, smart, and funny team of writers and producers to make a show that we are proud of, that we can stand by.
Whether that’s for five more or thirty more is currently in Schrödinger’s Nielsen Box.
Does watching it DVR’d count toward the ratings? We don’t have cable so my parent’s DVR the eps for us to watch whenever we visit.
Only if your parents are a Nielson household, apparently. I find it baffling as well that, despite all the ready-made wide-base viewership data generated by DVRs and the like, networks still rely on the Nielson system to the exclusion of almost all other data.
Cool so, I don’t count either way? That’s… reassuring?
The strength of the Nielsen system is that (attempts) to capture solid data on individuals in a household, what each of them is watching, and their gender and age demographics. Simply “it was on the DVR, then it was watched” doesn’t give sponsors/advertisers any info if it’s your 78yo grandma or the entire family (including those prime demographic 18-25yo males).
If I recall, Nielsen families watching DVR recordings “count,” but only when watched within a week or two.
Generally no.
While I don’t like it, the issue is the fact the station wants to know how many people watch the show so they can sell ads. The belief is if you’re DVRing you’re skipping the ads and therefore you’re less valuable as a viewer to the company buying the ad. So it kinda makes sense.
I’m pretty sure it depends on how long you wait to see it. If you watch it within 3 days, they will count it. If you wait longer, it won’t count.
Hubby and I are having a great time with the show. Here’s hoping for a renewal! In the meantime, enjoy. 🙂
My only problem is timing, I get home late so I end up watching the last 5 minutes but I revisit it On Demand. The show seems to flow more smooth every episode.
Wil, I’m one of the folks who doesn’t have cable but would love to watch your show. :o( I want to be counted too!
Me too!
I have internets, but not cable TV, so I watched the first episode on Hulu. I can’t bring myself to to torrent the others. 🙁
Show has been great. I try to watch live and also DVR because there are some parts that I find have legs for repeat viewing. The “How Will They Bite It” game is hysterical. The “Dying from smoking” piece was spit-take worthy. Keep up the great work. Hope the show lasts 100 more episodes or more.
Complaining about the measuring system doesn’t help matters at all. If you want to drive success beyond its current definition, find a way to slice the numbers that they haven’t thought of yet.
My suggestion: TWWP is the only show I watch on SyFy. Ask them to figure out how many people are being introduced to their network (and their brand) through your show. If it’s an unusually high number, it makes your show more valuable than just the number of people who watch it.
There are many others suggestions, but that one is mine.
I have heard that the network is aware of this, and is very happy and excited about it. I’m not sure what that means for us, but I do think it’s cool that our show is doing something for them that none of their other shows do.
I find it odd that they don’t realize how large of an Internet following you have, and how much they could promote their own network by having the show online. Toss the show onto their website and cram full every commercial break with promos for other SyFy shows.
Hope it all works out in the end, and if SyFy decides that they don’t want to work with you for another 12, maybe there would be a way to create a YouTube version of the show so that it can continue living on.
Ow man, I really hope the ratings pick up! I’m in the UK and there’s currently no ‘legal’ way to watch it for me, so I torrent it.
Is there something we could do? Write Syfy to air it in the UK? Anything?
I really hope you get renewed, I love this show! I seriously have had to pause at least twice an episode (I watch on DVR) because I’m laughing too hard.
Hulu is my usual go-to for shows (I am one of the people who dropped their cable service years ago), and it’s made me sad that all but the first episode is locked there. I haven’t gone the downloading route because I was hoping they (Hulu, someone else, I don’t know) might give in so I can count towards the show’s ratings, but my desire to actually watch the show is beginning to sway me. I know that watching off the grid is pretty useless to you as far as being able to give numbers to the network is concerned, but you’re 100% right that there is a willing audience out there that just can’t get to the show any other way!
This, me too. I’m going to grab the preview of hulu plus so I can mainline the rest of these, I think.
Don’t waste your free trial on it. Every episode past #1 requires you to link a cable/satellite account to your Hulu subscription, whether you’re using Plus or not.
I’ve been fascinated by how syfy’s new show Dominion is focusing on Neilson twitter ratings rather than box ratings. 3 episodes in and the buzz and interaction with actors, creators and fans feels like a save the show champaign before its even started. Complete with instructions on how, when and where to tweet for the most impact.
I’ll be sure tweet and hashtag the project during the show next Tuesday.
Thanks for asking the network for better online access. I wish they were more receptive. I don’t have cable but I do have Hulu Plus, and I was sad to see that even with that I can only watch the pilot without a cable subscription. I love what I’ve been able to see of the show, so I hope you keep making it and maybe the network will get a clue.
Oh. Well darn . . . there goes my brilliant plan! (H+ preview)
To play Devil’s advocate for a moment (I like the show, by the way). and im not saying that you should pay attention to the ratings. Dont. You are correct, dont let it interfere with your creative process.
However, from a business sense, It actually makes sense that they are sticking with the same ratings model. Think about it from a business standpoint and not a fans standpoint for a minute. Say they were to count other sources to get more numbers. What does that tell them? More people are watching, sure, but what does that actually tell them? Nothing. In fact it confuses the issue. When you are selling advertisement, its not just about the total number, its about the numbers of your competition. If you are using a different formula than your competition, an advertiser would say, “well, wait, how do we know that your competition also doesnt have more people?” You wouldnt. This is why you use something like Nielson. Right or wrong, its measurable and a comparison tool. Now, if we could get all the networks to agree to use a better model of data, then yes, I would agree, that would be better, but it makes no sense for a single network to do that.
You are making an awesome show. I hope you get to make many more than the 5 remaining shows. As Brian Greenberg said above, TWWP is the first show I’ve watched on SyFy. Keep up the good work.
I don’t live in the US and therefore couldn’t get SyFy even if I wanted to. There is no way for me to watch TWWP through official channels and having to go through the hassle of unofficial channels eventually caused me to stop watching the show all together after just two episodes.
Now I’m pretty sure that the network probably doesn’t care about international viewers anyway and even if it did, what does the opinion of a single person mean to them? So yeah, take all of this with a bucket of salt. Still, the fact remains, the network’s policy on this stuff has officially and completely alienated me and driven me away from the show.
I hate so much that the episodes on Hulu are “subscriber-locked.” I went on Hulu last night and saw the Project pop up with episode 7 in the search, and I excitedly clicked through to see…”Connect a cable provider to watch this show.”
I know that you can’t convince SyFy of this, because you’ve obviously been trying, but this kind of thing makes me scream in frustration. I WANT to give ad revenue to the show. I WANT to give the show another legitimate viewer. Locking me out because I don’t have a cable subscription is costing SyFy a willing viewer. It’s so freaking disappointing, and I’m sorry that I’m contributing to your “illicit” viewer numbers instead of the numbers that SyFy cares about 🙁
Not having cable/satellite, I watched the first episode online. Unfortunately, between work, kids, wife, and other entertainments, it’s a pain in the ass to go trying to find it legally online. I’ve been hesitant to pirate it, because I enjoy your various works and don’t want to harm that in any way.
You could think of using illegal methods as a way to help promote the legal show. Think about it, pirating has at least 1 good purpose: sharing good stuff. So what if, when you or I share TWWP on torrent or YT we help it reach Americans, who can make the difference in SYFY ratings.
I would, however, choose a way to personally help the show if there is one.
As someone outside the U.S., I hope people watch the show so the show ends up being sold to out regions and they I can see it.
“out” s/b “other”
I’m sure there’s a way WE can convince them. After all, Sci-fi fans are the base of their audience. By neglecting to include the large amount of people that want to watch their shows but can’t due to the stinginess or lack of will on their part, they’re effectively severing a straight forward access that is going to lead to lower ratings and viewers in the future.
When people get tired of jumping through hoops, they’ll look elsewhere. Eventually, hardly anyone is going to stick around for long. If they think pushing for reruns of sequels to shows like Mega Shark Vs whoever, they’re sadly mistaken.
Love the show Wil. Keep ’em comin’. Your fans will follow however it turns out.
If the people aren’t already watching on cable, then not providing a different way for them to watch isn’t going to impact ratings at all. How can people who aren’t watching not watch more in the future?
I hope you can make more episodes AND that they become available to more viewers somehow! I only have basic cable and am not willing to pay $40 more a month just to watch Syfy (the only non-basic cable channel I would watch). I currently have no legal way to watch your show, and it makes me very sad!
Forgot to set up notifs 🙂
ratings are stupid anyway. much great love for tWWP!
I love the show, but I am among the cord cutters who will never pay for cable tv again, so I am forced to find it online, and that sucks. Because it’s hilarious.
If you don’t get a 2nd season I hope somewhere down the road someone has a funding idea that let’s you make TWWP v2 online kinda like TableTop.
The problem with using the same old business model, is that the business itself has changed. The advent of both the DVR and the Internet have forced it to. The biggest complaint of the television industry in general is that less and less people are sitting down to watch actual “live” television.
For example, TWWP, GoT, and Doctor Who are the only shows I go out of my way to watch “live”, and even then, I have my DVR going… just in case I can’t make it (just like I didn’t get to catch the last episode of TWWP, but it’s sitting comfy-cozy on my DVR, waiting to be watched). Every other show I watch (and that’s a very large number) is caught on my DVR or streamed much later, and without ads by the way, via Netflix. And I know I’m not alone in this. So, to say the old system should stay the way it is “because it works” is technically incorrect, because the system is inherently broken. All you have to do is look at the success of shows with “culture cult” followings (I’ll use Firefly as the most popular example) to see that the “live” ratings aren’t always a good indicator of whether or not the public is consuming a show adequately (and thus advertising time).
By not counting DVR numbers, or not counting all households as “Nielson households”, or not counting internet streaming (all of which can support advertisement, by the way… and despite the ability to skip the ads on my DVR, I have found myself rewinding to catch an occasional commercial that snags my eye even in fast forward or I’ll let them run while I go to the bathroom or whatever), there are shows that deserve renewal (such as TWWP, etc.) that aren’t getting renewed or might not get renewed, and shows that don’t deserve renewal getting renewed because they’re getting lucky and people are forgetting to turn off their TVs while they take a shower after a different show.
Admittedly, Wil, you shouldn’t let it interfere with your creative process in any case, but the Nielson system IS broken, and needs to be updated for the modern times of modern technology.
If you aren’t watching their commercials, why would they want to count you at all? They are in the business to make money. A show that everybody watches, but nobody watches the commercials for does them no good. They go belly up that way.
Quite frankly, I think the cable companies would get more customers, and ultimately make more money, if they had an ala carte channel system, and set pricing based on channels “subscribed to”. For example: for every 10 channels or so, starting from $9.99 a month (and yes, you can include local in that if you want to be greedy), you add extra dollars… thus, 10 channels = $9.99, 20 channels = $14.99, 30 channels = $19.99, etc… but with the customer choosing what channels they want to put in their channel bundle rather than the cable company.
Just an idea…
Just not interested in having cable… if you can get picked up by Netflix, or something like that, I’d be more inclined to watch (even in the limited TV viewing time I have)… Meanwhile, online clips on YouTube it is!
It’s sad that in an age where everything is big data and the google and everyone else can quantify just about every aspect of our online lives that TV is still using “Neilson” families and counting how many people watch “live” (whatever that means anymore).
I know the cable company can see what I’ve setup to record on their DVR and when I watch it and how but don’t.
SyFy has been pretty bad since the name change – TWWP and a couple of the other new shows they are putting on there show a glimmer of hope that it will once again be a true scifi network. I hope they see the potential and keep going.
I subscribe to cable but I don’t use a cable box. I have my owner tuner in my HTPC so my DVR shows are available to anyone on my home network. I have no idea if the cable company knows what I’m watching but I DVR every episode of TWWP and watch it when I have time. I will even transfer the recording to my laptop and watch it on the train if I have time.
I’d like to watch it and be counted in Canada, but your network doesn’t want that. I do, however, get a stream of it from “one of those sites.” Your network obviously doesn’t understand how the Internet works—They should be cashing in on the power of the Net rather than forcibly limiting their coverage to “just the USA.” But the bean counters will never get that…
Well, being from that small part of the planet that is not the US of A, I’m a left with no choice but pirate bay and it makes me sad that my enjoyment does not do anything to keep the show running.
I hope you can at least take some comfort from the fact, that I really do not like to torrent anything and TWWP is the first thing in many years that I downloaded, because I don’t want to miss out on the fun.
Whatever happens to the show, just enjoy it while it lasts, may that be 5 more episodes or 15 more years.
I watched the first few episodes, but it felt like a weaker version of Web Soup, which is just a really weak version of The Soup.
I love the show. Unfortunately for me it is a show I have to DVR because it’s not always kid friendly. (Though I haven’t seen anything about Salem recently so I might revisit live watching) I really hope for another season because I laugh the entire show! 🙂
Yeah, unfortunately I stopped watching after episode 3 because it’s such a major job of work to grab an episode from a relevant torrent. (Doesn’t help that life is insanely busy right now, either.) I really wish networks wouldn’t lock out online viewing to people who already subscribe to cable or satellite. Seems a wee bit self-defeating to me.
You have the right attitude! 🙂 Focus on the creativity and on the experience. Although many fans have already expressed their love of your show, please allow me to add to that. My husband and I look forward to TWWP every week. Each episode is funnier than the last. Also, we have added the word “BWAAANG” to our vocabulary. Rock on, Wil!
I so wish it were on HuluPlus or full episodes on SyFy’s Roku channel. I’d watch it on an appointment basis, but I’m not willing to hand over the $$ to the cable company (whom I just broke up with in TV terms) for anything.
As others have posted, if TWWP gets cancelled, I hope you can try either crowdfunding or if Syfy will see if Amazon or Netflix might be interested in picking it up. I would pay for this series.
I wish it was available on Netflix – but the truth is that SyFy and Netflix had a falling out a couple of years ago. NONE of SyFy’s shows are available on Netflix, and that doesn’t look to change any time soon.
I watched the first one when it hit Hulu+, but even that was made difficult by the network, it could only play on the computer, not my PS3 and the nice TV where I watch almost everything else.
If they aren’t going to have a legal feed, nobody in the main demographic is going to be able to watch it.
Places like “Syfy” need to decide if they’re studios producing their own work to profit from on multiple networks, or content farms for cable companies to resell. FX has clearly chosen to be a studio, HBO can’t figure it out.
I really enjoyed watching the first episode on the SyFy website before they put everything behind their paywall. I can’t find any legal way to access the show, and my sense of ethics won’t allow me to watch it illegally. The saddest part is that I’ve been a Netfilx subscriber sine about 2002, but SyFy won’t even talk to them anymore. I had already watched the first 2 STARGATE series entirely when SyFy pulled everything – so I can’t watch the last 2 series at all. Now I can’t watch your show, either. Maybe SyFy just hates me?
What’s great about this is, there’s no downside. Either you get to keep doing good fun work with people you really like for a community that you like…or you get to keep doing that for a long time. Either way you’ve done it and are doing it.
Keep focused on being creative and let come what may. Only good things will come from this.
…meanwhile, we’re all having fun watching you have fun.
Thanks!!
Wil – I am really enjoying TWWP and hope you get picked up for more shows.
Smart networks will look beyond the Nielsen ratings, but in response to some of the other commenters, the networks aren’t sticking by the Nielsen ratings – it’s the advertisers and agencies that are. Since the network can only bill the advertiser based on Nielsen numbers, they are still pretty important.
Regarding what gets counted and what doesn’t – any viewing by a Nielsen household within 75 hours of air time on the TV or Desktop PC is currently counted. So, DVR/VOD/Hulu/Cable Web Sites are counted, Mobile/Tablet and viewing more than 75 hours later are not.
I could write a small novel on all the things that are wrong with this system (and probably have in email sized chunks) but it is the system we have and it’s an industry that moves slowly.
Ignoring the ratings is likely the absolute wisest idea. Concentrate on the creative and production values that you want. If this show is going to rock, it will be because you reach your natural stride. It is very easy to miss that when you watch the numbers instead of follow your gut.
I was a bit disappointed in the first couple of shows, “Smarmy Wil Wheaton Project-Wil Wheaton” was not what I hoped the show to be. The last several have been MUCH better, more just regular Wil Wheaton being funny and witty about things, not SWWPWW.
We pause before the “Bites It” to make our own guesses!
This is a healthy way to look at it. I wish you well.
I’ve been watching plenty of syfy shows on hulu that last for several seasons (being human, defiance, continuum, warehouse 13, eureka, just to name a few). Over the last few years the commercials have gotten more prevalent and unlike DVRs we can’t fast forward thru them.
Those shows survived on hulu, why is syfy dragging their feet on your show?
I am interested in watching the show but have to resort to just watching the clips on your YouTube channel or hulu.
I’m sad I haven’t been able to watch. We just rely very heavily on sources other than those stated above for our entertainment. I’d hoped they would change their minds and open up online viewing somehow, but am still disappointed. I enjoyed the first show, and the clips that come up online, so I’ll just keep checking back.
Australian here. Would love to be able to “legally” watch the show. But the dinosaurs in the TV industry both here and in the US just refuse to move with times. I’d happily contribute to a kickstart/crowd funded season.
My husband and I are 2 salary, 2 dogs, no kids professionals. We only watch SyFy for your show. We really enjoy it.
Been catching up on episodes on the SyFy app. Hope they give you time to build an audience. I thought the Brady Bunch/Game of Thrones bit was pretty damn funny.
I tried to watch this week’s ep on the SyFy app, but my provider (Charter) has been dropped VERY recently. Like in the past week. This is upsetting.
Also, today is my birthday. This is in no way relevant, but it is still true. Play more games!!!
I am so glad that you’re doing something that you love and enjoy and want to share. I love the show, it’s funny and smart. Sometimes I have missed it and have tried numerous times to watch it through SyFy via my provider (CableOne). I end up getting shuffled to Hulu which will let me watch clips but gives a message that equates to “your provider and the network are setup to let you watch full episodes, but not of this show” which I just don’t understand. I (over) pay for cable, I pay for internet. I don’t know why it’s so difficult to allow those two to mesh. So far as I can tell I cannot watch full episodes online and it makes me very sad and incredibly frustrated.
In fact, this is the exact run around message I get when trying to watch episode 7. 🙁
http://twitpic.com/e7xxb2
It’s both good and bad what’s going on here. The market will do what markets do: sort themselves out messily and with contradiction. This is the hard part about being a pioneer, Wil. While your life is much complicated by this process, eventually, and with promise, the tide will turn, and networks will lose their deathgrip on how shows are made, and toss the 1970’s ratings model over the side. Be proud that you were an early pioneer in this area even if it causes pain and angst along the way. What kind of artist is willing to sacrifice a piece of art for the sake of the art? The best kind.
Keep it up and thanks for what you do, Wil.