Germans v Television

As a side effect of my job, I get into many conversations about TV, whether I want to or not. One topic that always pops up is the subject of linear television and it’s future.

Without taking a stance on the matter, people are quick to let me know that scheduled TV isn’t going anywhere, whatever new fangled technology the interweb can deliver. This defence is always put to me in the face of evidence to the contrary. Today I read a report that highlights a wind of change blowing through Germany, Europe’s second largest TV market.

In news that will make even the most hardened channel manager choke on his latte and muffin, Germans spent less time last year watching TV than in 2006. Among the young, the news is even worse.

Still, at an average of 208 minutes per day of telly box watching for Germans, it will be a long time before the decline allows me to fight back in the “scheduled TV is doomed” argument.

Click here to read the full story.

Top 10 TV show downloads of 2007

Hello, tis me again, still slightly full of festive cheer. The end of year lists have started, and I found one today worthy of passing on to my readers. This is the list of TV shows that were downloaded the most illegally in the year that is coming to a close.

Extras Christmas special

I just finished watching the final episode of Extras, the feature length Christmas special. I know it’s been on the internet for the last 11 days but I thought I would watch it at the same time as the rest of the UK. Alright, that’s actually a lie. I didn’t know it had been on HBO already until I went looking to find out when it was airing in Britain, and then proceeded to download an HD copy veerrry sloooowly yesterday. In fact by the time it arrived, I realised that I wouldn’t be watching it until this evening when my better half arrived home, in which case I might as well watch it on BBC HD in a slightly higher quality!

Lost Season 4 Trailer

Although it’s impact will be diminished somewhat by the strike, the 8 episodes filmed so far of season 4 start in Feb next year. And for those who forget, it is definitely worth looking out for after the writing renaissance halfway through season 3, followed by the shocking finale. Watch the non-revealing trailer after the jump..

I heart Mario

The TV well is running dry as the strike moves into it’s seventh week, but I don’t care. Why? Because I’m playing Super Mario Galaxy. I read the reviews, and for a brief time its average rating took it past Ocarina of Time to make it the bestest highest rated video game ever (it’s back down in second now), but that only made me more skeptical. But spending my Sunday in my boxer shorts on my couch squealing like a child, I can confirm that this game is a masterpiece. It’s a as close as possible to a 3D version of Super Mario World, and I am about to lose many days and nights to it while Hollywood works out it’s differences. Watch some spoilers after the jump.

4HD launches

…and it is exactly what they promised. An upscaled simulcast of Channel 4, with High definition content whenever possible. Highlights over the next week include Hollyoaks (who knew that show would ever make it to the next generation of TV), Ugly Betty and a couple of films including Happy Gilmore. Never fear though, because the upscaled SD content apparently looks a lot better if reports of this morning’s Without a Trace viewing are confirmed. Look out for it Channel 140 on your Sky HD box. Now all we need is ITV (Spring 08) and five to launch and terrestrial HD will be complete!

Heroes S02E11 – Powerless

It’s 1am and I just finished watching the end of Volume 2 of Heroes. Now that is how you end a season, all is forgiven for the lacklustre season 1 finale that the UK was subjected to tonight!

The great thing about Heroes is that anyone can go at any time, although this is tempered by the fact that Claire’s blood can bring anyone back from the dead.

Can I just ask someone to confirm that NBC showed the alternative ending tonight, and that Volume 3 will continue next September?

watch the Sylar-heavy teaser for Volume 3 after the jumparoo..