Everyones had their say on the whole SKY-Lost issue...some people are happy with the acquisition, some are disappointed whilst others are unmoved by recent events.
However, Channel 4, you have not yet had YOU'RE say in all of this. And since this is a democratic forum, we the lost fans, invite you to take part in an open and frank discussion on why you seemingly let LOST go so easily, yet fork out tens of millions for Desperate Housewives and other sub-standard programming. Perhaps you dont want to get bogged down in debate - that is fine. But you can still use this opportunity to release a statement of somekind, outlining your reasons for not even challenging Sky's initial bid.
We deserve to know C4 and you deserve to have your side of the story heard.
Originally posted by C4: Unfortunately, Sky put in a bid for Lost which we judged to be considerably above the show's commercial value given the decline in audience numbers between the first and second series.
We have to balance expenditure against likely commercial returns- if we bid to retain shows without a realistic ceiling we would be guilty of misusing our funds. The inevitable result of this would be diminishing returns and a subsequent inability to afford to buy the best new shows.
The Acquisitions budget is set aside specifically for the purchase of American shows. The fact that we are unable to retain Lost does not mean that extra funds are available to other departments (eg those commissioning documentaries etc). We will continue to go after the best US shows for the Channel 4 audience, including the highly successful and distinctive Ugly Betty, which is due early next year.
Originally posted by The Wizard: As an official messenger for C4 i feel the need to give you this statement they made earlier today:
'We hate ourselves'
that was it.
Oooooooh! Things make sense now!
R.I.P. Shannon, I will love you for always and forever! #1 Shannon Rutherford Fan Club - Her spirit will live on through us! Member of A.S.S. D.O.L. Director of Debates and Disputes - Spreading the word and promoting his image #7 Gabrielle Solis Fan Club Runner Up of Lost Season 1 Quiz
I don't want Ugly Betty, we want quality shows, great debates and a programme that keeps you guessing, not some mindless drivel we can guess the punch lines to!!!!!!!!!!
Originally posted by C4: Unfortunately, Sky put in a bid for Lost which we judged to be considerably above the show's commercial value given the decline in audience numbers between the first and second series.
We have to balance expenditure against likely commercial returns- if we bid to retain shows without a realistic ceiling we would be guilty of misusing our funds. The inevitable result of this would be diminishing returns and a subsequent inability to afford to buy the best new shows.
The Acquisitions budget is set aside specifically for the purchase of American shows. The fact that we are unable to retain Lost does not mean that extra funds are available to other departments (eg those commissioning documentaries etc). We will continue to go after the best US shows for the Channel 4 audience, including the highly successful and distinctive Ugly Betty, which is due early next year.
Well there you go...
I'm sorry but that is meaningless to people like me who have neither a digi-box nor satellite .... I couldn't care less about the other stupid shows you mentioned .... Lost is the only thing I care about on TV and you've literally isolated me from it . How could you do this to your viewers ,... it's a greedy , selfish , thing to do and your money-obsessed attitude stinks and will hopefully be your downfall .
Sky one has already ripped 24 from my life (meaning I have to wait months after the season ends to get it on DVD) .
Can't you at least show the series after SKY , or can't both you and SKY show it , why does it have to be one or the other .... You both show Simpsons .....
This is the most depressing , infuriating thing you've ever done and you deserve to lose all your viewers as a result ....
C4 made the mistake of making us wait far too long between seasons and the viewing figure's dropped and then they couldn't afford S3, just what I've read btw.
Sky have said that they want UK viewers to be on the same sort of time scale as US viewers and personally I think that is how it should have always been.
WHY, C4 decided to leave such a gap between seasons on a fascinating show like this I dont know, but it looks like it was a stupid move. You cant do it with a show like this especially after the cliff hanger of S1 and the many questions left unanswered, a lot of fans got bored with waiting I guess.
♥.·:*¨*:·.♥.Member #394 of the Rex Fanclub.♥.·:*¨*:·.♥
Two rumours circulating, one is the "official" word from C4 which says viewing figures were well down by end of series 2 and they didn't think it was worth it any more.........the other is that viewing figures were actually high and stable, but they were outbid by sky, who have since been rubbing their noses in it with a huge advertising blitz.
Now usually sky will do a deal so another channel can show it soon after if they're prepared to pay them a reasonable sum, but clearly C4 aren't interested in keeping their viewers happy, and would rather keep trying to propell us into digital by putting new things they have forked out for (like the Sopranos) on E4. Sorry I dont have sky, or a digital freeview box, so not much on C4 is worht watching these days
Other peoples lives are not more fascinating than mine!
Well credit to C4 for coming out of their hole to offer somesort of explaination. Still not 'buying it' though..i suspect this is C4's PR rhetoric coming out.
Well, I just hope that 'Ugly Betty' is as good as 'Lost'..because thats the type of stuff theyre gonna being feeding us in 2007. Fair enough it stars Salma Hayek but it's a far far cry from the magnificence of LOST.
Why i remember the days..the days of hearty debate, discussion and even the odd dispute..the days when LOST was your baby..the days when you nurtured it and suckled it like an overwatered balloon. Alas..i even remember the feeling of despondance being overtaken by the feeling of jubilation when your guy gave us a "Public Announcement" at the end of Season 1 *oh how we cheered*. A little over a year ago now..my..how times change..indeed "everything changes". And whilst we all looked up to you 4 the answers..it was the Sky which caught our gaze..ironic really. Season 3 has been by and by a blast..its miles better than Ugly Betty..even the ugly betty fans would admit that..because well, it's just ugly isnt it.
You see you didnt put your money where your mouths were..and yet you still continue to run advertisments on this site...oh the shame..hang your heads...*points* lower!
But still, theres something about this old place..i dont know whether its the nostalgia..or the memories..or just the fact you first brought LOST to us. You remind me of DHARMA..you had something special..yet you let it slip. As for SKY..well, truth be told im not feeling them..their site is full of spoilers and its as if the Lost Community is the only safe stronghold these days.
Anways, the offer is still on the table. We were once a team C4..you, us and Lost. Remember all the fun we had? Come on, surely this was about more than money...
Originally posted by PrincessSparkle: oh you are joking me!!! people get a grip! they're a company not a bloomin request service!!!
Wow, alot of anger over here these days
The fatcats got fatter off the ridiculous amount of ads on this forum..i believe it is not beyond reason to expect an answer as to their decision to axe LOST, since they still places ads here even though LOST is long finshed on C4 (though i am happy that SKY have it as they show it far earlier than C-poor ever would).
"Those who stand and do nothing, can have no recourse when the fatcats start taking bites into their arms and limbs.." (D-Roc, 2005)
Also, be aware..my visits over here thesedays are usually laced with tongue in cheek action..particularly when calling out C4 ..though i firmly believe in necessary Revolution..do you?
TWO FINGERS...FOR PEACE..or is that VICTORY? *ponders*
C4 Forums 
(though i am happy that SKY have it as they show it far earlier than C-poor ever would).
(D-Roc, 2005)
