Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on May 26, 2020 5:37:17 GMT
[...] If someone is uncertain, though, I don't understand why they'd want to take a risk at box set price. If you're not sure, why not start with the releases that have been deeply discounted and see if you like them? That's what sold me on DW ranges, not box set prices. [...] Thinking about this more, I think that's what the Main Range is shaping up to be. An enormous sample bag. Somewhere to dip your toes, get a feel for Big Finish and audio dramas in general, then when you're caught up -- or are interested in a current Doctor -- you can slide across to the dedicated ranges. [...] I do have issues with the formatting as well, I've gotten quite conditioned by hearing so many two hour stories and hearing them again. I can hear a brilliant one hour story and still feel shortchanged just because it was only an hour. There are a number of very good Fourth Doctor Adventures that seem lackluster just because of that. The Monthly Range and Early Adventures have been priceless for keeping up the two hour format. [...] I think that two-hour format is probably the most crucial element to keep across the transition. As a listener, I'm hoping the change will be more towards The Fifth Doctor Boxset ( Psychodrome/Iteration of I), Philip Hinchcliffe Presents boxsets or any number of 3DA stories as Jeedi mentioned, rather than defaulting to 60-minute episodes. One of the biggest draws for the Main Range -- irrespective of incarnation -- has been that reliability. It's been very rewarding from whoa-to-go. To lose that format in favour of something shorter would be to lose something quintessential to classic era Who. That stability's a big draw for many listeners. Myself included. I don't get the impression that's where it's going to go, though. Not from the current output. Given what's been done elsewhere with other Doctors, I'm imagining something closer to: I guess the main points of interest for me with the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors, in particular, are the: - Pricing scheme (is the £27.50 for three-releases subscription a preview of what to expect for former Monthly Doctors?)
- Format (are they keeping the four-parters as their standard? Are they packed as a pair, trilogy or something else?)
- Schedule (when should we expect these to drop?)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on May 26, 2020 6:47:23 GMT
Have to say that... it's definitely the right move. 👍
|
|
|
Post by bohnny on May 26, 2020 7:22:58 GMT
Don't believe it 20 + Years a Subscriber I'm an awkward one that'll have to contact Sales Regards mark687 I’m in the same boat - although not quite the grizzled veteran you are (but well over 10 all the same).
|
|
|
Post by Timelord007 on May 26, 2020 8:14:47 GMT
Well this news has pi.sed me off, so it's all about box sets now, i think BF gone box set happy & this news has angered & upset me as i love the monthly range 4 episode 2 hour format.
Box sets work for bigger story arcs like Time War but surely not every story needs to be 4 hours long & as muckypup said I'm sick of hearing about new fans, so my 20 year purchases of double dipping & spending £10,000's of pounds don't mean anything because BF want to pander to new subscribers so older us older loyal subscribers can go do a running jump it seems.
All BF need to do are merge the 4DA & Early Adventures into the monthly range continuing the same 4 episode 2 hour format & do a subscribers choice of releases, not make every ruddy release a box set.
Not happy about this, BF catered to the Classic Doctor's New Adventures idea which seems to be forgotten now because of there box set addiction.
If it ain't broke don't fix it just retweek it, then again what do i know I'm a analogue signal in a digital age.
|
|
|
Post by project37 on May 26, 2020 8:46:48 GMT
Marvel Comics went through a similar challenge in attracting new readers, because they had fans curious about the characters after seeing the movies and then intimidated/confused by the idea of jumping on with Iron Man issue #43 - an expensive $3.99 issue for 22 pages of an incomplete story ("do I need to buy/read #1-42 to understand what's going on?").
So they also release their own "box sets" of trade paperbacks that collect complete arcs (trying to keep things accessible and appeal to a new generation that binges entertainment media) and also often "relaunch" their series every so often to keep the issue numbers low to try and appeal to new/casual fans. Old-guard fans/long-term customers grumbled at first but bought them anyway.
I always love reading what you all have to say about the monthly titles but haven't purchased/listened to anything from the main range in years. Nothing about it has called out as essential to me. Box sets on the other hand, are appealing and once in a while I'm intrigued enough to jump in (Legacy of Time and the 3rd Doctor set with Liz, for example).
Change is good but I also get why it can be scary. Personally, I think this is a great move and can only speculate that it's a good and carefully-made decision not just from a business sense but also a production sense as well. I'd love more well-crafted story arcs like the original Klein trilogy. If this approach opens up the story development schedule for the different Doctors then I'm all for it.
|
|
mbt66
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 3,081
|
Post by mbt66 on May 26, 2020 9:02:35 GMT
This is Doctor Who, there should never be talk of ending only new beginnings.
Having thought about this over night I think that Big Finish have missed a trick here. They should have gone with the Monthly Range is regenerating into the Classic Doctor Who monthly range. Incorporating all seven of the Doctors from the classic run of the television series. Each month one of the Doctors will have their own box set release.
It would make sense to me. Then leave the NuWho Doctors and on going Eighth Doctor adventures to supplement.
Unless they are planning on radically reducing their output.
|
|
|
Post by doctorluna2001 on May 26, 2020 9:07:49 GMT
I don't mind the shift to boxsets, I only discovered big finish about 2 years ago and is unlikely to affect me for some time as I very rarely buy any of the recent stuff unless they're part of a sale. However, I prefer to dip in and out of ranges and I to be able to get as much for my money as possible. For example, I would rather be able to choose 3 really good main range stories than 1 boxset that had 1 really good story and 2 average or weak stories. I wonder if there will be the option to buy stories individually as well, like with the 10th Doctor Adventures. But I support the change.
|
|
aztec
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 2,849
|
Post by aztec on May 26, 2020 9:25:01 GMT
Box sets work for bigger story arcs like Time War but surely not every story needs to be 4 hours long & as muckypup said I'm sick of hearing about new fans, so my 20 year purchases of double dipping & spending £10,000's of pounds don't mean anything because BF want to pander to new subscribers so older us older loyal subscribers can go do a running jump it seems. Not happy about this, BF catered to the Classic Doctor's New Adventures idea which seems to be forgotten now because of there box set addiction. Agreed In the age of streaming and limited run arc heavy tv series perhaps a move to boxset format makes sense from a marketing point of view to interest new listeners...on the other hand I'm not so convinced the financial side of things will be approachable for new listeners, a one off payment of £14.99 (or £2.99) for a standalone MR story is an easier gamble than a £25-40 boxset (which is about the same price as an entire series of TV Who), moreover a boxset that may split an arc over multiple releases/years... Tbh the only range I actually follow 100% is the 8th Doctor, I've dipped in and out of the other doctors by picking and choosing various MR etc stories, a move to boxsets across the board means splurging more money at a time...and means less purchases from me...
|
|
mbt66
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 3,081
|
Post by mbt66 on May 26, 2020 9:46:02 GMT
With Doctors Five, Six and Seven now moving to box sets I am surprised they didn’t leave some of their 2020 output to early 2021 to “replace” the monthly range. The Sixth Doctor has his Sixth Doctor and Peri set and the Fifth Doctor has the Wicked Sisters. The later would be apt to start the new era of the monthly range as the Graceless Twins started the main range revamp to trilogies back in 2009.
And of course the Seventh Doctor had the Dark Universe which really should have been a box set at the very least if not a full Dark Eyes run of adventures.
Of course the sets quoted are not in the Classic era format, so perhaps that is a strong indication that they will continue the four parters when their new ranges come.
|
|
|
Post by johnhurtdoctor on May 26, 2020 9:48:19 GMT
Well this news has pi.sed me off, so it's all about box sets now, i think BF gone box set happy & this news has angered & upset me as i love the monthly range 4 episode 2 hour format. Box sets work for bigger story arcs like Time War but surely not every story needs to be 4 hours long & as muckypup said I'm sick of hearing about new fans, so my 20 year purchases of double dipping & spending £10,000's of pounds don't mean anything because BF want to pander to new subscribers so older us older loyal subscribers can go do a running jump it seems. All BF need to do are merge the 4DA & Early Adventures into the monthly range continuing the same 4 episode 2 hour format & do a subscribers choice of releases, not make every ruddy release a box set. Not happy about this, BF catered to the Classic Doctor's New Adventures idea which seems to be forgotten now because of there box set addiction. If it ain't broke don't fix it just retweek it, then again what do i know I'm a analogue signal in a digital age. Agree. Why are BF obsessed with boxsets? & does the move to boxsets mean more epic foe to the Timelords/mythical timelord monster turning up to destroy the universe...again...over a 16 hour story that takes 2 years to end? How on earth would that bring in new listeners? I understand the need to bring new customers into the fold but surely crossover events, like The Timelord Victorious stuff is the way to do it? Especially given BFs dire PR department. They obviously know their figures for sales but surely they must also know & accept that audio drama in general is a niche market, Dr. Who audio Drama even more so!
|
|
aztec
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 2,849
|
Post by aztec on May 26, 2020 9:54:44 GMT
I think this thread needs a poll...
Tbh I'm actually a bit surprised by how mixed the reaction has been to this news, BF audios are a niche product but this forum is at the heart of their fan community, I wonder how this news has been recieved elsewhere?
Comments on reddit/Gallifreybase seem broadly positive but the reaction on Facebook seems decidedly more mixed...
|
|
lidar2
Castellan
You know, now that you mention it, I actually do rather like Attack of the Cybermen ...
Likes: 5,813
|
Post by lidar2 on May 26, 2020 9:55:04 GMT
I don't get the impression that's where it's going to go, though. Not from the current output. Given what's been done elsewhere with other Doctors, I'm imagining something closer to: I guess the main points of interest for me with the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors, in particular, are the: - Pricing scheme (is the £27.50 for three-releases subscription a preview of what to expect for former Monthly Doctors?)
- Format (are they keeping the four-parters as their standard? Are they packed as a pair, trilogy or something else?)
- Schedule (when should we expect these to drop?)
I hope you're right in your forecast. I would agree the 3 questions you ask are probably the most crucial and that information was not in the announcement so it is hard to form a view on the changes. The answers to those questions will depend how I feel about those changes. For me format is the most important. I will be very miffed if it goes to NuWho style 60 minute episodes - I can cope with the occasional 2 or 6 parter, but overall I do like my traditional four parters!
I'm not really sure what to make of the 6B comment - given that BF has already gone with the alternate 5B theory in The Black Hole it is hard to see how they make this work. Plus, 6B was one of Magnus Magister's pet hates, we don't want to attract him back under any circumstances.
|
|
|
Post by whiskeybrewer on May 26, 2020 9:57:45 GMT
It was expected yet unexpected at the same time.
The Only plus for me is that it may give me a chance to catch up on the Main Range when no more are added.
|
|
|
Post by mark687 on May 26, 2020 10:03:56 GMT
I personally have a few questions about this change.. Does this mean the boxsets for 5/6/7 will be 2-2cd stories? Will there still be 12 individual stories per calendar year? What will the numbering be after #275, if any. Does this mean less individual covers? I am sure I probably missed this info in the press release, so much info to absorb and read-between-the-lines. All Vailed Questions all not mentioned other than the Tweet I found UpThread Regards mark687
|
|
ljwilson
Chancellery Guard
It's tangerine....not orange
Likes: 5,062
|
Post by ljwilson on May 26, 2020 10:24:28 GMT
I'm not in the slightest bit bothered by this change, and until we find out how these new 'box sets' will look in terms of their format it is all just speculation at this stage.
What is clear, and has been for ages, is that CD sales are on their way out. Not totally, but the old model of storing loads of CDs in the mysterious BF warehouse doesn't work anymore, especially cost wise. That is the main driver of the change I reckon, and going forward they will produce very limited CD runs per release and really push downloads.
|
|
lidar2
Castellan
You know, now that you mention it, I actually do rather like Attack of the Cybermen ...
Likes: 5,813
|
Post by lidar2 on May 26, 2020 10:34:19 GMT
I'm not in the slightest bit bothered by this change, and until we find out how these new 'box sets' will look in terms of their format it is all just speculation at this stage. What is clear, and has been for ages, is that CD sales are on their way out. Not totally, but the old model of storing loads of CDs in the mysterious BF warehouse doesn't work anymore, especially cost wise. That is the main driver of the change I reckon, and going forward they will produce very limited CD runs per release and really push downloads. The other driver nobody is really mentioning is that the 3 main range docs are not getting any younger and sooner or later the 3 MR docs is going to be 2 and then 1. Not nice to think about and we all hope that day is many years away . . . . but it will come and BF have to have an alternative model in place for when it does
|
|
|
Post by shallacatop on May 26, 2020 10:53:04 GMT
I would be fascinated to see the reception the announcement got if they didn't mention new customers at all. Just a briefer statement that states they will be retiring the monthly range and the replacement will allow them to stretch the format further. Potentially with an FAQ of common questions they should have anticipated to get.
It is all speculation at this stage and I have seen a lot of exaggeration about the news, and not necessarily on this forum. I truly think the only real basis we have to go on currently are the prices offered by Big Finish for three releases and that they typically get 12 episodes of content from their Doctors. Coupled with their comments about longer / shorter stories, arcs and different TARDIS teams, I don't think that necessarily says it'll be Doom Coalition style epics, or Fourth Doctor Adventure style two parters. I think the reality will be a hybrid of everything - essentially stretching the format further.
There's been some interesting discussion about pricing and I remember us all talking about this back when Big Finish discussed implementing the exchange rate change. I think some of us decided we thought the CD prices weren't too bad, but their download prices are expensive and just slightly cheaper than the physical releases. Certainly in the UK anyway. It will be interesting to see if any pricing changes to coincide with these new sets.
A monthly range trilogy equivalent might be £32.50 on CD, essentially giving you a story for free in comparison to the current monthly range prices. The £27.50 for three on download might be an expensive outgoing for new customers and a more lucrative download price of, say, £20 might be more appealing and an upswing in customers may compensate for that. I'd love to see a complete reworking of the Big Finish pricing structure, as I think they stick to a format a little too much, which means some releases seem far dearer, and therefore less value for money, than others; e.g. Twelfth Doctor Chronicles set vs Stranded.
I genuinely think there's something in lowering the download prices and seeing what it does. I've suggested it many times, but I'd permanently reduce the download prices of Classic Doctors, New Monsters 1 & 2, Tenth Doctor Adventures 1, The Diary of River Song 1, The War Doctor 1 & The War Master 1. From there you get a variety of all the Doctors that have worked for Big Finish and add in a couple of favourites, all of which seep into other ranges. That might be a better way to get new fans on board.
All pure speculation, of course.
|
|
|
Post by relativetime on May 26, 2020 10:59:22 GMT
From the sound of it. I think it’s just the fact that other than the fact that the Monthly Range will indeed transition to box sets for each Doctor, we don’t really know anything about what this is going to look like. I’m personally excited to hear we’ll be exploring stories with Dodo, the Season 6B Second Doctor, and Sarah Jane, but I’m not sure if that was what needed to be focused on first and foremost.
I’m not sure whether box sets are exactly the best way to go myself. I think pursuing a subscription-based streaming service or something similar might be appealing if the goal is to attract new customers. I doubt the format alone is why boxsets sell so well - I’d think it was the special events like multiple Masters teaming up or a well-known New or Classic character meeting a particular Doctor - but I don’t have access to the figures myself so it’s just pure speculation and tin-foil here.
|
|
|
Post by cwm on May 26, 2020 11:10:31 GMT
BF have also said it is their intention to start recording further in advance with Peter, Colin and Sylv in the way they do with Tom, and I would imagine each Doctor having their own range will make the logistics of that easier.
|
|
lidar2
Castellan
You know, now that you mention it, I actually do rather like Attack of the Cybermen ...
Likes: 5,813
|
Post by lidar2 on May 26, 2020 11:14:52 GMT
There's been some interesting discussion about pricing and I remember us all talking about this back when Big Finish discussed implementing the exchange rate change. I think some of us decided we thought the CD prices weren't too bad, but their download prices are expensive and just slightly cheaper than the physical releases. Certainly in the UK anyway. It will be interesting to see if any pricing changes to coincide with these new sets. All pure speculation, of course. I've often wondered if downloads are not as cheap as they could be and if DLs in effect subsidise CDs? But, as you say, all pure speculation
|
|