The typical action cartoon franchise production formula

*neatoman* · 10-17-2014, 05:49 AM

So the ratings are not doing so hot right now huh? That's probably pretty normal actually, most cartoons don't even get three seasons, kids are fickle after all. Even if we don't get a fifth season, it will still have had a good run.

Obviously Nickelodeon won't give up on the franchise if this show fails and there will be TMNT cartoons after it, but instead of starting a show and ordering seasons to see how long it lasts, what if they start using the more typical formula?
This formula usually applies to action cartoons and seems to work fairly well.

1. Design a show to last 1-3 seasons, or 52-65 episodes.
2. After it has run it's course, wait a year or two.
3. Start over from step 1.

It has worked for Transformers for almost twenty years.

*Shark_Blade* · 10-17-2014, 05:58 AM

I hope they'd do anything to help the ratings.

The story is increasingly more interesting than ever, I don't want them to pull the plug half way through. But seeing Nick purchased until season 4 (?), I think we're good...

*ssjup81* · 10-17-2014, 06:05 AM

I thought one of the main problems with this series is that it's not promoted well and that it doesn't seem to have a consistent time slot and that online viewings doesn't count towards ratings.

*BubblyShell22* · 10-17-2014, 06:47 AM

Yes, I can see this happening at one point. Seems to me that with season 4 only having 20 episodes instead of the standard 26 that we've been getting, it makes me think that this show may end at season 4. But if I'm wrong, then that's fine because I'd like to see it last at least five seasons if that.

*miru* · 10-17-2014, 09:08 AM

Well, considering this leads to a lot of poorly-made series (the Unicron Trilogy, Teen Titans Go, etc)...

I'm indifferent.

*neatoman* · 10-17-2014, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miru

Well, considering this leads to a lot of poorly-made series (the Unicron Trilogy, Teen Titans Go, etc)...

I'm indifferent.

I never said they would be good cartoons, just financially reliable cartoons...

*IndigoErth* · 10-17-2014, 12:17 PM

Wait a year or two? Are you kidding, the summer hiatus of this series was painful enough. lol

I dunno, while I can't say I really have any idea about other shows and who they have appealed to, TMNT at least has in it's favor that it has a strong and largely loyal adult fanbase, even if it wasn't intended or expected.

The kids might get bored and wander off, or reach the age some question an age limit on cartoons... adult fans though can help pick up the slack. And heard the call without even being asked to attend the party. lol

I'd really love to see actual viewer demographic numbers.

Have to agree with comments on weak advertising though. I glanced past a recent article last night (can't find it again.. damn) that, if I recall correctly, stated it was within the top five most watched cartoons (assume that includes only 'kids' cartoons), in the U.S. at least. And while that is nice, where is the level of advertising they should be airing?

Really makes me think that Nick is just assuming that an already successful cartoon can stand on it's own with minimal advertisement. While pushing some of that other junk at a high rate to try to ensure their profit?

Kind of curious how frequently commercials might be on right in the after school hours. I saw one earlier, but that was while kids were in the middle of the school day. Not too helpful.

Well... fingers crossed, maybe the viewership will pick up soon with the seasons changing, no longer light out at 8pm for the kids, and getting colder might mean staying warm in front of the tv more often.

*Metalwolf* · 10-17-2014, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubblyShell22

Yes, I can see this happening at one point. Seems to me that with season 4 only having 20 episodes instead of the standard 26 that we've been getting, it makes me think that this show may end at season 4. But if I'm wrong, then that's fine because I'd like to see it last at least five seasons if that.

That's what I'm thinking too. I suspect that they'll have it end at Season 4 and then wait a few years, and then start up another show. I'm betting through that this version is sort of a learning experience, and they're finding out what to do and not to do for the next one.

*IndigoErth* · 10-17-2014, 12:27 PM

What if when this one were to end they suddenly sprung a secretly started new one on the audience that's a continuation of this one, but the characters are an older version of themselves? o.O Really wish that would be the case at the end of this one. *audience craps bricks*

*CyberCubed* · 10-17-2014, 12:43 PM

The show will have 98 episodes by the time Season 4 ends. Pretty sure it'll have a few more seasons after that.

*Luckyday* · 10-17-2014, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndigoErth

What if when this one were to end they suddenly sprung a secretly started new one on the audience that's a continuation of this one, but the characters are an older version of themselves? o.O Really wish that would be the case at the end of this one. *audience craps bricks*

They can use mirage volume 4 as a template!

*Refractive Reflections* · 10-17-2014, 03:48 PM

Doing this cyclic approach every 3-4 years would dilute the anticipation of a new series every time for us fans (since the character growth and journeys would be so short), but I don't know how the kids would react since a new generation of kids (within primary school) would be growing up with each new series.

But a stronger point is, considering how in 2013, Spongebob reruns were doing better than newly created Nick TMNT episodes on the Nickelodeon network (and this was when the Nick series was pulling in 2.5-3.0 million), I don't know how enthusiastic Nick is willing to bring back the TMNT series again:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refractive Reflections

What's even worse is that throughout 2013, Nick TMNT couldn't even make it to Nick's Top 50 most watched program list for 2013:
http://www.nickandmore.com/2013/12/2...grams-of-2013/ Even after all the Spongebob episodes are removed, Nick TMNT finally shows up in 10th place! ...Then 19th, then 23rd, then 24th...

*neatoman* · 10-17-2014, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckyday

They can use mirage volume 4 as a template! http://www.narutoforums.com/images/s...es2/omges1.png

Wasn't the typical response to volume 4 that it was bizarre? With the magic drawing April and T-Raph and Micro-Donnie in Mecha-Donnie and Wood-Utroms and Battle Nexus Shredder and whatever else?

*IndigoErth* · 10-17-2014, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refractive Reflections

But a stronger point is, considering how in 2013, Spongebob reruns were doing better than newly created Nick TMNT episodes on the Nickelodeon network (and this was when the Nick series was pulling in 2.5-3.0 million), I don't know how enthusiastic Nick is willing to bring back the TMNT series again:

Is that collectively though? Because Spongebob seems to be literally on almost all the time. With it on so much, I question how often it may simply be the channel a tv is set on in the background simply because it's Nick/a cartoon channel while not necessarily being paid that much attention to.

*BubblyShell22* · 10-17-2014, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The show will have 98 episodes by the time Season 4 ends. Pretty sure it'll have a few more seasons after that.

Stop saying things like you know they'll come true without any knowledge of whether it will or not. Man, you p*ss me off!

*CyberCubed* · 10-17-2014, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubblyShell22

Stop saying things like you know they'll come true without any knowledge of whether it will or not. Man, you p*ss me off!

Saying the show will have more seasons really bothers you? I'm not sure why, you think people would want the show to go on longer.

Leofan26 · 10-17-2014, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The show will have 98 episodes by the time Season 4 ends. Pretty sure it'll have a few more seasons after that.

??? Isn't season four shorter than season three? Thought I read that.

What universe have you been living in? Every series on Nick only has four seasons at best, same with Disney unless they are insanely popular and has crazy ratings like the stupid sponge gets or Rugrats had before the sponge came in. If it was on Cartoon Network maybe, Ed, Edd n Eddy had seven seasons and a movie, Codename kids next Door I think had six and two specials and a movie.

I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you. With ratings taking a dive already, yah.

*neatoman* · 10-17-2014, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubblyShell22

Stop saying things like you know they'll come true without any knowledge of whether it will or not. Man, you p*ss me off!

I think he's confusing hopes and predictions. Just tell him to analyse facts and think a little more about trends.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

The show will have 98 episodes by the time Season 4 ends. Pretty sure it'll have a few more seasons after that.

OK CyberCubed we know you want seven seasons, I want seven seasons too, but you can't proclaim it will have seven seasons when the popularity is dropping.

*neatoman* · 10-17-2014, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Saying the show will have more seasons really bothers you? I'm not sure why, you think people would want the show to go on longer.

No, nobody here is saying they don't want more seasons, we're saying it's not a realistic expectation.

*BubblyShell22* · 10-17-2014, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Saying the show will have more seasons really bothers you? I'm not sure why, you think people would want the show to go on longer.

What bothers me is that you say it like it's fact. If you want to make a prediction on how long it'll last, say, "I predict that the Nick show will last up to seven seasons." That way, everyone knows it's your prediction and not something you're stating as a fact.

View Poll Results: Could you see this happen?
Yes	8	80.00%
No	2	20.00%
Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll

10-17-2014, 06:47 AM	#4
BubblyShell22 Leo-holic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 16,912	Yes, I can see this happening at one point. Seems to me that with season 4 only having 20 episodes instead of the standard 26 that we've been getting, it makes me think that this show may end at season 4. But if I'm wrong, then that's fine because I'd like to see it last at least five seasons if that. __________________ "A warrior who never fails, never learns."-The Ancient One. "Embrace your inner a**holiness."-Mr. Anderson.

10-17-2014, 09:08 AM	#5
miru Mad Scientist Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,874	Well, considering this leads to a lot of poorly-made series (the Unicron Trilogy, Teen Titans Go, etc)... I'm indifferent. __________________ Proud Digimon nut.

10-17-2014, 05:58 AM	#2
Shark_Blade Emperor Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7,909	I hope they'd do anything to help the ratings. The story is increasingly more interesting than ever, I don't want them to pull the plug half way through. But seeing Nick purchased until season 4 (?), I think we're good...

10-17-2014, 06:05 AM	#3
ssjup81 Foot Elite Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Central Virginia (Back in the US) Posts: 4,734	I thought one of the main problems with this series is that it's not promoted well and that it doesn't seem to have a consistent time slot and that online viewings doesn't count towards ratings.

10-17-2014, 12:17 PM	#7
IndigoErth Team Blue Boy Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: U.S., East Coast Posts: 16,293	Wait a year or two? Are you kidding, the summer hiatus of this series was painful enough. lol I dunno, while I can't say I really have any idea about other shows and who they have appealed to, TMNT at least has in it's favor that it has a strong and largely loyal adult fanbase, even if it wasn't intended or expected. The kids might get bored and wander off, or reach the age some question an age limit on cartoons... adult fans though can help pick up the slack. And heard the call without even being asked to attend the party. lol I'd really love to see actual viewer demographic numbers. Have to agree with comments on weak advertising though. I glanced past a recent article last night (can't find it again.. damn) that, if I recall correctly, stated it was within the top five most watched cartoons (assume that includes only 'kids' cartoons), in the U.S. at least. And while that is nice, where is the level of advertising they should be airing? Really makes me think that Nick is just assuming that an already successful cartoon can stand on it's own with minimal advertisement. While pushing some of that other junk at a high rate to try to ensure their profit? Kind of curious how frequently commercials might be on right in the after school hours. I saw one earlier, but that was while kids were in the middle of the school day. Not too helpful. Well... fingers crossed, maybe the viewership will pick up soon with the seasons changing, no longer light out at 8pm for the kids, and getting colder might mean staying warm in front of the tv more often.

10-17-2014, 12:27 PM	#9
IndigoErth Team Blue Boy Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: U.S., East Coast Posts: 16,293	What if when this one were to end they suddenly sprung a secretly started new one on the audience that's a continuation of this one, but the characters are an older version of themselves? o.O Really wish that would be the case at the end of this one. audience craps bricks

10-17-2014, 12:43 PM	#10
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,832	The show will have 98 episodes by the time Season 4 ends. Pretty sure it'll have a few more seasons after that.