The Travel Channel

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Am I alone in my disappointment with the travel channel? Whenever I've turned it on lately, 9 times out of 10 its one of those food shows. I can only take so much of Anthony Bourdain, after a while his pretentious monologues start to grate on my nerves.

I really don't like to watch people eating gross food, or that guy who tries to eat as much as he can.

I get that these guys are 'traveling' as they do their eating, but still, I wish travel channel would tone these down a bit and show some more, just regular, travel specials.

Maybe the travel channel just doesn't have the same budget as some of the more popular channels, but it would be nice if they wouldn't just air the same specials time after time.

Am I alone in this, or do others think that the travel channel is slipping?

 

[Elvistelth]

I dislike the fat pig known as Andrew Zimmern. I really couldn't care less what kind of offal he chooses to pour into his outsized gut. The people in 3rd world countries eat that mess because they're poor and don't have other options. Why should someone who's not in that position do it too?

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

I was just telling my dh that the other day! I am sick of Bizarre Foods, No Reservations, ghosts and the same Extreme Waterparks over and over and over again!!!

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

Oh, and I forgot to mention the new show - Bite Me!!!

 

[Castlebound]

I want the Travel Channel to get back to travel shows. Our local PBS station has more travel shows than the Travel Channel.

 

[mishasmom]

I totally agree! They don't really show any travel shows anymore (I just don't think Bizarre Foods and No Reservations really qualify as travel shows), and the ones they do show are re-runs. I used to like Samantha Brown, but she became the Rachael Ray of the Travel Channel (always on!!) and seemed to get a little snobby so I'm sick of her, too.

 

[Angelhalo]

I never really watched it before because I loathe Samantha Brown and got tired of all the exact same cruise and Disney specials that were played ad nauseum. DH and I adore Andrew Zimmern though. He is funny and we love watching all the places he goes. Neither of us cares much for Anthony Bourdain. He's so smug.

 

[etoiles]

I completely agree. I hate to watch people eat gross stuff and that seems to the the majority of their shows! There is so much interesting travel stuff that they could do they could really build up their audience.

I would like to see some budget travel shows like a show that tells about the best places to go on a road trip from ____ (different city each time) or budget things to do in different cities. I'm sure with the economy the way it is they could get people to watch.

 

[HunnyPots]

You are not alone! I have no desire to watch people eat. Really, how much fun is that? I was also sick to death of World Poker Tour when that was going strong. Right now the only things worth watching are the Samantha Brown shows. At least she goes places and does things besides eat!

 

[S. C.]

I dislike the fat pig known as Andrew Zimmern. I really couldn't care less what kind of offal he chooses to pour into his outsized gut. The people in 3rd world countries eat that mess because they're poor and don't have other options. Why should someone who's not in that position do it too?

I don't care for his show either. But that is no reason to call him a fat pig.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I would like to see some budget travel shows like a show that tells about the best places to go on a road trip from ____ (different city each time) or budget things to do in different cities. I'm sure with the economy the way it is they could get people to watch.

Yeah! There used to be a show that my family and I watched about a weird/funny guy in an RV who traveled around the US to different places. I wish I could remember what it was called. But I agree, shows like that would be a refreshing change.

 

[Elvistelth]

Oh, and I forgot to mention the new show - Bite Me!!!

I forgot to mention it too...but since you brought it up. A masochist pretending to be a doctor, allowing himself to be bitten by things. That's just sick. I hope he does us all a favor and finds an nice king cobra or green mamba and lets it have its way with him. Problem solved

 

[S. C.]

I forgot to mention it too...but since you brought it up. A masochist pretending to be a doctor, allowing himself to be bitten by things. That's just sick. I hope he does us all a favor and finds an nice king cobra or green mamba and lets it have its way with him. Problem solved

 

[S. C.]

Someone forgot to take their happy pill today!

 

[bicker]

I don't think The Tracel Channel is "slipping". The nature of the channel has always been that it held its audience's attention for a limited period of time, depending on the person, and then the person lost interest. Many niche channels face the same quandary. They don't really lend themselves to a continual renewal of interest.

The best way to confront that problem is to broaden the appeal, including a variety of related programming, and expanding the realm of the niche - essentially going more mainstream. Those that do make the leap get viciously criticized by folks not yet disillusioned. The Travel Channel hasn't done that, perhaps fearful of upsetting what they think is their core, and I think they're going to end up paying for that in the long-run.

If you want to see a good model for this, look at Sci Fi. Next week, the channel is being rebadged "Syfy". Already, and for years, they've been working to distance themselves from being cast as a "science fiction-only" channel. They've included a variety of programming, ranging from game shows (Mad House) to the very strange (Ghost Hunters). They're seeking to keep themselves relevant and vital by working to become a lifestyle brand, rather than just a pigeonholed television network.

It may or may not be enough for Syfy. Clearly The Travel Channel isn't even trying. For now, it might be okay. There is a sufficiently large flow of new cable subscribers each year who see the channel as something they've never had before. However, that's going to run out eventually. And if retail a la carte ever becomes a reality, can The Travel Channel survive if its subscribers actually have to pay a couple of dollars per month, specifically to receive that channel? I don't know.

 

[JessicaR]

I believe The Travel Channel changed owners last year. I used to love this channel, now I barely watch.

 

[Elvistelth]

Someone forgot to take their happy pill today!

Do you need pills to be happy?

 

[S. C.]

Do you need pills to be happy?

Not at all. Seems some do though.

 

[Elvistelth]

I'll bet Andrew Zimmern needs lots of pills after he eats the entrails he calls food.

 

[bicker]

I believe The Travel Channel changed owners last year.

Ownership has changed, but distribution has not: Even though Cox now owns it, Discovery still distributes it. It hasn't really changed very much -- and that (again) is the problem.