How would you fix AOL/TW

[Psycho Fox]

Well since there is a thread on how to fix Disney why not talk about how to fix AOL/TW

First I would make the following independant. Face it they are just too big.

AOL:They just plain suck

Time:Come on they can stand on their own 2 feet and it would shorten the name.

Turner&Hanna-Barbera:Don't need deparments fighting over resorces and territory so they would be better off as a competitor.

WB's cable arm:They go too

CN:Best if a joint bettwen Hanna-Barbera and WB

As for the troublemaking managment (and those that are just jerks) they can go with one of the newly independant companies.

WB's managment, talent and a outside website designer get together to make a webpage that doesn't suck.

Put in misssion statement "Don't piss on the fan base" (like they did with the Harry Potter fans)

Release complete non-edited box sets of all WB shows. There more popular onces with more bouns stuff designed by the talent for each show.

Bring kidsWB back to live with quality new inhouse cartoons.

WBA&the WB nework work together as one. No fighting.

The WB Networks gives time slots to inhouse shows first before putting in shows from outside the WB empire.

Try to have at least one prime time animated show on the WB network.

Go easy on the editing.

Go easy on the talent, let them do their things and just put trust in the fact that they probably know what they are doing. Just be there to curve their spending.

Oh yes the most important thing. Acquire or start up a ad firm so we don't have movies and shows go unnoticed like Cats Don't Dance and Iron Giant.

[DarkMaster]

Broadband
Less commercials

[mbaker]

Hire people who know how to promote animated movies.

Put in A misssion statement that reads "Listen To The Fans".

Buy back Tiny Toons, Animaniacs, and Pinky & The Brain from Nick.

Find A good animated sitcom for The WB.

Cancel "Baby Looney Tunes"

Burn the Live Action Scooby Movie.

Put Tex Avery Cartoons on DVD.

Fire David Arquette, Jamie Kellner, and Jon Peters.

[Jeff Harris]

Originally posted by Psycho Fox
Well since there is a thread on how to fix Disney why not talk about how to fix AOL/TW
They'll probably never do any of these, but if I could fix AOL/Time Warner, this is what I would do.

1. Spin-off America Online. It's a bloated mess of a company with too many legal problems, devaluing the company's stock. It'll be better for them for Time-Warner to spin-off the AOL unit with the company owning a significant share of the company. Plus, they could focus more of their energies on the Entertainment part of their name.

2. Remove Jamie Kellner from the President/CEO role of Turner Broadcasting as well as remove The WB Television Network from the Turner brands. There are many reasons why the Corporate Smirk should be removed, but here are the three most vital reasons:

- Conflict of interest. He owns a small share of The WB, and utilizes all of the Turner resources, most notibly Cartoon Network, to promote The WB while not giving equal time to the Turner networks on The WB.
- Devaluing the company's stock. Since his ascent to the Turner presidency, all of the Turner networks have a drop in viewership while The WB is on the rise. Because of the success of The WB, funds usually set aside for the Turner networks are decreased and moved over to The WB's budget.
- Inhibiting creative expression and development. You've heard about the Rejected debacle, right? Well, this is just the most recent creative inhibition by Kellner. Ask around the boards. I'm sure you'll see more instances which shows his practices stifling show productions. Plus, what was the last new network to come out of Turner Broadcasting in the last year outside of the UK's CNX? Not a one. The Kellner era has created a lethargic network development at Turner, and it's never going to end unless he and The WB properly removed from Turner Broadcasting. Where should he and his network go?

3. Put The WB Television Network and Warner Bros. Television Syndication in a new broadcast/syndication division headed by Kellner.Basically broadcast television and cable television should never be placed in the same unit. Ask Viacom and Disney, and they'll agree. Basically, broadcast units should be in its own division, far away from cable and production units as possible. Basically, I know the lemmings at ATW want to keep Kellner in a power position (I don't want him fired, I want him away from Turner Broadcasting). Okay, here goes. Put him, The WB, and Warner Bros. Television Syndication (which also includes Telepictures Syndication) in a brand new unit - - Warner Bros. Broadcasting and Syndication. That way, The WB could stick to broadcast units as well as decide how to syndicate Warner Bros. properties for broadcast networks.

4. Utilize the principle of synergy. Units working together instead of against each other to make quality entertainment for everybody? Can a principle work? Of course it can. There is no reason why Cartoon Network would have to beg and pay for Warner Bros. Animation shows nor DC Comics should have to pay a licensing fee to turn something like The Sopranos or Harry Potter (two ATW-owned properies) into a comic book. There is such a thing as cooperation. Working together to make magic.

5. Put Warner Bros. Animation and Hanna-Barbera/Cartoon Network Studios in one subdivision within Turner Broadcasting.If its one thing Turner knows is animation. They created Cartoon Network after buying Hanna-Barbera many moons ago. Apparently, they're the only unit within ATW that gives a damn about animation, so it's only natural that the Animation unit of Warner Bros. Entertainment should be a full-fledged part of Turner Broadcasting. The folks at CN instigated WBA to create Justice League, Teen Titans, and What's New, Scooby Doo so, it should be a no-brainer that Warner Bros. Animation and Hanna-Barbera/Cartoon Network Studios should be one cohesive unit within the Cartoon Network mainframe.

6. Merge the resources of Time, Inc. and CNN into a new Time/CNN News division controlled by both Turner Broadcasting and Time, Inc. All this talk about ATW wanting to merge CNN and ABC News had me thinking . . . why? They should basically merge the resources of their Time magazines with CNN to create a new unit, Time/CNN News Media. Rebuild CNN into a complete news channel with a few commentary programs throughout the week. Recreate CNN/SI because it's an idea that should have worked if it was more like Sports Illustrated than ESPNEWS with a weekly sports digest show like Real Sports (only without the pretentious stuck up a-hole that's hosting it, Bryant Gumbel), a daily sports interview show with someone like Jim Rome or Bob Costas (or maybe both). Launch a network ala E! (before they jettisoned entertainment news coverage for babes in bikinis, has-been entertainers, and SNL repeats) powered by Entertainment Weekly. Stuff like that. Develop shows for the syndication market as well, including rebuilding Extra.

That's what I'd do.

[Psycho Fox]

Originally posted by Jeff Harris
4. Utilize the principle of synergy. Units working together instead of against each other to make quality entertainment for everybody? Can a principle work? Of course it can. There is no reason why Cartoon Network would have to beg and pay for Warner Bros. Animation shows nor DC Comics should have to pay a licensing fee to turn something like The Sopranos or Harry Potter (two ATW-owned properies) into a comic book. There is such a thing as cooperation. Working together to make magic.
Yhea I, there has be team work through out the orginazation. So CN shouldn't have to ask for the right to air shows that AOL/TW owns rights to. As long as it don't conflict like Kids WB is using it. Plus all the outlets should help in promotion of AOL/TW products.


5. Put Warner Bros. Animation and Hanna-Barbera/Cartoon Network Studios in one subdivision within Turner Broadcasting.If its one thing Turner knows is animation. They created Cartoon Network after buying Hanna-Barbera many moons ago. Apparently, they're the only unit within ATW that gives a damn about animation, so it's only natural that the Animation unit of Warner Bros. Entertainment should be a full-fledged part of Turner Broadcasting. The folks at CN instigated WBA to create Justice League, Teen Titans, and What's New, Scooby Doo so, it should be a no-brainer that Warner Bros. Animation and Hanna-Barbera/Cartoon Network Studios should be one cohesive unit within the Cartoon Network mainframe. Well I'm not sure if getting them that close is a good idea. WBA and Hanna-Barbera kinda over lap territory. Which is why I suggested a split but if your going to have them as multipul studio's under Turner, will the WB network be able to get exclusive content from these studios without causing infighting.


6. Merge the resources of Time, Inc. and CNN into a new Time/CNN News division controlled by both Turner Broadcasting and Time, Inc. All this talk about ATW wanting to merge CNN and ABC News had me thinking . . . why? They should basically merge the resources of their Time magazines with CNN to create a new unit, Time/CNN News Media. Rebuild CNN into a complete news channel with a few commentary programs throughout the week. Recreate CNN/SI because it's an idea that should have worked if it was more like Sports Illustrated than ESPNEWS with a weekly sports digest show like Real Sports (only without the pretentious stuck up a-hole that's hosting it, Bryant Gumbel), a daily sports interview show with someone like Jim Rome or Bob Costas (or maybe both). Launch a network ala E! (before they jettisoned entertainment news coverage for babes in bikinis, has-been entertainers, and SNL repeats) powered by Entertainment Weekly. Stuff like that. Develop shows for the syndication market as well, including rebuilding Extra.
That makes sence.

[pabcool]

Originally posted by Jeff Harris
2. Remove Jamie Kellner from the President/CEO role of Turner Broadcasting as well as remove The WB Television Network from the Turner brands. There are many reasons why the Corporate Smirk should be removed, but here are the three most vital reasons:

- Conflict of interest. He owns a small share of The WB, and utilizes all of the Turner resources, most notibly Cartoon Network, to promote The WB while not giving equal time to the Turner networks on The WB.
- Devaluing the company's stock. Since his ascent to the Turner presidency, all of the Turner networks have a drop in viewership while The WB is on the rise. Because of the success of The WB, funds usually set aside for the Turner networks are decreased and moved over to The WB's budget.
- Inhibiting creative expression and development. You've heard about the Rejected debacle, right? Well, this is just the most recent creative inhibition by Kellner. Ask around the boards. I'm sure you'll see more instances which shows his practices stifling show productions. Plus, what was the last new network to come out of Turner Broadcasting in the last year outside of the UK's CNX? Not a one. The Kellner era has created a lethargic network development at Turner, and it's never going to end unless he and The WB properly removed from Turner Broadcasting. Where should he and his network go?

Agreed. We've Lost Countless Of Great Shows Because Of Him, Namely WBA. (Road Rovers, Freakazoid, Animaniacs, Tiny Toons, Pinky & The Brain)

[Mynd Hed]

I get to be the first person to state the obvious, yay! I would....

Release Batman: TAS and Batman Beyond, IN ORDER, on DVD.

Make the switch from snapper cases (aka "crap") to keeper cases (aka "good).

Remove all content restrictions from Cartoon Network programming aired between 9 pm and 6 am.

Cut my losses and liquidate AOL.

Oh yeah, and all those, umm, whaddayacallum... "intelligent," "informed" suggestions listed above, too.

(-:

[Psycho Fox]

Originally posted by pabcool
Agreed. We've Lost Countless Of Great Shows Because Of Him, Namely WBA. (Road Rovers, Freakazoid, Animaniacs, Tiny Toons, Pinky & The Brain) Yhea WBA will definitely have to be rebuilt becouse of Kellner.


Originally posted by Mynd Hed
Make the switch from snapper cases (aka "crap") to keeper cases (aka "good).Oh yhea that is a must.

[Matt Hazuda]

Originally posted by Mynd Hed

Make the switch from snapper cases (aka "crap") to keeper cases (aka "good).Gradually happening. New Line(a division of AOL/TW)dropped them for all DVD releases. WB just needs to axe the company that makes snappers, because they own them, or at least have a financial interest in them.


Originally posted by Mynd Hed
Remove all content restrictions from Cartoon Network programming aired between 9 pm and 6 am.
I believe this change occurs starting Jan 1, 2003 when CN switches its broadcast designation from "kids network" to "all ages network"

[Mynd Hed]

Gradually happening. New Line(a division of AOL/TW)dropped them for all DVD releases. WB just needs to axe the company that makes snappers, because they own them, or at least have a financial interest in them.

Yes, this is very true, and the sooner the better I say.


I believe this change occurs starting Jan 1, 2003 when CN switches its broadcast designation from "kids network" to "all ages network"

While they may be lightening their late-night standards a bit, I don't believe for a second that they're going to remove ALL content restrictions. "All ages" or no "all ages," I don't think that we'll be seeing stuff that would easily get a TV-MA rating, like Berserk.

[Matt Hazuda]

Originally posted by Mynd Hed
Yes, this is very true, and the sooner the better I say.



While they may be lightening their late-night standards a bit, I don't believe for a second that they're going to remove ALL content restrictions. "All ages" or no "all ages," I don't think that we'll be seeing stuff that would easily get a TV-MA rating, like Berserk. Berserk will never air on american broadcast or non-premium cable. I know the same thing was said about Cowboy Bebop, but this time it's true.

As for other things that supposedly could get a TV-MA, I believe "Rejected" will air on CN's Adult Swim somnetime in the new year with a TV-MA rating. If they ever got Family Guy, that would probably air with a TV-MA as well even though it was TV-14 on Fox I believe.

[Spookmonkey]

I say only two things really need to be done.

1. Spin off Time Warner back to being its own company (aol IS still the one doing the owning so TW has to spin off)

2. Drop Kellner like a penny off the empire state building.

ok, so 3 things...

3. Replace Kellner with somebody with a more general, real interest in animation (even if they only like disney stuff). If they like and respect it, Kids WB, CN, and Boomerang will grow, maybe even giving a pure action/adventure animation station a chance. Hell, a second thought would be fine.

[Jeff Harris]

Originally posted by Spookmonkey
1. Spin off Time Warner back to being its own company (aol IS still the one doing the owning so TW has to spin off)Not . . . exactly.

See, most of the higher brass at AOL Time Warner now in place came from the previous Time-Warner hierachy from the President to the Entertainment and Online executives. Only Steve Case from AOL remains as his contemporaries like Robert Pittman have left. And if you believe in magic (just like I know you do), Case is on the outs from the board of directors, with guys like Ted Turner (who is techinically the majority shareholder of the company calling him out to resign as well as spin off the AOL units. This time next year, America Online will have new owners (who might be, gasp, Microsoft!), Case will be out of his current position of chairman of the board (and likely replaced by, gasp again, Ted Turner), and the company will once again resemble Time-Warner, rebuilding its image and STILL being the world's largest entertainment company (not to mention getting back in the black from bleeding red ink all these years because of AOL).

[Joe Wagner]

The first thing would have to re-organize AOL to be more accesible to people outside of major cities and limit the scope of the organization until a better work plan can come out that would make it more profitable (perhaps work with smaller ISP providers - upgrade their systems in return for a share of the profit).

As for the problem with their networks I think that the WB needs to find a way to reach the markets that they have yet to be seen in, even if it has to be included in a cable package like TBS and TNT. As for CNN - cut it back to one channel and provide more balance on the news that is reported instead of the constant liberalization of the news they give now.

Also, the idea that DC should have to pay to create a Harry Potter comic should be eliminated - after all, what's the point of being a part of a larger corporation if you can't reap any of the benefits. I would also try and refocus the WB on creating comic movies that are more closely based on the comic properties and also find ways to support the animated properties. While I know that not every property can survive the Superman and Batman animated properties proved to be profitable during their early runs and are still being aired on CN today. This type of research would dictate DTV movies for both properties, much like the Scooby cash cow has dictated.

Also, Kellner would have to go - far, far away.

-Joe!

[Jeff Harris]

Originally posted by Joe Wagner
As for CNN - cut it back to one channel and provide more balance on the news that is reported instead of the constant liberalization of the news they give now.
Oh, you want CNN to be "fair and balanced" like *snicker* Fox News Channel? Or do you actually mean a real fair and balanced news network with EQUAL coverage instead of just a liberal-only (in your eyes, CNN) or conservative-only (in my eyes, FNC)?


Originally posted by Joe Wagner
Also, the idea that DC should have to pay to create a Harry Potter comic should be eliminated - after all, what's the point of being a part of a larger corporation if you can't reap any of the benefits?I agree with that, but the thing about Harry Potter is that ATW owns all rights to the Harry Potter franchise EXCEPT publishing rights, which is still owned by J.K. Rowling, creator of the franchise. And publishing rights includes comics, I believe. Still, I think there should be an loophole that ATW could do a comic adaptation.

[Joe Wagner]

Originally posted by Jeff Harris
Oh, you want CNN to be "fair and balanced" like *snicker* Fox News Channel? Or do you actually mean a real fair and balanced news network with EQUAL coverage instead of just a liberal-only (in your eyes, CNN) or conservative-only (in my eyes, FNC)?


While FNC may appear to be primarily conservative they have often taken on both sides, presented the facts to both representatives and allowed them to give thier own arguements - something that CNN refuses to allow. Not only that but there is a large amount of media outlets that share the same views as CNN (ABC, NBC and CBS Evening News all come to mind here). While I think the best option would be a true fair and balanced newscast - it would take a lot of work to regain this balance within CNN, meaning sweaping changes would definetely have to be made.

-Joe!

[Mynd Hed]

Berserk will never air on american broadcast or non-premium cable. I know the same thing was said about Cowboy Bebop, but this time it's true.

Never say never. I agree that it's unlikely, and I agree that it's EXTREMELY unlikely to happen any time soon. But censorship standards on television have been steadily dropping for a long, long time, and I expect them to continue to do so for a long, long time. Five or ten years down the road, who knows what might be possible? This !@#$ nation has to shake off its fear of everything violent or sexual sometime. Friggin' Puritans....

[Psycho Fox]

Originally posted by Spookmonkey

3. Replace Kellner with somebody with a more general, real interest in animation (even if they only like disney stuff). If they like and respect it, Kids WB, CN, and Boomerang will grow, maybe even giving a pure action/adventure animation station a chance. Hell, a second thought would be fine. Yes, I was thinking maybe taking people from the trenches. With carrer paths that went all the way up more talent might be attracted plus the people in charge would have an idea of how everything they company below them works.