TV Tuesday: Viewing Resources

[yourlibrarian]

Do you miss printed show episode guides that summed up plots and provided episode facts or are wikis and other online sources equal or better options? What makes you try out new shows? Take the poll ✅

If you have specific resources to recommend or want to detail what you use, please share in a comment!

Poll #34122 TV Resources

This poll is anonymous.
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 15

What resources do you use for TV show selection or scheduling?

View Answers

Printed guides
2 (13.3%)

Website lists
9 (60.0%)

Your own notes
6 (40.0%)

Social media
8 (53.3%)

Fandom rec lists
6 (40.0%)

Something else
6 (40.0%)

What factors are involved when you choose a new show to watch?

View Answers

Cast
10 (66.7%)

Overall theme
11 (73.3%)

Genre
11 (73.3%)

Recommendation from someone you know
6 (40.0%)

Reviews
5 (33.3%)

Recommendation from other viewers
5 (33.3%)

Streaming service "for you" lists
4 (26.7%)

Personal mood
9 (60.0%)

Rating Sites (i.e., Rotten Tomatoes)
2 (13.3%)

Wanting a mix of different types of shows
1 (6.7%)

Showrunners/writers
4 (26.7%)

Ties to other shows (spinoffs, reboots, sister shows)
9 (60.0%)

Fandom for the show/fan-created guides
4 (26.7%)

Something else
1 (6.7%)

Are there resources you use while you're viewing an episode?

View Answers

No
2 (13.3%)

Yes, info on the cast/looking up a familiar face
13 (86.7%)

Yes, info on the plot/refresher of a season
1 (6.7%)

Yes, info on particular episodes
5 (33.3%)

Yes, fan reactions to the episode/particular developments
1 (6.7%)

Yes, info about showrunners/writers
2 (13.3%)

Yes, looking for spoilers
2 (13.3%)

Yes, something else
0 (0.0%)

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

I keep a doc on my computer where I write down shows others have mentioned, and I divide it by streaming service. Because we cycle our viewing during the year, I'd never remember what to see when we sign up. Also handy, I discovered, because if we haven't used a service recently enough, our watchlist will disappear. It was over a year since we used Netflix and when we tried to reactivate the account this month, found that they had deleted it. We'd had it since 2011.

I don't use anything while watching but my partner does often pause viewing to look up the cast when we spot someone we can't place. I noticed that while Amazon usually does this for us, as we can check the cast on screen, it depends on who it counts as being in the scene.

Speaking of my partner, sometimes I'll also choose a show because I think he'll like it. But because we can rarely watch together, I definitely choose a lot of things I plan to see on my own.

[jo]

Re: the first question, I wasn't entirely sure what you mean by website lists, so I also ticked something else just in case we're thinking of different things. Anyway, I will always look at any "Must-see shows of (year)!" type articles I come across, and make a note (a sticky post in my own DW journal) of any that sound interesting. Everyday, the Guardian has a "what to watch tonight" column and every weekend, they have a "Top shows to stream this week" column -- again I always look at those and make note of anything that sounds potentially interesting. I also will regularly google "Shows premiering in (upcoming month)" and read through various lists from different sites -- again making note of anything that catches my eye. Those lists typically don't have any descriptions attached to them, just the titles, so I often then google the titles of shows I don't know to see what they're about.

Re: the second question, I almost always do consider reviews, simply because there is SO much out there, and my time is limited, so if something gets pretty meh reviews across the board, well, doesn't mean I won't watch it, but I will likely prioritize something else. That said, I am of course very conscious of the fact that certain genres tend to get more poorly reviewed than others, e.g. science fiction, so in some cases, I don't really care what the reviewers have to say. I do have genres that I prefer, such as sci-fi, or police procedurals, so I naturally gravitate towards those types of shows. And my mood does come into play -- if I am feeling quite tired, I won't start anything that likely has a more complex plot, I'll favour more run-of-the-mill shows where it doesn't really matter if I doze off while watching.

On rare occasions, I will use my phone to check if some actor in a minor role is someone I remember from some other show, but that's about it while watching something. I may look up stuff about the show or episode (usually filming locations to confirm if it is actually Toronto), or upcoming episodes at other times, but not while actually watching.

[yourlibrarian]

It could cover a lot of things. Some websites specialize in TV reviews and recommendations, sometimes it's an article in a general news source, sometimes it's a show specific guide site, etc. I figured I'd leave it somewhat general!

Your comment reminded me that I do sometimes use sites to find out what source offers a particular show, especially because this can change regularly. For example, in using Netflix this month I was surprised to see ads for Resident Alien and Veronica Mars, since I did a Veronica rewatch last year via Hulu (only to have it leave the streamer before we got to S3) and I understood Resident Alien was on Peacock. There was also something else which I've now forgotten that I saw going by which I remembered being a property for some other streamer.

I do tend to do a lot of things while watching most shows, exercising, washing dishes, doing crafts, etc. But there are some shows I watch with complete attention, so I have different levels of interest. However, like you I am not on my phone or reading, etc. with the TV on.

[rodo]

If I'm being honest, the thing that's most likely to make me check out a show is a good cover image. It's far from the only reason, but it's what makes me check out the plot, cast and so on.

[yourlibrarian]

When you say "cover image" do you mean like the poster/ad image for the show or the image chosen by a streaming service to represent it?

I separate the two, because what I've noticed is that streamers rotate the image they use for a show. I suspect it's because they're using your data to show you something they think would appeal to you. They also change it depending on what season you're on, probably to avoid spoilers).

[rodo]

Or a DVD cover, if there still is one. It doesn't really matter what image, although the ones the streamers tend to show are usually the worst. The variety doesn't help :-). I do like it if every season gets its own image, though! All in all, I prefer the ones that really look like a cover or poster you'd see at the cinema. Sometimes it's more promo images or screenshots, and those just aren't the same.

[wearing_tearing]

I used to looooove printed guides! It helped me manage my anxiety lol

At the moment, my resource to find new shows is this comm! I really love the Saturday posts and usually end up with a title or two I want to check out. It helps a bunch to have people express their opinions and if they're enjoying what they're watching or not. I also get recs from my flist and other friends--someone is always yelling about something that makes me go "oooohhhh interesting!".

[yourlibrarian]

Aw, that's great to hear! I get most of my recs from here as well.

I remember buying books for the Buffy and Angel series, the "viewing companion" type that listed all sorts of things about episodes, sometimes with behind the scenes details. I don't know if those are still on the market now, but I imagine wikis and fandom sites have replaced them.