Why is there no computer technology programmes on tv these days?

[BowdonUK]

I was looking around youtube and stumbled on some playlists of technology shows from the 90s. These mainly were game focused, or had a mix. Some were purely technical programme that helped solve computer problems, similar to the problem pages in the magazines.

We've had a few novelty shows in the past decade. But not the amount we used to get.

I don't understand why when there is a guaranteed audience out there to watch it we get nothing.

 

[arknor]

Youtube and twitch killed it.

I don't think they even have weekend morning tv anymore?

 

[Gray2233]

How many tech savvy or interested people bother with old fashioned TV? Overly technical stuff is too much effort for low returns. There's a lot of room for things to go wrong, and the moment they do the myriad of tech channels on places like YouTube will be all over it.

Online services and the likes of YouTube took over.

 

[Rroff]

It isn't even that rare for people to not technically have a TV any more interestingly - happened to be talking about it at work tonight and about 50% watch most content on their phones or laptop and rarely watch traditional TV with many of them not actually owning a large TV or TV at all.

 

[Bluecube]

Educational TV is considered too expensive these days. That’s why we have loads of cheap reality shows instead

 

[Begbie]

TV has moved from traditional TV to stuff like YouTube for this, older generations just haven't realized it yet.

 

[Stu999]

 

[mid_gen]

I was looking around youtube and stumbled on some playlists of technology shows from the 90s. These mainly were game focused, or had a mix. Some were purely technical programme that helped solve computer problems, similar to the problem pages in the magazines.

We've had a few novelty shows in the past decade. But not the amount we used to get.

I don't understand why when there is a guaranteed audience out there to watch it we get nothing.

Microcomputer tech was an interesting, transformative frontier technology in the 80s and 90s. Now it's a commodity that is a mundane part of everyday life, it's no longer interesting for the vast majority of people.

I find it incredibly hard to be interested in hardware/software these days, they're just tools. And I'm literally a professional nerd.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

I used to watch this all the time bit it ended

BBC News - Click - Episode guide

All episodes of Click

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Pawnless Endgame]

Kinda related: Robot Wars. I miss that show. It came back briefly after its 90s run but promptly got shelved because it was too niche. The general population preferred people fighting each other (Big Brother!) than robots fighting each other.

 

[BowdonUK]

There used to be The Computer Channel aka .tv on Sky for a while.

.tv (TV channel) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I still think a computer related channel with a mixture of software, hardware, and industry news could get more viewers today than they used to back in the day.

I come from the 80s era of computer gaming were it was considered an unsociable, nerdy hobby. So when we got representation on tv in the 90s it was amazing. But to now be nothing is odd (apart from Click as posted above).

We know OCuk would be on there giving sponsorship and advice. Imagine 8Pack with a weekly show.

It would be a great way to promote the British gaming/computer industry.

Here is one of the programmes from the .tv channel that I used to watch - Chips with everything.

Chips with Everything ep#184

Another episode of Chips with Everything, the problem page show for computer users recorded around the year 2000.

youtu.be

 

[sigma]

TV has moved from traditional TV to stuff like YouTube for this, older generations just haven't realized it yet.

Not just TV shows but there's way more techinical stuff now, as you can have a YT video of any length.

I'd be very surprised if @BowdonUK can't find what he needs online.

 

[sigma]

Random videos of topics raised in OP:

How to fault-find a PCB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkAp5x3Z_gc

How to fix blue screen of death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdXRwH8rXvI

New games released in June: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uIn5e0MMww

How to build a PC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1fxZ-VWs2U



It's actually never been better, more in-depth stuff, information released daily, honest (in some cases) reviews...

I have to wonder why you'd want it on TV given the modern way of consuming info.

 

[BowdonUK]

Random videos of topics raised in OP:

How to fault-find a PCB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkAp5x3Z_gc

How to fix blue screen of death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdXRwH8rXvI

New games released in June: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uIn5e0MMww

How to build a PC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1fxZ-VWs2U



It's actually never been better, more in-depth stuff, information released daily, honest (in some cases) reviews...

I have to wonder why you'd want it on TV given the modern way of consuming info.

Because I come from a time when gaming/tech was a closed space. So the more exposure to the normies the better.

I can find things ok. But all those videos you've posted most people won't know about.

We have a situation were people can operate a computer to varying degrees. But haven't a clue of what to do if something goes wrong.

 

[TheVoice]

I used to watch this all the time bit it ended

BBC News - Click - Episode guide

All episodes of Click

www.bbc.co.uk

It's still going, not sure if it's become iPlayer only:

Click - Soaring Ambition

Spencer Kelly meets the team behind a stratospheric solar-powered plane.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[The_Arbiter]

Kinda related: Robot Wars. I miss that show.

I just finished watching series 2. There's a playlist with it all on YT. But expect low resolution and some interlacing issues. I loved watching it again.

BBC have it locked up on iplayer, unable to view...