I am a independent producer of broadcast quality television programming, with over 25 years of experience, with credits on PBS nationally. Since 1995, I have produced two Garden Railway Convention Tour Videos (Greater Cincinnati 1995 & 2000)…many of you may have purchased these videos as hundreds have been sold at the GR Conventions and on eBay.
My goal since then was to produce a “how to” series for this great hobby, one that would be distributed on public broadcasting stations across America.
First of all, is anyone aware of a series of this type? Even so, would a new series be accepted and helpful to GR hobbyists across America? Once this is established, the next step would be to seek corporate sponsors (underwriters) and possibly grants.
There is a great wealth of information I am aware of in Cincinnati from over 50 layout owners that have been operating their layouts since the early 1990’s. We have have a expert landscape architect in Cincinnati that is national known. With this content potential and with all the other great layouts around the country, I know a GR “how to” series would be a success as related to content…we just have to seek sponsor backing.
Well actually it was watching Discovery Channel’s “The Garden Railway” in 2001 that got me going with this!!! There were 24 episodes (I think) each detailing some aspect of the hobby. I doubt it would appeal to the US auduence as it is distinctly “British” in humour and outlook. regards ralph
Scottyron, As much as I’d like to think a series like that would be a success, realistically, I don’t think it’s going to happen. The numbers just aren’t there. There have been single episodes of various programs devoted to garden railroading (Tracks Ahead, Victory Garden, and one show on HGTV whose name escapes me at the moment), but there’s just not enough there to pull a series. Sure, we could find enough railroads to profile, but unless you’re specifically interested in garden railroading, you’re not going to watch more than one episode. And when you look at the numbers of people who would watch more than one episode, you’re looking at a pathetically small audience. (Far less than half a point, assuming everyone tuned in.) Those numbers aren’t going to appeal to any underwriter. DIY had a series last season devoted to model railroading in general, but I read that it failed to be renewed for a second season because of low ratings. And nationally, PBS stations already run “Tracks Ahead” and “Victory Garden,” so it may be a hard sell to get them to buy a third similarly themed show. Personally, I think a garden railroad “how-to” series would best be done on DVD. The general public doesn’t want to know how to build a garden railroad. They may–at the most–want to see pretty pictures of a garden railroad, but they’re not going to tune in weekly to learn how to lay track. But if the series is on DVD, it can be sold to whoever is ready to learn how to build. That’s far less bothersome than trying to get grants or underwriting. I’m not trying to dissuade you. I think it’d be cool if you could pull it off. But coming from a commercial broadcast perspective, it’s a hard sell if you don’t have the numbers–or a sympathetic Program Director who can squeeze you in between March Madness games. (Hey, only the first 10 minutes got pre-empted!) If it were my time, though, I’d concentrate on direct sales. I think the return will be better. (If only I had the time…) Just my thoughts… BTW, I produced the 1
As much as I think I would enjoy this “How To” Series, I think it would be a great addition if there was plenty of info on the Garden as there is with the Railroad. Plants and Gardens just stump me, give me some track and a train I am fine, but those pesky plants I just do not understand.
“PBS” is the “Public Broadcasting System” here in the USA. It is non-commercial and funded by grants, contributions and donations from around the country. This allows for more “esoteric” programming than would otherwise be found in the mainstream commercial media.
As has been said I’m afraid it might not be picked up OR would be relagated to a time slot so ridicuous that no oen without DVR or TIVO would see it. I still don’t have either. Take into account the numbers that are split between Dish and cable you lose more numbers. I ahd axpanded Digital cable for two years because I complained and got if for free but when that tiem period expired I wasn’t going to pony up the extra $50 a month to keep it. We’ve got it back now because we are ona new subscribers trial period because we moved. It will probably go away again becasue all the “cool” channels like DIY are on the expanded service tiers BUT they want an arm and aleg to keep those channels. Dish doesn’t provide those channels but fill them in with channels that show other cool programming that Cable folks can’t get. As I said lets dilute the possible number of folks that could see it.
I did record or watch a few of the Model Railroading and RC shows that Chris Chianelli did on DIY but he’s an idiot. I thought so when he was an editor of one of the RC car mags and he still is on DIY. Get someone else for the model railroading segments and I might be more interested.
I think some form of this idea might fly. I’m still waiting for the convention to come back to Cinncinatti!
Actually, DIY Network’s Working on the Railroad show was renewed for a second season, but it now normally airs at 7:30 AM on Tuesday mornings.
The first five episodes of the second season of “Working on the Railroad” was a series on building a garden railroad and was relatively well done. It is geared towards beginners.
If you decide to persue your series, you might want to check into RFD-TV based in Nashville, Tennessee. They have an hour-long train show that airs two or three times each week, with the premier showing on Monday afternoons. They are supposedly always on the lookout for railway videos to fill this time slot. They are a satellite and cable TV only channel.
Thanks for the update. Glad to see that I was mis-informed. Too bad I don’t get the DIY network, I’d like to see it. (I’ll have to see if we get it at work…) I ran into the guys doing that series up at the Georgetown Loop last year–they were shooting the same day I was. They were certainly enthusiastic about the project. Later, K
Have you considered internet distribution? Stream the video and intersperse it with commercials just like regular TV. You could also optionally allow downloadable video files that someone can burn to DVD to watch on their TV.
I don’t have much interest in American Railways at all; so i think the series would be of limited interest to me but you never know? If you get one good idea out of seeing some one elses layout or reading a book on the subject you have done well.
