bergoozter - Tumblr blog

[bergoozter]

Hi bb, ty for the prompt to write my thoughts!

So I can't get on tumblr at work anymore unless I go outside to get good signal on my phone so I have only been privy to what's going on here today from friends on discord. So maybe I'm missing some nuance or the what my mutuals think and I apologize in advance for that but I'm going to speak plainly.

This is the only way Watcher is going to survive.

The view counts have been steady through Mystery Files season 2 but they aren't, like, astronomical. A video with a million views nets a channel between $10,000 - $30,000. Guys. That's nothing for Watcher. They have to pay each of their 25+ employees a salary with insurance and benefits and for everything else their channel requires. Steven said in the video today that a season of Ghost Files costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. I don't think everyone is hearing that part and understanding how much money that is, especially compared to many other YouTubers they watch. I'm not an expert on other YouTubers but I look at the Sims people I watch. They are successful with views in the hundred k range because they are a company of one. Themselves and maybe paying a freelancer to help edit their videos. For one person, the stakes are lower and the potential for profit is higher! Especially for gamers that are filming in their homes. YouTubers like this, making niche content on the cheap, are who is going to make it in YouTube now.

Watcher is none of those things. They have, from day one, wanted to make high quality unscripted content. All of their shows are shows. They aren't just "Ryan and Shane do [thing]" or "Steven eats [whatever]". They are shows, like ones you see on cable TV or any streamer. And shows are not cheap. Unscripted is cheaper, sure, than scripted. But that doesn't mean cheap. Especially not with the sheer production value we've seen on all their shows, in particular Ghost Files (hundreds of thousands of dollars). That is how much something like Ghost Adventures costs, which is on Travel Channel, an actual TV network that puts up all those costs.

So. That's why Watcher has to pivot to survive.

I think it's a great idea, personally. And yes, I am in a position where I can financially afford it no problem, which I know is a privilege! I am very lucky in that regard. And I understand that many people are upset they won't see the boys as easily on YouTube anymore. That is valid! But they have openly said they are totally fine with password sharing and I think that's a great way to cut down on costs for some folks. Also right now there's a great deal on the yearly sub for early subscribers. $40 for a year is cheaper than any streaming service and it doesn't go to anyone other than Watcher.

I understand that people feel hurt and blindsided, but I think Watcher is also feeling this too. They have been so excited about this and being able to make whatever they want without having to worry about sponsors and now they're mostly seeing anger directed their way. Especially at Steven. Steven is not rich. You know who's rich? David Zaslav, a man who is single-handedly ruining Warner Brothers and making himself a billionaire while he's at it. THAT is the kind of person we should be directing our anger at streaming prices and quality of the media landscape at. Not one small business that is just trying to survive so they can continue paying their employees.

And one more thing. I've seen folks saying they'd rather watch more ads than pay and while I get that, that's not going to help Watcher make what they want. YouTube famously demonetizes videos with swears which is why I can't watch a video with DRAG QUEENS without every other line being bleeped and Watcher has been so good about not bleeping their content because they know we would hate it. And YouTube does this because of advertisers. Advertisers only want to appeal to the most broad of audiences so that means not supporting anything slightly left of center. Having to deal with ads sucks from the creator perspective and does not help them in the long run.

Anyway, this is all a bit rambling, but these are my thoughts on WatcherTV. I'm extremely excited to subscribe and make them make more Weird Wonderful World. I hope to see you all there.

[bergoozter]

nvm they pulled through 😮‍💨

trying to answer an ask that needs Thoughts and the brewers are just fucking up over here ahhh

[bergoozter]

I don't think it's wrong for people to be upset about this. I don't want their company to fail, I wish the best for them, but this move really does feel like a kick in the face to a lot of people.

$6 for a video a week, tops, is wild to me. I understand that they need more money to keep up production but this feels like the worst way to do that. I keep trying to find a way of looking at this that's positive but it's so difficult. Especially since they're also taking down their past content (which Watcher told Variety was the plan, and Ryan later went back on?). The whole thing just feels convoluted and tone deaf.

Again, I don't hate them or hope for their downfall or anything awful like that, but the fans are the ones who have supported them this whole time, I think we're allowed to feel upset by such a massive change. (Especially with it being broadcasted as something we'd all be ecstatic to hear.)

Sorry to just dump this all here, I know you're likely still processing the news too, I guess I just wanted to add in my two cents? Idk, not to pull out the mom line, but I rlly do feel like I'm not angry, just disappointed 😭.

i think i feel similarly. i am still processing and haven’t fully decided how i feel yet. both sides are right but the people being mean and cruel are the wrong ones which i really do hate to see some have stooped so low.

artists should be paid but loyal audiences shouldn’t be blindsided. i feel like a lot of decisions were made without us which sounds so selfish to say but the sentiment is there.

what’s frustrating is 6$ doesn’t seem like a big ask but it is for a lot of people. apart from those who would pay it but can’t, casual viewers wouldn’t even if they could. like i have a coworker that just enjoys one of their shows and i can’t see them paying to watch it (i’ll share my login but that’s not the point i’m making). it just alienates a lot of their viewers. :/

i believe it is misinformation that they’re taking down all their past content but i could be wrong if someone wants to correct or clarify for me!

i still have a lot of questions that i’m hoping get answered or worked out before this launches in full. i’ve been floating between disappointed/nervous and wanting to be excited all day, i’m just ready for today to be over.

[bergoozter]

trying to answer an ask that needs Thoughts and the brewers are just fucking up over here ahhh

[bergoozter]

"what do you do in spare time" i yearn and i dream about a life where im loved and nothings ever wrong and it takes up all of my evenings and weekends doing that

[bergoozter]

this fandom is low-key one of the most racist ones i have ever been in and i have been in here one and off since 2020!! like no ur soft uwu white boy bean was not kidnapped by gun-point by theeee evil ceo to make this decision and no he is not ur leftist anti-capitalist paragon who just so happens to buy hundreds of dollars worth of products at whole foods and no! ur not slick calling men of color robotic and greedy and soulless and worthless and claiming that they're responsible for everything you don't like about the company while obviously your white boy fave secretly agrees with you because you can tell by the twitch of his eyes! and don't get me started on people calling ryan dumb or gullible or that steven must have manipulated him into it or that shane is the only one smart enough to idk... see through the evil overlord??? like do y'all hear yourselves? are you not a little ashamed? do you have no self reflection or do you think that because you slobber over someone who says "eat the rich" in one occasional video that it makes you immune from being racist. tale as old as watcher's founding too!

Just gonna post this because it's true in a lot of ways. The narrative surrounding Steven has always gotten right out of hand and a racist under-developed brain can't even put together how detrimental it would have been to the company and Shane, of all people, if Steven hadn't been there for them.

All they care about is monopolising spaces to talk over people of colour for a retweet or two.

I am at zero tolerance for that this time round guys.

[bergoozter]

all of us who thought watcher’s “big announcement” was the return of the hotdaga rn

[bergoozter]

what we’re not gonna do is point fingers at shane, ryan, or steven. they make decisions together for the betterment of the company they built with each other.

[bergoozter]

The wait was worth it!

Travel Season, premiering May 31st on watchertv.com

[bergoozter]

i get people not being happy about the watcher move. i get people mourning that they can't afford to follow the guys rn. but actually wishing they would fail? hoping watcher employees are stressed and anxious? i don't think you actually like them, i think you just like having your whims catered to and you just see the guys as your funny little puppet friends.

i get that parasocial relationships are a...complex topic, particularly when a specific kind of content pretty much requires fostering that vibe. even when you know it's a real phenomenon, it's really easy to fall into the trap of, "these people are really cool/funny! i wish we were friends" (and tbf, i think a "friend crush" is still a *little* different bc i think most parasocial relationships make you think, "we ARE friends...or would be if we met.")

BUT. the flip side is forgetting that these guys are people, too. people who gotta make ends meet, particularly if they want to keep providing great content. people with families, bills, expenses, and yes even little treats. like, shit costs money and we can't accuse someone of greed or hope they fail and then pat ourselves on the back for being anti-capitalist or something. this move is a risk but also surely not an impulsive one, and the guys feel this is the right move both financially and creatively then you should hope they succeed!

and, ftr—i already signed up, and i've already sent out my login info to friends who aren't in a place rn to pay. support the guys if you can, but i think the bare minimum is not hoping they crash and burn.

[bergoozter]

I get being upset about content being put behind a paywall, it definitely sucks especially when a lot of people simply can't afford it. That being said I also understand why they are doing it, YouTube puts a limit on them and what they can post. They also need to be able to make money as a company so they can continue to make things. With that though I do really hope they find a way to still share content that people don't have to pay for

[bergoozter]

if watcher entertainment has no fans, im dead

[bergoozter]

Steal from the rich and eat the rich does not mean that no one is allowed to charge money for making things anymore. So many people out here have such bad conceptions of what wealth looks like. Having a job in and running a business are not the same as a multiple property-ownjng Disney exec looking at a slight dip in a bar graph where it says "password sharing" and screaming with rage.

[bergoozter]

going about my day on april 19, 2024:

[bergoozter]

i'm like. how can i make this album about watcher

ghost files stans STAND UP

[bergoozter]

Change is scary but I'm sure Ryan, Steven, Shane and everyone at Watcher has thought this through, ran the numbers and determined that this was the way forward to keep growing.

The content we get has so much hard work behind it, and the people doing it need to be compensated accordingly.

I understand people not being able to afford the new service, but the co-founders themselves are encouraging you to share accounts! Ultimately, this is a move that will allow Watcher to keep making the content they want, the way they want to do it, no more ads from shady sponsors, just their full creative output.

[bergoozter]

PLEASE