TYT Getting Worse For Members

Email Print posted by OBERMASTER 07/17/2008 02:17:10 AM EST

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I'm glad that Rebel Headquarters is doing better financially and is reaching a larger audience, but some things are getting annoying. Hear me out and tell me if you agree with me or think I'm nitpicking.

What has been annoying me the most recently is all of the commercials during the breaks (TYT commercials and others), including during the loop.  This is particularly annoying because the videos haven't been posted for the members as quickly as they were before the commercials started.  I guess my main point is that a main benefit of being a member should be not having to listen to the commercials.  I think it would be awesome if Rebel Headquarters could find a way to play music for the members during the breaks or at least post the videos sooner. 

Please leave comments to tell me if you guys agree with me or not.  Thanks.

< john wayne was also a draft dodger, put a couple thoughts behind it | The FREE MARKET solves all problems. >

Poll

What is the most annoying?
The new commercials 29%
The videos not being posted as quickly 48%
The author is overreacting 22%

Votes: 27
Results | Other Polls
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TYT Getting Worse For Members | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 hidden)
Nation of whiners! (none / 1)

My only real problem is that I couldn't get the video on demand to work at all for a few days, but it looks like that's starting to get cleared up now.  I think it was some tech issue.  (But it might just be me since I haven't heard anybody else complaining, though I tried to watch the video on two different comps and still no dice.)

And I agree on the commercials somewhat, but it's not that big of a deal to me so long as the show is posted by the following morning (hopefully with no bugs).  Otherwise my work day is tremendously boring.

by Spencer on 07/17/2008 02:58:52 AM EST

second that, please fix this (none / 0)
second that, please fix this

by ethanmorton on 07/17/2008 10:46:25 AM EST

[ Parent ]
I still can't (none / 0)
get the videos of the regular show, having to rely on audio. The video links give me 404 file not found.

by hazmat on 07/17/2008 03:12:00 AM EST

More communication needed to members (5.00 / 2)

This seems to be an ongoing issue.  My apologies if I've missed something, but that doesn't seem to be the case. 

Judging from the URLs of this week's archived shows, there was a difficulty with a server, perhaps a server change, etc.  I know I couldn't get any of the archived shows last time I tried, so something was up.  A post or an email saying "we're working on it" when something like that happens would be nice.

Also, it's nearly 2am pacific time and yesterday's show (Wednesday's) isn't available yet. Is this a new policy or just a temporary inconvenience or just because they're still working out the kinks of the new schedule and partnerings, etc?  Again, some type of communication letting members know what's going on would be nice.

I don't expect perfection, and I don't think any of us do. But, this is a business, and members are paying customers. When we're not getting the convenience and extras we're paying for, there should be some sort of communication process in place to let us know what's going on.

I'm a reasonable person, but it's irritating when I come to the site expecting to be able to watch the show or the post-game show and it's not working properly.  I know sometimes things break when you're not looking, but if it's 'broken' for more than a day, then I think some sort of explanation is in order. That's all I'm sayin'.

by pmdtrans on 07/17/2008 05:00:56 AM EST

[ Parent ]
I find (none / 0)
that when I email them they're very responsive. Have you tried?

by hazmat on 07/17/2008 10:25:36 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Email responsiveness not the issue (none / 0)

If it's a system-wide problem, that should be communicated to all members.  That's the point I'm trying to make.

I don't think it's a good use of their time to have to respond to a hundred emails from members when a simple email update about a problem or change of procedure would handle the situation.

If I find a broken link, I'll email them to let them know. If every video on the site becomes unavailable for some reason, they should address that on their own.

I don't think that's an unreasonable expectation.  

by pmdtrans on 07/17/2008 07:32:01 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Same here. (none / 0)
Though some of the older videos are loading now, which they weren't before.

by Spencer on 07/17/2008 04:11:03 AM EST

[ Parent ]
here to (none / 1)
can't get any new show's (suck's)

by tuna on 07/17/2008 06:54:34 AM EST

[ Parent ]
posting audio and video for members (none / 0)
I have been working on the problem of the on-demand video not working, and we are almost there.
I apologize for the delays and frustration.  On the issue of timing of when the video or audio will be posted, I have to apologize again in advance, but the files will be available only much later in the day than before, since the show starts later, and also they will usually be available after a longer time after the end of the show. Feel free to email producer@theyoungturks.com with any questions.

David

by yturks on 07/17/2008 11:41:05 AM EST

Patience required (none / 0)

 

My main problem lately has been trying to get Internet Explorer to load the front page. Something keeps trying to "pop up" and hangs up the page. Works fine in Firefox, though. Using it now.

There have been a number of changes lately and any time change happens, unexpected consequences come along. I have complete faith in Dave, that he will fix things as soon as he can. Sometimes, it's finding the problem which is the hardest part; it can be like looking for a mouse in an 80 room mansion. Sometimes, fixing one problem creates three new ones. Especially easy when it comes to websites trying to accomodate a variety of operating systems and browsers.

If anyone doesn't think they aren't getting their $10 worth this month, send me an email with how much you think you were overcharged (up to $5) and I'll send you a check. That's how important I think an alternative source of information like The Young Turks is. medford_tim at yahoo dot com.

Commercials are a pain, but a necessary one. During the show and on the loop available to the public at the site: no problem. It's a part of the biz. I agree that they don't belong in the podcasts, but I haven't downloaded either video or audio in quite a while; I don't know from firsthand knowledge that they are being included.

The complaints are valid, but so is the plea for patience. 

 

by MedfordTim on 07/17/2008 12:15:10 PM EST

Patience and Communication Required (none / 0)
I agree with Tim 90% and disagree 10%. I find this program entertaining and informative and listening is one of the highlights of my day. I rely on the rebroadcast as I am almost never at my computer at night. Supporting the show is well worth the money. Since I am paying for an XM subscription am I double supporting? The disagreement comes with the lack of communication. TYT is a business and the members/donors are customers. When there is a major problem with the product, the company has an obligation to communicate with the customer. It makes good business sense. I emailed Dave today, after being patient for 3 days, and he promptly replied. However, it would have saved both of us time if there had been a message on the video download page that there was a problem which is currently being solved. That's all. No biggie. I'm not upset or concerned.  I don't even have a problem with ads in the loop since not everyone who views on the net are members. I will continue to support the show.

by dlstephens on 07/17/2008 01:04:56 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Only 10%? (none / 0)

I'll take it!

:-)

by MedfordTim on 07/17/2008 01:49:08 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Exactly! (none / 0)

This is my only issue as well.  I am patient, but I'm a lot more patient when someone lets me know what's going on. 

by pmdtrans on 07/17/2008 07:36:19 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I agree Tim (none / 0)
Patience. Any time there's a change some feathers are ruffled, but the problems are always cleared up relatively quickly.

Maybe not always as quickly as you'd like, but quickly enough.  Like the last time there was a transition (to the web from Air America), there was a thread similar to this.

And I compared TYT to that local diner where everyone knows your name and the food is great and cheap. Yeah, the service isn't amazing (sometimes you wait longer for your food than you want) but as soon as you taste it you know it was worth the wait and you're happy to support a homegrown business with nice owners.

by ihavenobias on 07/17/2008 08:38:19 PM EST

[ Parent ]
No worries (none / 0)

Eh, my laptop died so I am NOT going to sit at the desktop and watch so much video.  The upshot is, I now podcast.

Is the complaint that there are now commercials when people are listening live?  Boy, I can imagine it would cost LARGE to set up another channel for members to listen live  with only music in the breaks.

Commercials ARE annoying but you get that with any show if you listen live.  I look at commercials as being a sign that the Young Turks are now on a firmer financial footing (but still can't take all the team to the convention?).  TYT MUSTMUSTMUST go on so I'll take commercials anyday over financial insolvency.

Besides which membership means never having to say "commercials suck!".  Just download later.  And yeah, with everything changing around so much it's not surprising there are a few techno glitches in the beginning.  

I just wonder if when TYT hits the bigtime if they will still love us members as much.  :( 

by blueheartinaredstate on 07/17/2008 01:11:51 PM EST

Commercials (none / 1)
People should just participate in live chat or discussion threads lower down on the right side of the page during commercials.

Or go pee, grab a bite to eat or a something to drink, etc.

Better yet, listen to them and email or call the advertisers to let them know you heard their ad on TYT and that you'll buy and or recommend their product. 

;)

by ihavenobias on 07/17/2008 02:35:13 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Talkin' tough NOW, but... (none / 0)
...let's see how fast you pick up that phone after a Viagra spot!

by MedfordTim on 07/17/2008 03:01:41 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Viagra?? (none / 0)
Where?!

But seriously, it would help TYT and require little effort to email the advertisers/sponsors and let them know you'll buy or recommend their product(s) or service(s).

by ihavenobias on 07/17/2008 03:08:14 PM EST

[ Parent ]
agreed! (none / 0)
i totally agree that the site lately has just been getting worse.  why aren't the videos of the complete show up and running right away anymore?  at least having an explanation as to the fact that a problem is going on, but come on, as some else said, we're paying customers and when it is taking 24+ hours to get a show up, what's the point.  i actually do listen to the shows with the intent of getting the news while the topics are still topical and relavent.  2 days old, the political stories specifically are stale and not interesting anymore.  you need to get your system back to what it was so we can get the videos we are paying for in a timely fashion as we always have.

by falconer on 07/17/2008 06:46:02 PM EST

The only problem I've had with... (none / 0)

...the reruns was when I clicked "watch video" (which was broken), but "download video" worked fine.

 About the ads: I don't have any real problems with them. If this is what puts food on their families, so be it.

by rutgeraldo on 07/18/2008 02:31:37 AM EST

TYT Getting Worse For Members | 20 comments (20 topical, 0 hidden)
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