COLLIDER JUST COLLIDED..With the Laws of Economics /Supply and Demand / Evolution /Karma..
Well, nobody saw THAT coming, right? Collider, a channel that specialised in specialism in movie chat..has radically redefined and streamlined. It’s sad, because many a lovely commentator now loses a platform /work and will have to chase the Patreon pound just like every other Tom, Dick and Harriet. It’s something to regret: because it was nice to just have the shows ‘there’, to dip into, like a surrogate community. It’s the end of an era. But also, a sign of the times. Allow me to explain..
- YouTube:
It’s now a saturated sea of commentators! Even a big brand like Collider was bound to get lost in the noise. The more that the platform threatens to clamp down on subscription rules etc, the greater the fightback among tens, even hundreds of micro channels. That individual determination is palpable in a proliferation of individual segment shows from dedicated specialist content creators.
It simply was not enough to have a weekly Star Wars panel show, when one can tune into a six hour long and possibly, even rather funny (both intentionally and otherwise?) commentary on said franchise from a few random fans. And there are multiple sources for film news, chat and comment so it just became increasingly difficult to compete, distinguish the brand and justify the deployment of personnel whose views, though earned in many cases through industrial know how and field experience, simply did not stand out enough within a sea of relentless noise. Sorry!
- We Create Our Own Demons:
Remember that saying, in Iron Man 3? It applies here. Big time. John Campea has been diplomatic enough and never bad mouthed Collider. But face facts, guys. Whatever your view on him (pompous, officious, decent, brilliant, innovative, hilarious, pastoral, commercial..a paradox of possibilities)..he BUILT the Collider BRAND! So when HE left? You LOST your architect and with it, a chunk of good will.
He built his own channel against the odds and it is inevitable that, despite his initially underdog status, his brand would outlive and ultimately, outstrip you. Had you made him an offer MUCH earlier? Maybe promoted him further, made his working conditions more flexible?? Who knows? We might not be facing this radical overhaul today. Campea grew his brand from the ground up, within two years. Just imagine what he could have done with Collider? But there you have it..and the good news is that he is already welcoming those commentators who might otherwise be without a wider platform. A fascinating story. And a lesson in the American dream; dark side and the light.
- The Spoof Factor:
Everything has its time and nobody can see, precisely, the day that a brand dies. That said, even the most powerful and revered of kingdoms tend to crack in the midst of great satire. It’s why comedic send ups are so crucial and also why, contrary to the ‘oh ignore them’ ethic..no, one MUST watch one’s critics, imitators and fun pokers. Collider was sent up, mercilessly by Red Letter Media.
As with everything from Plinkett and co, that trend caught on and on and on..to the extent that reverent fan panels came to be seen as ‘shills’ (or is it ‘schills’? I dunno..don’t care). It became difficult, almost impossible, to watch the Collider product without being reminded of the counterpart comedy. Once again: SORRY..But that’s life! One is put in mind of that time Not the Nine O’Clock News parodied The Two Ronnies: summarising, deconstructing and thereby signalling the end of an institution.
The consolation is that you only elicit such attention if power is being wielded and Collider certainly enjoyed a grip on a market for at least five years. But all good and indeed bad things, come to an end. Equally? Anything and everything can be remembered and rebooted and the channel will live on in some new iteration which might well grow and consolidate / regain its stronghold. Time will tell, it always does!
We wish everyone at COLLIDER the very best in their relaunch and new endeavours; whether staying put or moving on. John Rocha, especially: thank you for your service. Peri Nemeroff: adorable..welcome for tea in England, anytime! Foxy Roxy: we LOVE you! I could g o on and on..that’s what a great team defined the channel.
