Toonami Ratings

[Light Lucario]

I still do believe DBZ will be back. Honestly, Naruto's proving that "classics" will pull in ratings. It's proving that uncut runs, classics and long shonen can pull in ratings. DBZ could do that too, however, unless Funi creates better masters, we would get the Singles footage that was ran on 4/1. And I don't think the Saiyan Saga would be played, either versions. Ocean Dub version just wouldn't fit on Adult Swim Toonami and would only be aired for pacing convience, and the uncut versions...well that's a pacing inconvience.

Unlike DBZ, Naruto hasn't been nearly as overplayed on the original Toonami as DBZ was and it hasn't been on the air in years prior to its return to Toonami. I could see uncut Kai working a bit better than uncut DBZ just because it wouldn't drag out as long, but even then, I'd still prefer for Toonami to not rely much more on the nostalgia factor of their biggest hit and keep getting new shows instead. While DBZ in any form is bound to get good ratings, plenty of other shows need more exposure than DBZ does and they do need to rely more on new content, rather than old, to keep the block going.

 

[RabidInuyashaFan]

If the uncut Buu Kai saga is available now, DeMarco should jump on it & slot it behind Naruto. I get what you're saying about relying to much on nostalgic value, but NT doesn't have Buu yet so there is opportunity for TV exclusive here for TOONAMI. They can easily slot that in when SB-T/TCats ends. While the uncut Saiyan & Cell Kai saga's do have something of exclusive value as well there is nothing fresh in the minds of viewers about the Buu saga other than recognizing the char in GT on NT. I think there is an opportunity here to routinely air the uncut Kai saga's but occasionally throw in an ep from the original to feature that musical score. Personally that's what I'd like to see.

With respect to the block in general, I agree. If they are making a LT commitment to Bleach, Naruto, & DB/Z in those first 3 slots then TOONAMI needs to go to 11p & if the first 90 min is devoted to shounen, then the next 90 min needs to lean more to titles that might not be seinen but still show a clear separation from the headliners. Assuming TOONAMI proves itself at 11p, it should then stretch for 10:30p in time for Naruto Shippuden to lead the block. That still leaves a patch to target anime's as bookends that lean more on comedy to surround a FG encore after the first 3 hrs of TOONAMI.

 

[Light Lucario]

If the uncut Buu Kai saga is available now, DeMarco should jump on it & slot it behind Naruto. I get what you're saying about relying to much on nostalgic value, but NT doesn't have Buu yet so there is opportunity for TV exclusive here for TOONAMI. They can easily slot that in when SB-T/TCats ends. While the uncut Saiyan & Cell Kai saga's do have something of exclusive value as well there is nothing fresh in the minds of viewers about the Buu saga other than recognizing the char in GT on NT. I think there is an opportunity here to routinely air the uncut Kai saga's but occasionally throw in an ep from the original to feature that musical score. Personally that's what I'd like to see.

With respect to the block in general, I agree. If they are making a LT commitment to Bleach, Naruto, & DB/Z in those first 3 slots then TOONAMI needs to go to 11p & if the first 90 min is devoted to shounen, then the next 90 min needs to lean more to titles that might not be seinen but still show a clear separation from the headliners. Assuming TOONAMI proves itself at 11p, it should then stretch for 10:30p in time for Naruto Shippuden to lead the block. That still leaves a patch to target anime's as bookends that lean more on comedy to surround a FG encore after the first 3 hrs of TOONAMI.

I don't know if they could get uncut Buu Kai since Nicktoons has the rights to Kai and would most likely get that arc whenever its available instead. I don't know if they could get the 10:30PM slot when it may take awhile for them to just get the 11PM hour slot, but I'd be okay with it. Although, the more I think about it, having that many SJ titles on the block might be overkill, despite how I'd like to see One Piece and Fairy Tail on the lineup, even with those extra slots, but at least there would still be decent timeslots for other shows to air.

 

[vegeta95748]

Wait --- they can't get DBZ cause Nicktoons has DBZK? I think I found the post, but sometimes I'm not sure if they mean Kai in any posts without listing it.

They are ​referring to Kai. Someone even asked if that was what they were referring to and they said yes.

Yeah, you're right, they were refering to DBZK, But they're using that as a reason as to why they aren't going to air DBZ. So, my thoughts are either:

a. Because it's already on TV, they aren't going to air the original DBZ, or

b. Since Kai is more or less just a recut of DBZ, DBZK is licenced with DBZ.

I'm leaning more towards b, mostly because they say "the rights aren't available to us" when someone specifically asked about DBZ.

Here are the two tumblr posts I pulled this from:

1. Asked: Hey Naruto is on Toonami so when is DBZ coming back and don't give me that bs that its too expensive when Naruto is on now.

DBZ is airing on another channel. The rights are not available to us. And that’s NOT bs, kiddo.

2. Asked: You mentioned some other channel had Dragon Ball Z. Who? I know that Kai airs on television on some other channel, but the original DBZ is owned by another channel too?

We were referring to DBZ Kai. You want DBZ? It’s on tv right now, watch it! And we hope you enjoy it, too. We did!

Links:

Toonami

Toonami

 

[Dan's Revenge]

Yeah, you're right, they were refering to DBZK, But they're using that as a reason as to why they aren't going to air DBZ. So, my thoughts are either:

b. Since Kai is more or less just a recut of DBZ, DBZK is licenced with DBZ.

Let's just say B is the case, I wonder if Nicktoons would choose to air the original Z. Considering Kai is being continued now.

2. Asked: You mentioned some other channel had Dragon Ball Z. Who? I know that Kai airs on television on some other channel, but the original DBZ is owned by another channel too?

We were referring to DBZ Kai. You want DBZ? It’s on tv right now, watch it! And we hope you enjoy it, too. We did!

I'd like to understand that, I haven't heard or seen anything on the original Z being played on TV. Would have been nice if that was answered on the tumblr.

 

[Ishtar]

Yeah, you're right, they were refering to DBZK, But they're using that as a reason as to why they aren't going to air DBZ. So, my thoughts are either:

a. Because it's already on TV, they aren't going to air the original DBZ, or

b. Since Kai is more or less just a recut of DBZ, DBZK is licenced with DBZ.

I'm leaning more towards b, mostly because they say "the rights aren't available to us" when someone specifically asked about DBZ.

Here are the two tumblr posts I pulled this from:

1. Asked: Hey Naruto is on Toonami so when is DBZ coming back and don't give me that bs that its too expensive when Naruto is on now.

DBZ is airing on another channel. The rights are not available to us. And that’s NOT bs, kiddo.

2. Asked: You mentioned some other channel had Dragon Ball Z. Who? I know that Kai airs on television on some other channel, but the original DBZ is owned by another channel too?

We were referring to DBZ Kai. You want DBZ? It’s on tv right now, watch it! And we hope you enjoy it, too. We did!

Links:

Toonami

Toonami

The only thing that makes scenario b. questionable is the fact that Toonami was able to air DBZ on April Fools Day. However, that could have simply been an exception, and DBZ Kai airing on Nicktoons/Vortexx may prevent any incarnation of DBZ from airing regularly on another channel. Toonami can't even air all or at least most of the DBZ movies, as Nicktoons has the airing rights to those too. I do agree, though, that despite how overexposed DBZ is, it would most likely get good ratings. If DBZ even got monster sized ratings, that would also mean more ad support that can go into the block and more shows, particularly the big shows that appear to be "too expensive" at the moment. However, DBZ airing would still be a gamble based on a) the painfully once a week format for a slow paced 291 episode series, b) the nostalgia for DBZ could wear thin quickly, and c)DBZ Kai already airing elsewhere could kill interest.

 

[RabidInuyashaFan]

DBZ Kai airing on Nicktoons/Vortexx may prevent any incarnation of DBZ from airing regularly on another channel.

I think you're right. I think we are trying to argue a technicality as basis for why it can air on TOONAMI & ignoring the fact that these tv deals represent relationships between the parties. That ep of DBZ airing on TOONAMI after the Kai version of it had previously airing on NT represents a form of promotion than anything else. Funimation probably ran it past NT before deciding upon it for TOONAMI. NT would not be happy if TOONAMI started airing uncut versions of DB/Z shows. While NT does target mostly 7-14 viewers, it's avg's are so low that like the Hub it's really looking at any viewers right now.

I think all of us can agree that in terms of priority, for Funi/Toei it's NT over TOONAMI right now. If NT has shown a hint of interest in Buu Kai then that will trump TOONAMI's interest. With VIZ, I think it's the opposite. TOONAMI trumps the kids networks, especially with how Disney treated Naruto Ship.

 

[TheCtes]

No it's not but the fact you believe that explains a lot. Shounen = young males & in terms of marketing it has always meant tween age boys (9-14) as the prime target & teens who still buy manga/toys/games (12-17) as the much smaller 2ndry target. Just like in the US the m9-14 demog is driven by comics/toys/games. The main cultural divide is that Japan seems to draw a line in the sand after age 17. That's mainly because fewer males go on to college there than in the states. Campus life is not as abundant there as the US. It's the campus life which has led to a strong 12-24 demog in the states that also includes comics/toys/games. You won't find sponsors in the US looking for strictly 12-17 like you will in Japan. Those sponsors target 12-24 instead. But that is the smaller 2ndry market for shounen in general. The larger market is m9-14.

Well, completely directed translated it means few years, but young males works too. It's not really 9-14 though, but like, 9 and up, but I'll give you this one seeing as it seems like I got through with the "which is more similar" thing.

A big part of the reason why Naruto draws over 1m on TOONAMI & Shippuden ended drawing less than 400k on DXD is the exposure to these networks on college campuses. CN/[as]/TOONAMI have a much bigger presence there than even Disney. DXD is just a residual presence amongst those who actually watch Disney on campus. In terms of Naruto & Bleach kids on campus today grew up watching the show in middle school & high school when it first aired on [as]. They grew up watching DBZ at an even younger age, so there is considerable nostalgic value with these three shows especially DBZ.

The same can not be said about One Piece. The nostalgia fans have over One Piece does not apply to the english dubs. There is no nostalgic value then in seeing One Piece dubs amongst the college fan base. Since the dubs have always been questionable in value to the subs anyways there isn't much reason to believe that many students on campus having an interest in OP now, are going to have a similar interest in the dubs.[/QUOTE]

I doubt Bleach has much of a nostalgic value given that it's a bit more recent and is on it's first run and hasn't been taken off at any point, at least surel not more than One Piece.

Anyways, two things:
1) Toonami is not supposed to rely completely on nostalgia. Otherwise, we might just as well aim for a line-up like the April Fools one. They're also trying to get new stuff on. Otherwise something like Fairy Tail'd make no sense.

2) There actually is a big interest in One Piece. The Toonami team has confirmed that One Piece is the third most requested show behind Dragon Ball Z and Naruto. That means it has a strong fanbase among the Toonami fans, whether it comes from nostalgia or not. Btw, IIRC, they said the 4-6th most requested shows are Sailor Moon, Yu Yu Hakusho and Zatch Bell.

 

[RagnarokSM]

No ratings yet?

And, I agree with Light Lucario, I think DBZ is well overplayed, and for those who want to watch it, watch Kai. I also agree with others who said that if Toonami is able to get the 11pm hour Fairy Tail and/or One Piece is a MUCH better decision than DBZ.

 

[SpecialColorfull]

Yeah. Nicktoons has DBZKai and they will probably give it the star treatment again once the Boo saga comes.

 

[TheCtes]

Ratings for Saturday, January 12, 2013 are in:

12:00AM - Bleach - 1.001.000
12:30AM - Naruto - 911.000
01:00AM - ThunderCats (2011) - 688.000
01:30AM - Samurai 7 - 623.000
02:00AM - Sym-Bionic Titan - 540.000
02:30AM - Eureka 7 - 538.000
03:00AM - Tenchi Muyo! GXP - 559.000
03:30AM - Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 458.000
04:00AM - Cowboy Bebop - 456.000
04:30AM - Cowboy Bebop - 440.000
05:00AM - InuYasha - 416.000
05:30AM - InuYasha - 409.000

This was a pretty bad night compared to what we've gotten lately...

 

[RockmanDash]

Ratings for Saturday, January 12, 2013 are in:

12:00AM - Bleach - 1.001.000
12:30AM - Naruto - 911.000
01:00AM - ThunderCats (2011) - 688.000
01:30AM - Samurai 7 - 623.000
02:00AM - Sym-Bionic Titan - 540.000
02:30AM - Eureka 7 - 538.000
03:00AM - Tenchi Muyo! GXP - 559.000
03:30AM - Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 458.000
04:00AM - Cowboy Bebop - 456.000
04:30AM - Cowboy Bebop - 440.000
05:00AM - InuYasha - 416.000
05:30AM - InuYasha - 409.000

This was a pretty bad night compared to what we've gotten lately...

......And suddenly Thundercats takes a massive nose dive. Was there anything special going on during that night?

 

[Light Lucario]

Yeah, aside from Bleach and Naruto, everything has much lower ratings than they've been getting for the last few weeks. Thundercats and Samurai 7 still did okay, but it's still significantly lower than they have been getting lately, especially for Thundercats. Most of the other slots did decent at best. I'm not sure if there was some special on that night, but it does seem like a sudden change from how the shows have been performing in the last few weeks.

 

[Sketch]

http://www.tvmediainsights.com/2013/01/adultswim-ratings-scorecard-week-of-january-7-2013/


That weak lead didn't do Toonami any favors.


They lost a lot of viewers that night. Clocking out around 400,000.


The only thing that keeps this from looking terrible is the Black Dynamite still lost about 600,000 from it's lead and The Boondocks only did slightly better. Showing that they will lose about 600,000 from Cleveland no matter how well or badly it does. Unfortunately Bleach usually loses 100,000 to 200,000 from it's lead. Naruto has proven it can overcome that but it didn't this most recent week.

GXP pulled ahead of Titan and E7 but just barely.

 

[Ishtar]

Isn't it possible that night was a bad night for TV ratings in general? Hopefully this is just some fluke and doesn't become a trend to follow.

 

[HG Revolution]

Vacations ending may be a part of it.

The good news is that a lot of college students are still on vacation, so there's a chance the drops haven't been so drastic in the 18-24 demographic.

 

[bleachj0j]

......And suddenly Thundercats takes a massive nose dive. Was there anything special going on during that night?

I mean just because ratings are not that great doesn't always mean something was going on. Television ratings fluctuate constantly.That always will happen

 

[RabidInuyashaFan]

The Toonami team has confirmed that One Piece is the third most requested show behind Dragon Ball Z and Naruto. the 4-6th most requested shows are Sailor Moon, Yu Yu Hakusho and Zatch Bell.

Once again you confuse the musing of fan-boys with the sentiment of the average viewers. It's absurd to thnk that the majority of TOONAMI viewers would weigh in on such requests or even follow the twitter feeds regularly.

It's the same reason why you can't understand that the avg Spongebob viewer probably has never heard of One Piece, read a page of the manga, or has seen an ep before. The avg viewer will likely see One Piece for the first time through Nick's promotion of the show & that will obviously emphasize the fact it's a pirates adventure show. So they will naturally think of the pirates featured on Spongebob when they see those promo's. If they bother to watch One Piece they will naturally draw comparisons with chars on Spongebob. It doesn't matter what you think about that or how strong those comparisons are. It's human nature to draw such comparisons.

As for the ratings, they confirm what I have believed all along. The strength or weakness of an ep means a lot less than the lead & the overall awareness of the show itself. You could easily argue that was one of the best ep of Naruto TOONAMI's aired in this run & yet it produced one of the weakest ratings. Something drew 200k Naruto viewers away & one of the purposes of this thread should be to discuss what that was.

The two most likely factors are : NFL primetime games (residual coverage on ESPN & DVR viewing) & the expansion of Zero Dark Thirty. It's the kind of film that would likely appeal to adult Naruto viewers & it was #1 at the BO Sat night. While the 200k looks bad it just reflects a doz or so Nielsen viewers tuning out. Those viewers might simply have chosen to delay their viewing that week. So while the Live+SD program ratings look bad, the C3 (commercial over 3 days) ratings might look a lot better. I think it's a fair assumption that viewers of anime are much more likely to record the shows when they can't watch than the avg viewer of [as] or any other TV block.

 

[TheCtes]

Once again you confuse the musing of fan-boys with the sentiment of the average viewers. It's absurd to thnk that the majority of TOONAMI viewers would weigh in on such requests or even follow the twitter feeds regularly.

You really think that all these people that want One Piece on isn't gonna follow it? You hae an absurd idea of One Piece fans. We the hell would they care about it if they didn't want to see it? One Piece is mighty succesful in Japan, so following it subbed would never be problem for them, and it also has a good established fanbase in the US, that follows it. They wouldn't give a damn about Toonami. And what makes you think that they're the only ones? There's plenty of people who wants to see One Piece dubbed and finally uncut too, on this site included, look through the topics. I agree that they should wait until the 11PM hour is available though. You make it sound like all One Piece has is fan-boys. It almost feels like you're an "anti fan-boy". Third most requested obviously means something.

It's the same reason why you can't understand that the avg Spongebob viewer probably has never heard of One Piece, read a page of the manga, or has seen an ep before. The avg viewer will likely see One Piece for the first time through Nick's promotion of the show & that will obviously emphasize the fact it's a pirates adventure show. So they will naturally think of the pirates featured on Spongebob when they see those promo's. If they bother to watch One Piece they will naturally draw comparisons with chars on Spongebob. It doesn't matter what you think about that or how strong those comparisons are. It's human nature to draw such comparisons.

Your first sentence here is a fantastic reason to why it shouldn't be airing there. What you're saying might work, but it makes no sense to put it there just because it works, when it works better with the other two links of the big three, which I've already explained. Besides, One Piece would be able to air uncut on Toonami. Though I know it wont be 4kids material, they'd still have to remove smoking completely and some amount of blood in some scenes.

 

[El-Hazard]

The guys who run Toonami don't appear to be worried in the slightest.
But we'll try again this week anyway.