Do you think there should be a TV network dedicated to architecture?

[Maisonneuve]

I was just wondering why there aren't any architecture TV networks?

There seems to be a lot of people interested in the topic. Lots of sites devoted to architecture and forums, but no TV networks. There are TV networks that specialize in law, some in food, lots in sports/fitness, some in health, but none really in architecture.

I know there are sites online that have architecture videos, and some sites that just specialize in videos. What I mean is an actual TV network similar to CNN, CNBC, ESPN, TLC,etc...

Anyone know why?

I'd love to see one. What are peoples thoughts?

[TheNiche]

I was just wondering why there aren't any architecture TV networks?

There seems to be a lot of people interested in the topic. Lots of sites devoted to architecture and forums, but no TV networks. There are TV networks that specialize in law, some in food, lots in sports/fitness, some in health, but none really in architecture.

I know there are sites online that have architecture videos, and some sites that just specialize in videos. What I mean is an actual TV network similar to CNN, CNBC, ESPN, TLC,etc...

Anyone know why?

I'd love to see one. What are peoples thoughts?

I reject the idea on the basis that an attempt to bring high arts to the masses usually results in a bastardization of the art.

Example: Fox News and MSNBC bastardized journalism; meanwhile, the CEO of CNN gets canned because he preferred not to editorialize. Example: The Learning Channel, Discovery Channel, and History Channel have perfected the craft of edutainment and scored considerable ratings...by airing American Chopper, Ghosthunter, MonsterQuest, UFO Hunters, and Pawn Stars. They definitely know how to hit that middle school demographic! Example: HGTV. Nuff' said.

[UrbaNerd]

I reject the idea on the basis that an attempt to bring high arts to the masses usually results in a bastardization of the art.

Example: Fox News and MSNBC bastardized journalism; meanwhile, the CEO of CNN gets canned because he preferred not to editorialize. Example: The Learning Channel, Discovery Channel, and History Channel have perfected the craft of edutainment and scored considerable ratings...by airing American Chopper, Ghosthunter, MonsterQuest, UFO Hunters, and Pawn Stars. They definitely know how to hit that middle school demographic! Example: HGTV. Nuff' said.

And that is why I miss PBS from the 90's. They had some decent edutainment in the form of Bill Nye, The Magic School Bus (which is the stuff I was raised on!), but they also would air those top notch nature and science shows, such as Nature, Nat Geo, Scientific American, etc. You cannot forget anything narrated by Sir David Attenborough, of course.

As far as I know, they didn't have too many programs similar to American Chopper; I don't remember whatever I didn't watch on their schedule, so perhaps someone could fill me in on that.

Discovery sometimes has some shows on construction and architecture, but those are more akin to "Coffee Table Architecture Books", in terms of content; they're only satisfying to casual viewers, and would not be fulfilling for any disciples to the art.

I've just grown weary of television in general, which is why I tossed my television to the curb a few years ago. There are far more fulfilling venues for entertainment and edutainment these days.

Edited September 27, 2010 by UrbaNerd

[Subdude]

I was just wondering why there aren't any architecture TV networks?

There seems to be a lot of people interested in the topic. Lots of sites devoted to architecture and forums, but no TV networks. There are TV networks that specialize in law, some in food, lots in sports/fitness, some in health, but none really in architecture.

I know there are sites online that have architecture videos, and some sites that just specialize in videos. What I mean is an actual TV network similar to CNN, CNBC, ESPN, TLC,etc...

Anyone know why?

I'd love to see one. What are peoples thoughts?

I don't think that television is necessarily the best way to inform about architecture. There are plenty of books and websites out there that work much better for the content. Also I suspect the audience for architecture is probably too small to justify an architecture network.

That said, it's fun to imagine the shows:

America's Worst Buildings!

Strictly Come Building!

Architecture Cops Houston!

[ricco67]

I think what would be fascinating is the backstory on most of the major buildings, and if a chief architect or engineer of the building can be interviewed to see the logic behind the layouts and designs, that would be awesome. Unfortunately, many of the people involved are already dead.

Architecture to me, is another form of expression of music or art. There is logic to notes and mixing of paint, the same holds true in the facade or even the placement or elevators.

[editor]

Look at how architecture and design magazines open and close every month. It's a difficult niche to work as a mass medium.

Start with a TV show, and see if you can do that right. An entire network is overkill.

[LegacyTree]

There are architecture programs/documentaries/travelogues on the Ovations channel.

[ricco67]

I don't know if an entire network can work, but I tell you what, it would certainly have to be heavy in the construction porn.

An example of this is after 9/11, i was privy to all of the cleanup and engineering issues that occurred during and after the cleanup and found it fascinating as hell.

[bachanon]

I don't know if an entire network can work, but I tell you what, it would certainly have to be heavy in the construction porn.

An example of this is after 9/11, i was privy to all of the cleanup and engineering issues that occurred during and after the cleanup and found it fascinating as hell.

ricco just created the first concept for a show..........."CONSTRUCTION PORN".

i'd certainly watch "ETHEREAL ENGINEERING"..............the engineering behind the designs of architects like calatrava, piano, gaudi and gehry (maybe not gaudi).

[dbigtex56]

I don't know if an entire network can work, but I tell you what, it would certainly have to be heavy in the construction porn.

An example of this is after 9/11, i was privy to all of the cleanup and engineering issues that occurred during and after the cleanup and found it fascinating as hell.

ricco just created the first concept for a show..........."CONSTRUCTION PORN".

i'd certainly watch "ETHEREAL ENGINEERING"..............the engineering behind the designs of architects like calatrava, piano, gaudi and gehry (maybe not gaudi).

Is this a reference to NY's Republican candidate for governor, Carl Paladino?

His explanation for forwarding graphic emails was that this was the way the construction industry works.link

[Dan the Man]

While the concept of a TV network devoted to architecture is very intriguing, I doubt that it would do very well. The potential audience is probably a lot smaller than we think it is.

In addition, how would the network support itself financially? Selling product placement advertising to building material vendors? That would result in shows like the crap on HGTV...

[Original Timmy Chan's]

I think what would be fascinating is the backstory on most of the major buildings, and if a chief architect or engineer of the building can be interviewed to see the logic behind the layouts and designs, that would be awesome. Unfortunately, many of the people involved are already dead.

Architecture to me, is another form of expression of music or art. There is logic to notes and mixing of paint, the same holds true in the facade or even the placement or elevators.

I don't know...how many times do you want to hear, "yeah that was a compromise we made based on cost."

[Yelmurc]

I was just wondering why there aren't any architecture TV networks?

There seems to be a lot of people interested in the topic. Lots of sites devoted to architecture and forums, but no TV networks. There are TV networks that specialize in law, some in food, lots in sports/fitness, some in health, but none really in architecture.

I know there are sites online that have architecture videos, and some sites that just specialize in videos. What I mean is an actual TV network similar to CNN, CNBC, ESPN, TLC,etc...

Anyone know why?

I'd love to see one. What are peoples thoughts?

The Market is not big enough for a TV Network. Look what happened to TechTV they tried to build a network for computer geeks and it eventually failed. What came out of that was podcasting networks (revision3 and twit.tv) that are profitable. They have a worldwide audience, and have programing for a very small niche. So if anyone wants to build a network about architecture I'd suggest that they start as a podcast, they can easily get on peoples TV's though Roku boxes, Apple TV's, etc..