On Friday I met with yet another craft beer enthusiast who wants his own craft beer show on TV. Since I starting making the film, I’ve been approached by at least a dozen folks who want to do the same. What surprises me isn’t that everyone has the same idea (a TV show about travels to breweries and bars in search of great beers) or that no one has any TV experience but that there is no forethought about why a TV network would be interested.
Having spent some time in Hollywood, rest assured that unlike film, TV is a business. So if you want to create and get a show on the air, you need to prove that there’s an audience for it. Craft beer, while showing impressive growth is still tiny in numbers. Stats vary widely but I’ve seen estimates that there are between 6-8 million craft beer drinkers in America and an additional 750,000 homebrewers. Somewhat impressive numbers but how do you convince a TV network that a large percentage of them will actually tune in? You need viewers to get advertisers. And if the topic is craft beer, it’s doubtful that BudMillerCoors will want to be sponsors.
So what’s the solution? Will there be a craft beer show on TV? When? I say yes. But the when depends on you. I know of what I speak. I made an independent film, invested my own money (and took out loans to finish it) and have not been fully supported by this craft beer community. Why? Well, there’s a certain amount of “it’s not about me” and some disagreement over content. There’s also the feeling that the film should be free. (Again, I self funded it and spent 3 years to make it, why would I just give it away?) But unless this community begins to support filmmakers, beer publications (and therefore beer writers), there won’t be too many professionals following in our footsteps.
If you want to create or watch TV show about craft beer then help support existing entities so that the numbers can start adding up.
And yes, people are watching to see how Beer Wars “performs.” It is an indicator. Just like sales of beer publications. It’s not just about beer sales but it’s also about the media that covers them. The TV networks want to know that if they buy it, they will come.
So please, buy a copy of the Beer Wars DVD (and ask everyone you know to do the same). Subscribe to publications like All About Beer and/or BeerAdvocate and continue to support your local, independent brewery. Put your money where your mouth is.
Thank you!
Tags: craft beer, TV
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i think that charlie papazian should a food network series that includes beer history, culture, craft/mirco brewery tours, and the importance of pairing brews with food.
I’d watch it! That would be a great show. Informative, Interesting and all about what we love…Beer!
“Having spent some time in Hollywood, rest assured that unlike film, TV is a business.”
I’ve seen too many profitable shows cancelled to put much credence in that. There are some network execs who talk the talk when it comes to making money, sure, but if they feel their egos are on the line — either through their personal support of a show that hasn’t made money yet, or through their dislike of the producers of a show this *is* making money — they’ll choose ego over money every time.
Trouble is, *most* American business is like that. Penn Gillette was once asked what he’d do if he could change one thing about the (movie) industry. His answer? He would make executives more concerned with making money. Because “If entertainment ran grocery stores, we’d NEVER get oil cured olives or blue cheese, it would be JUST Coke.”
That’s exactly it.
Hi Anat!
I too would love to see a TV show about craft beer. (Hello Travel Channel? Food Network? Discovery? What are you guys waiting for?)
Also, just received my copy of the “Beer Wars” DVD and watched it with the spouse last night. LOVED. IT. But dang it made us thirsty!
In fact, I liked it so much I just published a blog post about the “Beer Wars” DVD, with links to your shop, that you and your blog readers can check out here (at http://jtwoo.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-documentary-about-beer-what-more-do.html).
You’re welcome. : )
J.
I think that you all need to watch some of the drinking shows on already.
Three Sheets
and the Thirsty Traveler
not craft beer only but still a great watch
Rob:
That’s exactly my point. The other shows are about many alcoholic beverages, not just craft beer. It may still be too “niche” to warrant its own show.
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