This could be pretty entertaining and a great avenue for people to be media stars (or subject to sic roasts)
First, while I still have this idea fresh on the brain, this isn't really an idea for pirated broadcast TV. I think that should be a separate idea and I really don't want to discuss it in the same thread because I feel it derails the idea. This is an idea for NLM to have more of a mix-based office where the game's Alex Joneses and such can walk into the public access channel, do their bit, and fuck off. They would get paid NOTHING for it. Meanwhile, you can justify this by the fact that these types of channels ad costs are probably lower then the network programming, meaning Kro's, or a mom and pop business, in theory can buy adspace in between shit broadcasting. NLM is squeezing the mix for every chyen it can, right?
Second, It gives someone who might be new, not able for whatever reason to make the needed connections, or simply want to stay in the fringe entertainment scene to really shine or bomb. This gives the big network, being NLM, the ability to also talent scout, or a few other things I won't get into but would be obvious to security minded people.
That's really about all there is too it. It would be as simple as adding a channel to the network, re-describing an un-used building, and sticking a camera in there. Hell, it doesn't even have to record. Who want's to re-watch some guy wearing pants on his head go on about the end being near anyways? Pirating is cool if you wanna be all captain hackerman, but again, separate concept.
What rigger has the metal to handle these?
Not a bad idea at all.
While in an ideal world it would be nice to have the main avenue full-staff, that will probably never happen. This is also only marginally aimed at progressing to that venue and I don't really think it effects it directly.
Not to derail the conversation, but I also agree that pirate broadcasts should be a thing.
There are a lot of people who would love to be in a topside media position (there are more than just stars) but very few that make it happen. And to be honest, I am personally not really worried about filling these roles unless we feel we have found someone that fits well.
Maybe have the room make a skill/stat check based on Art and Charisma every minute and display a viewership metric on a sign. Maybe have time of day impact these metrics. Maybe have prices adjust based on how many people are logged in and time of day.
As far as people on these public access channels outdoing topside media stars goes, I'm not sure it's a problem.
First up, you have conflict. If a public access performer get's too big NLM will either want to hire them or make continuing hard. This could be some interesting RP between topside and mix. I even made a list of cool things topside could do to mess with a popular public access star that refused to move to NLM. But I removed it because it's so much more fun to come up with these things on your own!
Also, remember the class divide. If any corpie was caught watching or liking a public access show, they should be ostracized, mocked and laughed at. Maybe even make it so the public access channel is not viewable topside.
And in the end, yes, there could be some mano or mona who is loved in the mix. An underground favorite. And I don't think that's a bad thing and might even be more fitting than mixers being fans of arrogant, out of touch corporate stars.
My main concern would be that characters/players being very unthemely or even abusive and spreading this across the entire city. I know that this can be dealt with ICly but by then something we don't really want in the game has already been spread via a potentially large platform.
Valid concern, but that has just as much potential to happen on SIC or the grid or home printed mediai too. You just gotta deal with that stuff as it comes. I have faith that it’s a minority and not the majority.
Open submission series. Meaning, NLM would take submissions for certain series aired.
For example: an "anthology" series comprised of people who submitted scripts, that were processed and cleaned up by editors to be presented on air. People get paid for their work, but aren't offered positions with NLM yet until they prove they can really hang in there and write hits again and again. The stories are kept short so varies submissions can be shown. One editor or producer will curate the series to keep it running.
Same for music, if someone wants a proving ground that way. Have a segmented show where short songs are aired by emerging musicians and hosted by a VJ or something. This can give way to one-hit wonders and those who identify rivals in the emerging music biz. Struggling for NLM to notice you and your rival talent has more videos well received than you do? Get a solo on their ass. Now it's even more themely!
What do y'all think of this idea?
On the musician side, I'm not really seeing the advantage of this over a budding musician going the KMB route. Plus, should someone in the right position want to feature someone in a video or let them release a video of their own, they just need to convince the right people ICly. It is possible.
Or am I misunderstanding your suggestions?
For clarity, I would ask that new ideas or drastic variations be brought up in another thread. Please be sure to search for existing threads though as I am pretty sure that pirate broadcasts has one or two already. No need to try and discus three or four different ideas in one thread.
Print and the grid and live shows are a good domain for mixers looking for an audience.
And as has been said, pirate TV does exist and if that interests you, pursue it ICly.
