[morticaixavier]

What makes the least sense to me about this theory is that Coors had Blue Moon spots out the yin yang on Discovery during Brewmasters.  I'm not sure I buy it, Blue Moon or the conspiracy theory.

If this theory is true coors advertising in that spot would be totally consistant with it. In order to apply preasure to the network you first have to buy lots of ad space and then threaten to remove said dollars if the show is not cancelled.

I am not saying the theory is true but your argument against doesn't work. Have you ever wondered why the big pharm companies advertise so much on network TV even though we, as consumers, have no real control over what kind of meds we are prescribed? it provides them with leverage over the networks.

"Ask your doctor if conspiracy is right for you!"

[The Professor]

I don't if anybody has been following the this story, but it sounds as if Brewmaster's the Discovery Channel about the Dogfish Head Brewery was canceled due to Coor's putting pressure on the Discovery Channel. 

Cite your sources please.

Yeah...I'd be curious as well to know where such a bizarre claim originated. 
I can just picture the blurry footage of an alleged Coors rep standing on the  grassy knoll, yelling threats at the Discovery Channel.

The show was cancelled because it was one-note, and  just wasn't compelling enough to attract an audience.  Hopefully along the way it attracted some interest and curiosity from folks who were mainly BNC drinkers... but mostly the show seemed to be "preaching to the choir"
And ironically enough, it seems like  even the choir didn't  like the sermon.   

[nateo]

 
Maybe they can buy their own show called MegaBrewers!  Mediocrity at its best!

I would totally watch MegaBrewers. Big breweries are the ones that can hire the best scientists and engineers. Charlie Bamforth worked for Bass for years.

[skyler]

I too felt like Brewmasters could have been a much better show - maybe if it wasn't just DFH and they had Sam visit smaller craft breweries and European brewpubs to check out different styles and techniques... then go and try them out at DFH... But the show seemed all about dumping beer and brewing with things that didn't taste good.

[narvin]

Have you ever wondered why the big pharm companies advertise so much on network TV even though we, as consumers, have no real control over what kind of meds we are prescribed? it provides them with leverage over the networks.

"Ask your doctor if conspiracy is right for you!"

Why do they need leverage over the networks?  Are they morally opposed to shows where the main character is not on cholesterol/acid reflux/erection pills?

Drug companies are marketing to consumers as part of their push to convince people they need medication.  Many drugs are prescribed by GPs, not specialists, and when a patient requests something, they usually get it.

[punatic]

FWIW - TV is quickly going the way of newspapers.  Interwebs content is becoming ubiquitous.

I wouldn't bet on it happening too quickly though. Everyone I know who's hard at work spinning internet viewing into gold is still just trying to cover their bills. Right now everyone is dumping money into their iPad apps because that's the hot ticket for attention and funding, but so far the actual uptake right on the iOS tablet apps (or any tablet app) is pretty pathetic.

Will we get there eventually? Maybe, but there's something terrible seductive about large format push content and for all the criticism slung around that tv is a bunch of crap, we as a country have mastered the skill of making easy to consume entertainment.

I have a 42" HDTV connected to a desktop that I watch HD internet stuff on (Vimeo, Hulu, Pandora, GBTV...).  I have a slingbox on my satellite DVR/receiver that I use to watch sports on my iPad.

I don't know about spinnig apps into gold.  I do know that I can watch pretty much anything I want anywhere and anywhen I want.  The network TV paradigm is moribund.

(although I get really tired of making spelling boo boos when I post to forums from this dinky-ass iPhone keyboard!)

[morticaixavier]

Have you ever wondered why the big pharm companies advertise so much on network TV even though we, as consumers, have no real control over what kind of meds we are prescribed? it provides them with leverage over the networks.

"Ask your doctor if conspiracy is right for you!"

Why do they need leverage over the networks?  Are they morally opposed to shows where the main character is not on cholesterol/acid reflux/erection pills?

Drug companies are marketing to consumers as part of their push to convince people they need medication.  Many drugs are prescribed by GPs, not specialists, and when a patient requests something, they usually get it.

Well if one of your products was found to say, cause serious heart conditions, or psychotic breaks and that news came out would you as a drug company rather that there was a quick 30 second spot on it once? or continuous coverage over the whole period of the investigation? The news media is still the largest source of information for the majority of americans. If a company can exert influence over that media that is an important tool. I agree that if I went to my GP and said 'gee I really want longer lashes' he would probably give me that drug (whatever it's called can't remember) but if I go to him and say 'gee I think lipitor is right for me' and I don't have high blood preasure he probably won't. Purely from a marketing standpoint it is better use of dollars to market to the MDs than to the consumer. but they still do. I was mainly pointing out that if Coors wished to apply preasure to remove a show they would first have to be advertising with the network so they had leverage.

[The Professor]

 
Maybe they can buy their own show called MegaBrewers!  Mediocrity at its best!

I would totally watch MegaBrewers. Big breweries are the ones that can hire the best scientists and engineers. Charlie Bamforth worked for Bass for years.

I agree.  The bigs are capable of making phenomenal beers (and in fact they are starting to release some very good ones).
But their main focus is still, of course,  on making the beer that most beer drinkers actually want to drink. 

And the same folks who complained for years that there was no  "good beer"  coming out of the big breweries are now complaining that by introducing specialty beers, the bigs are horning in on the domain of the crafties.
It's really kind of hilarious when you think about it. 
It is "Zymo-Theatre of the Absurd" at it's very best.   

Although the industry has advanced in the years since Michael Jackson's "BEER HUNTER" was produced, I'd like to see them air that series again.  It was a well made, informative, and dignified effort to elevate beer and show that it's more than just the fizzy yellow stuff that most folks see it as.
"BEER HUNTER" put it across without being snobby or resorting to gimmickry.   Some of the players (and rules) have probably changed in the intervening years, but the message put forth in the series still holds up quite well, I think.

[brewmasternpb]

FWIW Brewmasters is still on on Discovery International, I watch it in Europe regularly. Second, Big Beer is aware of the potential of craft beer, and is riding it's coat tails just nicely. You will be amazed to learn how much craft beer is owned by big beer. Goose Island and Leffe are just a few that come to mind.

I did not know that about Goose Island... Frickin' budweiser...

[roguenationpatriot]

FWIW Brewmasters is still on on Discovery International, I watch it in Europe regularly. Second, Big Beer is aware of the potential of craft beer, and is riding it's coat tails just nicely. You will be amazed to learn how much craft beer is owned by big beer. Goose Island and Leffe are just a few that come to mind.

I did not know that about Goose Island... Frickin' budweiser...

 
It was sad when Stella Atrois got bought, and I feel like they might have changed the recipe quite bit when it got bought. 

[Kit B]

It was sad when Stella Atrois got bought, and I feel like they might have changed the recipe quite bit when it got bought. 

Wouldn't surprise me, a bit.
Happens all the time.

[njdevilrp]

For what it's worth, I asked Sam himself at GABF about the show.  His near-exact words were "we had some conflicts with our sponsors..".  I reckon that's about as close to the truth as we're going to get regarding the show's fate, right?

[denny]

For what it's worth, I asked Sam himself at GABF about the show.  His near-exact words were "we had some conflicts with our sponsors..".  I reckon that's about as close to the truth as we're going to get regarding the show's fate, right?

Maybe...maybe he just didn't want to admit that people didn't care.

[tschmidlin]

I liked that show.

[bluesman]

I liked that show.

Me too.