Jumptheshark.com possibly Jumps the Shark?
06-21-06, 11:29 PM
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Jumptheshark.com possibly Jumps the Shark?
John Hein, the owner of the site, who also works on the Howard Stern show announced today that he sold the site to TVGuide. He couldn't say how much he sold it for, but it's over a million dollars....
Hopefully it won't turn into a similar debacle that TV.com did w/ that one site. Hein apparently will stay on, and help w/ the site and write new stuff for TV guide.
Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. has announced that it has acquired the popular TV and entertainment website jumptheshark.com and related assets from Jump the Shark Inc. Gemstar-TV Guide plans to develop and promote the website, created by Jon Hein, across its multiple media platforms. The site is a successful Internet destination where fans can debate whether popular television series have passed their prime. The term is a reference to the now-infamous Happy Days episode in which Fonzie literally jumped over a shark during a water-skiing scene. Additionally, Hein's unique voice will be integrated with TVGuide.com, TV Guide magazine and the TV Guide Channel. Mr. Hein said, "I'm thrilled to have Jump the Shark become a part of Gemstar-TV Guide. Since launching jumptheshark.com, we have covered over 3,000 shows with hundreds of thousands of pages of related content and trivia questions. I'm certain that regular users of Gemstar-TV Guide's media properties will find value and enjoyment in this content, as well as in the editorial content I will continue to create directly for them."
06-22-06, 06:08 AM
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I hope they don't give give it the complete TV.com rewrite, but the site could use some updating. The comments section for each show is just one long thread of posts with little formating. For more popular shows it's difficult and daunting task to read through them.
06-22-06, 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Timber
the site was always a bit of a mess.
Jumptheshark.com makes aintitcoolnews.com look visually appealing.
06-22-06, 09:28 AM
#5
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Well, I think John explained that he never had anyone help him w/ the site. He was the one and only person that ever did work. So, I'd imagine TV Guide may spruce it up a tad.
02-18-09, 11:46 AM
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Re: Jumptheshark.com possibly Jumps the Shark?
It's pretty clear TV Guide was just interested in the name. The entire archive is gone and the any comments on shows pre-dating the purchase is completely removed from the web and details shows that alway remained fresh (like WKRP or The Bob Newhart Show) is also gone. It only has some snippets of info about current shows such as Everybody Hates Chris (puberty) and Lost. Yet another website lost appeal as new management took over.
02-18-09, 02:36 PM
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Re: Jumptheshark.com possibly Jumps the Shark?
I just took a look and, wow, they completely killed a very cool site. I have no idea why they would spend that kind of money then just abandon the concept of the site.
