Upcoming changes to the WoW Insider Show
by Michael Sacco 
Mar 23rd 2010 at 4:20PM
So, to that end, we're doing a few things differently.
- Recorded intros and teasers for the show.
- Technology for the show's backend
- Provide detailed notes, along with a "here's what you're missing" clip, for each show, so you can decide at a glance whether this particular week will be up your alley.
However, one thing that will be changing is the live format. Because of the increased emphasis on production, we've made the decision not to record live each Saturday on Ustream. The podcast team, or rather the significant others of the podcast team, also found the middle-of-the-weekend broadcast schedule problematic, and our couches aren't very comfortable. So, instead, every Monday morning we'll deliver a fresh podcast for you to listen to via download, streaming audio, or iTunes. We know this affects a large number of you who listen to the show each week in the chat channel, and hopefully you'll be pleased with the other changes.
If you have further feedback for the show, please feel free to email theshow@wow.com or get in touch with me personally at sacco@wow.com and we can have a discussion.
Filed under: WoW Insider Show
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Sarakin Mar 23rd 2010 4:30PM
Interesting hopefully all the changes add up to a good thing.
spamofchaz Mar 23rd 2010 4:35PM
The changes sound like they will be very useful. I'm glad you're not altering the actual flow of the show.
Hism Mar 23rd 2010 4:43PM
I think these changes will add to the quality of the podcast, and allow for listeners to get an hour of content. Connection issues, pauses, and other problems can be edited out. This is a win for the audience. Many might not like the idea of getting rid of the chat channel, but once again it will add more time for actual content besides being "derailed" by the chat channel.
stochastic Mar 23rd 2010 5:07PM
These are all excellent changes.
A few more I would suggest:
1. I don't think most people care what matt or anyone else has been up to in WOW. It feels more like a blog about their characters in podcast. I think the emphasis should move from what they did in WoW last week to what happened in WoW last week.
2. Bring some columnists to talk about one or two topic in depth. I don't understand why you don't leverage the content on this website more. I would suggest pvp and crafting since those are things I find interesting.
3. Some of the hosts have a tendency to repeat themselves or repeat what someone else has already said on the show. They also tend to talk over each other which is super annoying.
Pupp Mar 23rd 2010 5:43PM
I disagree with your point 1 to a certain extent. I like hearing about Rossi and his exploits in the game. And of course the other guests/hosts. Now I don't want to hear them ramble on forever, but if they've finally got Lich King down lets hear about it. Or whatever else they might have done.
Regards
Turtell Mar 23rd 2010 5:52PM
Lol, maybe not crafting and pvp specifically. How about you guys focus on the most popular stories on the site and give your own unique insight and opinions on it rather than talking about wow news alone; I definitely think you should be plugging the site a bit more on the show.
Sky Mar 23rd 2010 6:39PM
I would suggest pvp and crafting since those are things I find interesting.
I stopped reading after that. So the show sucks cause you don't like what the topics that they talk about... right....... you > all
stochastic Mar 23rd 2010 9:17PM
Sky, you did not read my comments properly because I simply suggested that they go more in depth into a few topics rather than just a superficial coverage of news. I listed pvp and crafting as topics that they could cover which I would enjoy but of course I would enjoy them talking about any aspect of the game as long as it is done in depth.
Oni Stardust Mar 24th 2010 12:39PM
I strongly disagree with your first point. Personally I love to hear what Mike and Matt are up to in the World of Warcraft. It makes them feel more like people and less like news bots.
I think the best thing about this (and most) podcast(s) is the opinions of the hosts. I don't want to listen to impartial news reporters like I see on channel 3, I want to hear them tell the news and then give their opinions on it.
After all, I already know most of the things they talk about anyway because I read wow.com every day, it's the opinions that make the podcast interesting.
Bionic Radd Mar 29th 2010 12:01AM
Add me to the list of people that disagree with Point 1. Hearing what the guests and hosts have been doing gives insight into how they like to play the game, which is important info to have. If I know someone is heavily into raiding, I won't be shocked if they don't fully sympathize with casual players and vice versa.
Hëx Mar 23rd 2010 4:53PM
RIP Chat Channel, we shall miss you. However everything else the changes bring are good for both the hosts and the consumers, so no tears shed.
halophoenix Mar 23rd 2010 6:31PM
Agreed. You know, I really like the changes, but I really dislike the death of the chat channel. Being in there was more than just "an opportunity to get your name mentioned," for me it was a reason to show up every Saturday to chat with the people in there. There was some real community there.
While I'm sure this is better for the show in general and hopefully will make it a better one, it's still sad to see that part go.
Dogtag Mar 23rd 2010 7:17PM
I'm with you there, the chat channel was the cherry on top.
RetPallyJil Mar 23rd 2010 5:00PM
Aw, ok be that way.
[Redheadedret leaves chat]
Nik Mar 23rd 2010 5:04PM
This will certainly lead to a much more professional and on-track show.
Also, will the most recent show ever be put up on Itunes or will it become a 'lost episode?'
Ted Mar 31st 2010 5:17PM
I hope so. Mike and Turp had the ridiculous chops to take care of an off-topic flow, new crew not so much. They have to do something to bring back all the people that left with Schramm.
Scott Mar 23rd 2010 5:09PM
I don't think there was a lost episode, just a cancelled one.
i, for one, applaud the move to pre-taped. Live is fun, but a bit of a pain to make time for (listeners and producers alike). I would just ask that you try to stick to a consistent release schedule; nothing frustrates me more than constantly checking to see if a podcast has actually posted. Sure, it's a nice surprise to see a new "random" episode, but i hate waiting. And even worse is KNOWING that a podcast was live on a particular day, yet waiting over a week to see it show up on iTunes... i know there is post-production work to be done, but c'mon, ten days??? By the time most "live" podcasts are posted they are obsolete.
Thanks for the hard work guys, looking forward to the next 'sode!
jfofla Mar 23rd 2010 5:14PM
There absolutely is a Lost Episode. The one they recorded on a Wednesday because they could not do it on a Saturday. That show was never released.
Phaelan Mar 23rd 2010 5:22PM
back in the days of WoWRaido I believe it was Episode 23, but don't quote me, they talked about it on once, but never brought it up again
Cataca Mar 23rd 2010 6:15PM
Yeah, they lost the last show. Show 133 I think.
Lots of people missed this because I think it was edited in later and was at the bottom of the page.
"There was a complete recording failure at the end of the last show, and while we have recovered the podcast, it's taking a bit longer to edit together. We'll get this episode up as soon as we can."
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/10/wow-insider-show-live-today-at-noon-eastern/
And this last weekends show was canceled because Sacco was sick. (Hope your feeling better!)
After them losing that show it seems like Elizabeth Harper sat them down and ask "Ok, what do you need to make this work properly?"
This is what they came up with so I hope it works out. The improvements sound nice, though at the cost of the live recording was a hefty fine to pay.