The problem with TV is that what you film, edit and broadcast is always no more than a snapshot in time of where you were at that time - and that works just fine. But when stuff is repeated again and again over many years, then the stuff dates fast............but that is the nature of satellite TV where repeats are the name of the game. And for the record, no, we do not get repeat fees. Wish I did though !!
It's nothing to do with Diesel why I am not making more programmes - it is because the TV stations are not asking us to make proper shows. I have been asked to do a few TV related things over the last couple of years and have turned them down for various reasons. I am not into being on TV for any other reason than to make decent shows - subject to one's personal opinion of course, but I have no real interest in churning the same kind of stuff out again and again, and especially when people want to give us less time (less budget) to make proper shows. Why make worse stuff just to be on (very minor) TV ? I get no kick out of being on the box, but I do get a huge kick out of the creative buzz and the pressure that comes with making fishing shows.
What would I do differently based on what I know now ? I can see where you are coming from Keith, but quite frankly, TV aside, I believe passionately in evolving as an angler and a person anyway, so yes, things would be done differently. But that's not because I am what I might term a bass freak these days. It's because I believe that I have a greater understanding of what makes better fishing TV. Note the word fishing TV. Not fishing. Fishing TV. Big, big difference, especially when it comes to sitting in meetings and having to deal with idiots who know nothing about what you are trying to do, and all they want are shows that rate well, on time and within the budget.
But who are you making the shows for ?
Is it for hardcore anglers ?
Is it for the angler and their families ?
Is it for a completely wide ranging audience who have no interest in the ins and outs of fishing ?
One person hates programmes from abroad, the next loves them - it's personal choice, and I always tell people to switch off if they don't like something. I do.
Personally, I love my UK and Irish fishing with a passion, but the world as a place fascinates me - there is so much fishing out there, and I want to see and learn as much as I can.