Talk:Merlin (2008 TV series)

Internet Archive links of pages which are not dead

Hi @Bbb23, I want to ask you something: with my modification on Merlin I wanted to recover some references from Inernet Archive, but I also cancelled some Internet Archive links of still active pages. What's wrong with my modification? If the link is still active, why do we have to put an Internet Archive page? I think IA pages are useful only when the pages are dead. Am I wrong? 87.11.203.154 (talk) 16:24, 26 June 2023 (UTC)

To be honest, I'm not sure what the guideline is on creating archive links for content that is still available at the original source, but I know I've seen it done. Anyway, I'm going to reinstate your edit because, personally, I don't like archive links (they're soooo slow). Maybe someone else can enlighten us.--Bbb23 (talk) 17:09, 26 June 2023 (UTC)

Adding additional broadcast information

@Bbb23 I don't think there should be an issue in adding this additional current and sourced factual broadcast information, it speaks to the popularity of the show and can be helpful for those looking for where it is available. Not an advertisement, just factual ( I didn't even know there was an Amazon channel for example until I happened to see it today while looking looking up something else): "In the UK, the show has reaired on Sky Mix and Sky Sci-Fi, in addition to being available on BBC IPlayer. The free streaming service Plex launched a Merlin channel in 2023 for U.S. viewers, in addition to a separate Merlin channel airing on Amazon Prime's Freevee.". It is standard for many TV related articles. (For example: Robin Hood https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood_(2006_TV_series) The Flintstones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flintstones newsjunkie (talk) 03:21, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

The way you describe the "need" to add the information only confirms it's like an advertisement ("it speaks to the popularity of the show and can be helpful for those looking for where it is available"). We don't write articles with fans in mind. BTW, pinging works only if you include my username and sign in the same edit.--Bbb23 (talk) 13:30, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

How is it different then any other information one would include? It's not about the fans, it's on objective indicator of how popular a show is - something that is popular is more likely to be rerun and shown often and be available in a lot of places versus something that isn't. For example, the show Atlantis by the same creators which followed Merlin, has been rerun on the same U.K. channels, but not as often and there are no Atlantis TV channels versus two different ones for Merlin, an indicator that it is less popular than Merlin. (in addition to being cancelled earlier). So it provides additional context to something like ratings since broadcasters will make something available when they think there is an interest obviously, especially when it's an older show. Where something is available can be of interest to anyone who is trying to learn about a show whether they are a new viewer, or someone doing research on fantasy shows or television history or whatever. That's why I put the Robin Hood show entry as an example which includes similar information and was the predecessor show in the time slot. newsjunkie (talk) 17:59, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

Hard core fans probably know where it is available, it is casual viewers or people only finding out through this page who may not. It's just pointing where it is accessible if one is curious about viewing the original source for any reason. Putting information about the DVD release could just as easily be called "advertising" in fact even more so because it actually requires you to pay money, most of the sources I wanted to note are free and so a more practical than having to go out and buy a physical release. The wide availability on free services in the U.S. and U.K.is also in contrast to other countries.... in Germany for example it is no longer available on any streaming service, only fur digital purchase at the moment. newsjunkie (talk) 21:17, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

The home media section includes reference links where you can buy the DVDs on Amazon. This is just noting alternatives to that. That is all. newsjunkie (talk) 21:22, 4 September 2024 (UTC)

References