RE: BabestationX - the webshow
Well I am way behind the curve on this, but here are a few thoughts.
Are BabestationX throwing in the towel by going web only, or being very astute? Its not that long ago that the idea you could run a major retail operation web seemed laughable. A niche retailer for nerds perhaps. Today Amazon and iTunes are among the largest operators going, and most people buy physical books and game DVDs on the web with VAT free delivery from Jersey courtesy of British governments that dont seem phased by the loss of jobs and tax. Meanwhile Dixons and HMV went bust. They had web presences but were outclassed by doing too little too late.
So its a smart move to become a web operation? Er, no. I cant think of a single business that successfully ditched its older delivery methods in favour of web only. New start ups, yes, established businesses, no.
Web BSX become the go to name for web porn? Just as Amazon, Apple and Google are the default for other stuff? No. They have sod all free content, cant advertise on TV and are up against a mass of free hardcore.
"At least its completely unrestricted". Again, no. ATVOD means Ofcom gets their hands on it, albeit in a dilute form. They already say you must use register using a credit card - not a debit card because under 18s have those - and actually part with cash to prove age. There are plans to limit UK web services to R18 strength even if perfectly legal in the entire rest of the EU. Goodbye squirting and fisting when they bring that in. If the BBFC has a change of heart it could even mean compulsory condoms or no more group sex. The BBFC already technically bans material that is (arguably) illegal to produce - public nudity, public sex, treating it as potentially criminal, so no more dogging, flashing or beach sex unless clearly staged.
Give it a year, and they will gradually lower the bar, a bit at a time, so only a few people are hacked off at the same time.
OK, there are loopholes, including payment by SMS, but give it time.
Don't know about you, but I don't want payments to porn merchants appearing on my bank statement, however discreet, and I don't want that flagged up if I ever apply for a job with criminal record checks.
Anyone remember the episode of Alan Partridge set in the Linton Travel Lodge where he queries and item his bill, asking the delectable Sally Phillips what "sundries" were, and she tells him it was for subscription porn, what he watched (Thai Ladyboys) and how long he watched (15 minutes)? Both your bank and your ISP will store more information about you than you might be comfortable sharing.
Don't kid yourselves, the likes of the News Of The World will be able to access that when you with the lottery/XFactor/inherit a million/marry a Royal/criticise someone famous.
"At least there a regular live shows". Are there? Looking back there seem to be quite a few cancellations and how often are they at best? One a week? The website doesn't even have a schedule. The information might be on some blog somewhere, but WTF should I have to search for it? What if I shell out, open the hobnobs, and find I dont like babe? What if it turns out the live show is on when I have company?
At least Sport and TVX managed to run live shows 7 nights a week for what, 90 minutes each? Until gone midnight?
"The shows feature ordinary Babestation presenters". That's both a strength and a weakness. We all like the girl next door look. Achievable, at least in our dreams, perhaps if she has had a few and is on the rebound, with a chance of more dates once she has got to know us, and not looking like some slapper who will be doing double anal with complete strangers round the back of the bus station tomorrow.
BUT as everyone has pointed out, models who have the brains to follow Ofcom rules and are happy to work softcore channels, doing nothing harder than talking dirty, tend not to be into a solid hour of publically using a giant dildo or giving cunilingus to a relative stranger, particularly if the other presenter has a reputation for being "difficult" and they had an all out screaming match about who was contributing more prior to the show.
There is a divide between old style presenters who have fewer qualms about being more physical, and todays ones who are comfortable with todays boundaries. Few work well in both environments.
So, no advertising, rare live content that is sometimes cancelled, tighter restrictions on the way, on the record registration and lots of free competition. Not a good combination, and possibly a short lived final gasp. Pity.
Gone fishing
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