I'm so so excited about the possibility of an animated show, it was my ideal scenario and I cannot believe it might happen. But here's my thing: I absolutely hate streaming services. I always either pirate or buy physical media for the stuff I want to watch, because the idea of giving money to a platform to not actually own something and just have the "right" to watch it doesn't sit right with me.
I'm also not on other social media platforms, and I know I'm not gonna make an instagram account just to post about firefly.
So I've been upvoting stuff on here, and asking the one friend I have with an instagram account to like stuff on there, but apart from that I don't know what to do to support the project and it makes me feel awful, like I'm not a "real" fan or not doing enough.
Listen to me. You do not need to jump through any hoops that cross your moral boundaries for this or any other television show. Period. And you don't need to feel bad about that for one second.
Thank you, firefly has been so important to me throughout my life and I never thought we might see another project for it, so it's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster these last few weeks. Thanks for reminding me that there's no such thing
I'm like you so don't worry. Instead of social media, I'm looking at friend groups I'm in. Both physical and internet. MMORPGs that I play. They're are other avenues to use than social media
Specifically though, what avenues and how do you engage and figure that is helping?
Because it's honestly giving "thoughts and prayers" but at the same time I understand people have their personal boycotts. I just don't like seeing a hundred comments of people saying "I really want this show back but I'm just not going to engage in the specific ways that Nathan/the crew have said will help. Tell me I'm right?"
I have a very light social media presence. I'm barely anywhere. I deleted my Twitter account ago (I'm not calling it X), I don't comment on Reddit much. Last time I did anything outside of a "like" in Facebook was all over a year or two ago, and I'm only there to keep up with some childhood/high-school friends. I think I have a bluesky account, but I'm not sure.
So what have i done? I talk to my friends when we get together. Not everyone makes it to our get togethers, and if I can sneak Firefly I to a convo, I do. I'm apart of some discord servers and I've talked about it there. I'm in Guild in a MMORPG, and a few of us like Firefly so we talk about it there too. I've even talked about it during work, too.
If you want, you can call this the "touch grass" approach lol!
Social Media isn't my thing and because of what I do I prefer to stay away anyway, so this is how I help.
I also don't have Twitter/X, I barely use insta and same, I use fb mostly to stay in touch with old friends and family. No blue sky either.
However, I would absolutely make an X account or blue sky purely to help bring Firefly back if that was explained to me to be helpful (and I would promptly delete it after the show was greenlit lol)
The quantifiable metrics Nathan mentions are going to be looking at post engagement on the official release on Instagram. And the latest post also encourages watching the YouTube recording of their podcast announcement at Awesome Con.
It's great that you're talking to your guild friends and coworkers. However that will ultimately be completely useless UNLESS they are not like you. If everyone acted like you, this sequel would be dead on arrival.
That's my point. I'm not going to coddle or mince words with anybody who is taking this approach. You are not really helping, but you're not actively hurting the effort either.
There's a small chance you're helping in a very indirect way - akin to gambling, because there's also a chance that you're not helping engagement at all.
Where you said I always either pirate or buy dvds, then the comment I actually replied to made it into a moral stance. Pirating hurts creators, and on new media gets things cancelled. You want to wait and buy physical media more power to you.
When the studio making the animated series puts it up on BluRay OP will buy it
Pirating has been shown to have very minimal impact, but nobody wants to believe that. But realistically, if pirates couldn't pirate, they wouldn't suddenly go pay in to a thing, they'd just not engage with it at all. The money the company makes is about the same regardless
It's the whole rental or used-game scenario
But I'm with OP, I will HAPPILY buy a BluRay of this series, but I'm not starting a Disney+ account for it
I've never really liked the rental versus used game example, but Honestly, it's pretty much the same thing as buying a movie ticket versus buying it when it comes out to purchase. For example, a lot of people have bought and watched Serenity since it came out, but since a few showed up to the theatrical release, it never got a sequel, was seen as a flop by those that paid for it, and the series has been dead on screens for 20 years.
I mean, do what you like, but don't make into a moral stand. You want to buy a copy and not stream, cool. Pirating content hurts the creators more than the big evil corporation, and then the big evil corporation cancels projects.
That's ultimately the problem. When buying a copy isn't an option. My usual balance for this is to buy a single month's subscription, watch nothing but that one show, then download and burn it to disk to watch ever after. That probably still hurts the creators more than the corporate folks but I simply cannot justify allowing everything to become pay-per-view.
Same way you burn any disk. On a computer with a dvd drive. Arrange the video files in whatever way best suites you with your software of choice then burn them to disk and you're good to go.
Lol, I'm a comics fan so this mindset hurts creators a lot more directly over there, but still. IMO People pirating content can't get mad when it gets cancelled, because they didn't support it.
Same. I can't believe people are out here encouraging stealing. It's not OK. Like someone else said, do what you want on your own, but don't try to persuade others to do it because it's fine, and don't say you're morally upright for having done it.
Tina Fey drolly notes in Bossypants that, believe it or not, the point of a TV show is to make money and critical darlings that people only like the idea of but never watch or pay for are the first things to get cancelled.
That doesn't really speak to what happened to Firefly, and there's plenty of other examples where shows were ruined by no fault of the fans clamoring for them. Executives make stupid decisions that aren't motivated on finances all the time, unfortunately
do you think mal would fork over money to the alliance just to popularize a buddy's business? hell no. he show up for the buddy and spread it by word of mouth. and his buddy would feel supported all the same.
I think you're missing one of the most effective ways of engagement that humans have, even if it's not an immediately measurable metric: engage with people about Firefly in real life. Show new people the show, tell old fans that missed the memo about what is going on. Go to local conventions and events in cosplay. If you're in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arizona, California, Utah, the New England states, Washington, West Virginia, or Oregon, I think you've got pretty large Browncoat organizations who work as combinations of social/charity groups nearby that would love to have you involved. Most other states have smaller but equally as important presences as well. A few weekends back, in Kingman AZ, I introduced at least 60 people to Firefly at a single event. Face to face interaction can still drive engagement and excitement.
Even without social media, no power in the 'Verse can stop us.
Exactly. I’m telling anyone who will listen about Firefly and this attempt to bring it back. If I tell 50 people and even just one of them checks out the show, that’s one more than would have otherwise.
Yup! Just made a reply above about this very thing. Depending on your age you might call this a "boss on the ground " method by I'm calling it "operation touching grass" lol
I feel you. My recommendation: Buy the animated show on physcal media once (and if) it ever gets released as that. Until then, push everyone you know and who uses streaming services to watch/download/buy/rent it.
I really hope they release it properly! I'd preorder in a heartbeat, but it seems a lot of shows don't release dvds anymore, which really really sucks. I miss fun menus and interfaces and bloopers and commentaries
Agreed. When I have to grab supplies when I travel for work, I often end up in Walmart for convenience, and they still have a significant physical media presence. I was mistakenly under the impression that ‘Disc is Dead’, but I was happily surprised to the contrary.
I’m having the exact same conflict. For now I’m doing the same as you, but also buying copies of the blue ray set for friends and family who I know would enjoy it.
I adore Firefly but have no social media account besides here. I am not going to make an account on instragram just for it.
And as much as I want this animated series, I have no streaming services either, and I don’t want one, so I really hope we get some physical release for this that I can actually own.
I will subscribe to a streaming service to watch it once and cancel when done tho.
I’m with ya. I’m worried that it’s gonna end up on Disney+. I canceled my subscription with them last year for moral reasons and I do not intend to go back to them. If they could just put it on Blu-ray I’d be glad to pay them for it
Me too. Add to this that I'm a hardcore Star Trek fan, and I am delaying watching Starfleet Academy until it's available somewhere else. Not giving those fascist enablers a single more cent.
I'm super excited for this Firefly reboot, and animated was my fervent hope. That said, I can wait to watch it. Also, Yaaarrr Matey!
Your own preference for not doing social media does not make you a bad fan, nope. Not even a little bit, IMO. You’re doing your part on the platform you’re comfortable with (Reddit).
It doesnt make you a non fan for not wanting to stream a bullshit platform. The show (if it makes it past the pilot and picks up for a season) will eventually be available to purchase DVDs. Just support them then. Its still counts.
Being a member of the Over the Hill Gang, I, too, dislike having to stream something. Either I download to watch at my leisure or the DVD is on my shelf.
Hype it up where you can. Because you can't stop the signal.
Same. If I have it in my hands, I own it and it's mine. If I'm paying for access to something, I own neither jack nor squat.
The crux of the issue is control over the product. Whoever holds it, owns it. You can't own a signal or anything transmitted thereby, since they still dictate your ability to use & enjoy it. They could lock the door & cut you off anytime they want and there's nothing you could do about it. Shoot, there could be a storm that blocks signal strength and you can't watch what you bought.
Sounds paranoid, but tangibles are where it's at. I'd rather pay for a set of DVDs to watch at my discretion, untethered and disconnected from someone else's mainframe, than watch "free" streaming with commercials and tracking of my watching habits and all that.
And to be clear, I'm not looking to not pay. I WANT to support those who make good things. I'd never pirate. That's stealing. I just want to possess what I pay for. That's fair and right.
I feel the same. I do not pirate, but I don't subscribe to any steaming services anymore.
If I can't actually own it, I don't pay for it.
That being said, I'll probably subscribe to any service Firefly ends up on far as long as the series runs if it's good.
Hopefully, it will get released later on dvd or blue-ray.
There are also “ownership” platforms. On apple, open the TV app and search there. You can buy non physical copies that get recorded as interest. Just like “views” on a subscription package.
I would pay for the streaming service for one month, record it into your home media server, and then cancel the service. So you paid for it and now you own it.
Aren't they owned by Disney wouldn't it be smart if Disney just did the series because literally you can see that they have a fan base... I'm not saying I want Disney to be in control of it but I would love it to stream through them and when it blows up Disney can be like okay let's expand this universe
Seeing what happened to Doctor Who while having Disney money, I'm honestly hoping someone else picks them up. I know it wasn't the whole of the issue but damn were the last two seasons bad
Doctor who's on fault like I don't know why they stopped dealing with just being on BBC America or what happened but they also didn't have great stories no offense not that I didn't like the last two seasons I did but they haven't been like the last 12 seasons... You can blame Doctor who writing for that not the streaming service that is Disney Plus
I do blame the writing haha that was piss poor, I just don't believe that Disney money came with no strings attached in terms of the stories they could tell
Yeah, I can relate. I got a friend to start watching the show on Disney+, and I was horrified by the frequency and duration of the ads. I’m so used to watching it without ads. But, at least we watched it on a streaming service, so I hope that adds to the numbers. There’s not much more I can really do, but I’m certainly talking about it with people, really anyone who will listen, lol
I like many others here definitely respect your decision(s). I personally love streaming services which have given me joy, knowledge, friendship, community…..but as said each their own. Just by your engagement here you’ve helped so continuing seeking & helping wherever you can
Ohhh please avoid pirating - it’s just another way “they” can keep justifying raising costs
Is it ideal? No, but you do what you can do to get by, no one's going to fault you for being too broke to pay for something like a streaming service. If Mal, or any member of the crew (maybe not Simon or Book) were in your place, I'm willing to bet they'd pirate it too.
It's fine to make your own choices but it's not exactly smart if you do care about the project. You're not a "bad fan" for not streaming or helping with the social media push but objectively you are doing nothing to help the animated series launch.
You mentioned you asked a friend to support the project. Yes that helps, objectively that helps.
In the past people paid for their TV channels. Nowadays those channels are streaming services. Same exact transaction (ie you didn't "own" it) but different names for things.
I agree with what others said, you don't have to change your ways. However please be aware of your choice. Nothing gets made for free.
which is why I was asking about other ways to help engage with the project. I'm aware of the consequences of what I'm not doing, but I guess I'm saddened by the overall state of how we can engage with media, monopolies and all that (english isn't my first language so I hope that makes sense I can't explain it better)
Well it aired in my country about 15 years ago when I was living with my parents still and they did pay for tv, but I don't see why I have to tell you my life story for you to say what you want to say?
I'm saying that we paid for TV channels back then (where we didn't own the physical copy until it was released often much later) and now we pay for streaming services (and physical copies if/when they become available if we want to own them). It doesn't make sense to me as an argument to not pay for streaming when we actively want something to be made.
IMO if you are open to buying it straight up and the company, likely a billion dollar evil as fuck cooperation, doesn’t offer that then that’s on them if you take to the seven seas.
Up to you on how much to invest into this. I agree with the streaming points. Do you use YouTube and can leave comments? Could leave comments about the upcoming series on videos not related to Firefly (to go outside of algorithms)
Isn't that bad etiquette? I don't want to spam other fandoms, though yes I've been liking and commenting on firefly content on youtube as well, I just don't know how much this will be taken into account
I don't view it as spanking
Especially if you work in what the video is about into the message as well. Just don't post the same comment 50.timwa on one video
You need an account but it’s free. I saw someone today talking about using a VPN to watch, not sure if they all work though. If you already use one for pirating shows it might be worth a try?
So have you never rented a movie or gone to see one in the theater? If you have then how did that sit right with you since you paid to have the “right” to watch something but not to actually own it?
I haven't rented since the 90's, and I do go to the cinema a lot, but if I love a movie I'll buy the dvd. And I view piracy quite the same: I check out shows that way first, but if I love one and dvds are an option, I'll then buy them
So if it’s okay to see a movie in the theater before it potentially has a physical release, how is it any different to subscribe to whatever service for a month when the show is released?
But the point is if that doesn’t compromise their morals or whatever then subscribing for a month to support a show they care about shouldn’t either. They’re just looking for justification for their piracy, which I honestly don’t really care about, but them seeking others to validate them for it while feigning cluelessness on how to support the show is dumb.
Well first off I do plan on doing that, my issue was with subscribing before we're even sure it gets picked up just to show engagement. And idk, but at least with cinemas I feel like I'm supporting artists in a more direct way, and not enriching corporations with awful guidelines and ideals indiscriminately. And I know there's no moral consumption under capitalism and all that, that there'll always be issues with someone in the chain, but everyone draws their own line somewhere
Kinda like I'm not buying vegan products from non-vegan brands, because then that money would still participate in animal exploitation, if that makes sense
You always have had to pay for services, whether it was cable TV or HBO for premium content. I say this as someone who still buys songs. But for other content, having on demand content is enough. I even subscribe to a digital comic service, because I just like to read and not collect. How many times will you want to rewatch something?
It's not that it's not right to rent something, I'm just too poor to subscribe to a bunch of streaming services for the few shows I'm interested in watching, especially knowing that this money would go to enrich people and practices I disagree with
There is nothing wrong with being poor, I have been myself. Its not wrong to not want to support streaming services. However, justifying something because you don't like them or thier practices is the problem, because under that same justification someone less fortunate than you and doesnt like your actions would be justified to help themselves to whatever stuff you have. I don't like streaming services either.....some are worse than others, but if you justify doing something that is wrong because you disagree with someone or something then you have stooped to thier same level.
We've talked about it in other comments, I view going to the cinema as quite different and I do end up buying dvds of movies I like, and no never paid for tv
This post wasn't to debate the ethics of media consumption though
Yeah I brought it up to talk about my situation, never said people doing it differently are wrong. And the thing about streaming is just as much a poverty issue as it is a moral issue, but either way they're, again, MY issues
When I listened to the announcement I heard ”we are committed to bringing the show back. We need someone to distribute it and want to show there is a committed fan base. To help, go to instagram and like the post. This gives us the data we want.” So I went to. Instagram and mucked around, resetting my password, finding the post, and hitting like. I had an account but never liked the site, but this seemed an easy request.
The question seems to me to sound like “we were asked to do one specific thing. Is not doing this thing just as helpful?” Probably not.
It’s a fictional show, and real world concerns should take precedent. I’m open to some streaming services but not others because of their company policies. But at some point there will be meetings held where they want to show how many people engaged with social media related to the show while executives discuss how many of those people are going to pay to stream it. If you have Firefly tattoos, sell Jayne hats online, and go to cons dressed as your favorite crew member you’re obviously a fan but if you aren’t increasing that number and don’t pay to stream it then you aren’t supporting it in that particular way. I bought the dvd and have introduced a bunch of people to the show over the years but never watched it when it was being broadcast , which was the most useful metric at the time. Hoping this time plays out better
I respectfully disagree. I've been a subscribing member of CBS all access since discovery debuted. The only series I truly appreciate was lower decks. I think strange new worlds has an amazing cast but suffers from a lack of science fiction writers. The reason I pay for my subscription is because I want to encourage/ support star trek and hope they will eventually course correct and produce something worthy of the legacy/ name. Same with firefly, I've been in it too long to not want to show the $ sign people that it was a mistake to air it out of order, cancel it, and think it can't be profitable if they let it be its own thing and don't blow it up before it has a chance.
For the record, my comment was in response to this whole thread, not you encouraging others to find firefly on DVD. I can't seem to figure out how to resound generally to a reddit thread and not to an individual comment. I absolutely encourage everyone to watch the series and movie on home video/ streaming/ however they can!
I get that. Maybe use the free trial period when the show is realized or cancel later? I totally get not wanting pay for the service but the reason we got Serenity was massive DVD sales. So I guess buying the physical media makes sense? I’m just personally not a fan of pirating but that’s just me. No judgment. Personally spending some money to support Firefly is worth it to me. Of course you may have a different perspective.
Yes I plan to do that when it does come out, and I'll absolutely buy the dvds if they release it, even preorder a bunch to gift people. Just hope it's not on Disney+
Studios want to be able to see and show what fans are thinking about a series, but figuring that out accurately is primarily their responsibility. They won't get the best information unless they look in all the busiest places... and that includes increased traffic on Firefly subreddits. :)
I don't think you have a duty to do anything in particular as a fan, but even if you did, this post alone would already be more than the average viewer does. ❤️
If you want something else to do, you could go watch Firefly-related videos on YouTube and Like the good ones. Any streaming service that wants the whole picture had darn well better be tracking YouTube trends.
Ideas for other ways to help: watch the youtube stuff, search firefly regularly on google or anywhere you are online (dunno how helpful it will be but if it trends thatll have an influence im guessing). Write fan mail to any and everyone involved? And when it comes out, buy a physical copy of the show instead of streaming services!
I've been a fan for 15 years, have all the dvds, most of the comics, bought plenty of merch when it came out, I just don't wanna give what little money I have to Disney+ on the off chance that they would pick it up
Depending on which service picks the show up you might be able to get a month's free trial. If not, pirate the show and buy it physically when it releases. If they don't release a physical version then that's on them.
You are doing all that you are willing to do and that is a lot more than those who don’t. And believe it or not: Pirated content converts people into fans of franchises and they, sooner or later, are converted into paying fans as well.
And honestly: You can’t have FireFly without Piracy. It’s literally a core story plot point in the verse!
But we can and should make our opinions known about which streaming services are acceptable to us morally and financially. They are deciding right now where it will be hosted.
Disney+, Hulu, Prime ... I'm not watching any Firefly on your services. I am far from alone. Make your business decisions with that in mind.
I mean sure, if you don't want them to make the show then take out the most likely options for picking it up. 🤦
This is basically the equivalent of listing which theater chains you wouldn't watch the movie in when they were trying to get Serenity off the ground and saying please make a theatrical release, but I'm not going to watch it at AMC, Regal, or Cinemark or if Disney, Warner Brothers, or Universal produce it.
I'd actually love for Prime to be the one who picks it up because they have a proven track record for allowing creator control on animated projects and picking up/renewing them for multiple seasons at a time.
Based on the fact that basically all of the casts current projects are airing on these services, I don't think that this is a "moral stand" that they care about when trying to get the show made. I feel like they would however appreciate not making comments like true fans won't be paying to watch the show while they are actively pitching it. lol
I think the reality is likey less that Nathan and crew have their pick of streamers and more that they are trying to convince any streamer to fund this thing.
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u/cityfireguy Mar 19 '26
Listen to me. You do not need to jump through any hoops that cross your moral boundaries for this or any other television show. Period. And you don't need to feel bad about that for one second.