The Toy Show

Xenophile

It is time to bring an end to the annual Toy Show on RTE.

Despite it being a huge commercial success it is questionable if it ever was a good idea to exhibit toys which were not affordable to so many families.

Half of all adults are also struggling to pay their bills on time, a survey by the Irish League of Credit Unions has found.
42% of consumers have had to borrow money to pay bills in the last 12 months and only three in 10 are able to save any money at the end of the month.
Levels of disposable income are also continuing to decrease with an increase of 35,000 since June in the numbers with just €100 or less at the end of the month.

It is interesting to note that the BBC never broadcast a similar programme, my thoughts are that they were aware of the impact a programme like this would have on social exclusion.

irishbarb

I disagree. Yes it does exhibit some toys that are too expensive to many families, but from the many Toys Shows I've watched they show toys from a broad ranges of price. From €5-€500, sometimes more sometimes less. Prices to suit every family's financial situation. Plus, I don't understand how showing toys that are too expensive for some people on a TV show is a problem? The BBC don't have a show like it, but I would be suprised if they don't show ads with expensive toys and other goods that many people can't afford before Christmas. I grew up in a family of 6 kids, my family were always just keeping their heads above water even during the Celtic tiger, and we never felt hard done by because we couldn't get some mad toy that cost a fortune. It didn't make my parents feel pressured either, because they are just as excited as the kids to watch it.

I also think that it raises the country's morale, which is something we need during this crappy time in our economy. Everyone I know is talking about the Toy Show and how they can't wait for it, young or old, kids or no kids, weeks before it's on. It's become part of our culture nearly at this stage. I'm sure there are some bad sides to it, but personally I think it does a lot more good then harm. Hope you don't think I was having a go, which putting in my two cents

irishgeo

irishbarb wrote: »

I disagree. Yes it does exhibit some toys that are too expensive to many families, but from the many Toys Shows I've watched they show toys from a broad ranges of price. From €5-€500, sometimes more sometimes less. Prices to suit every family's financial situation. Plus, I don't understand how showing toys that are too expensive for some people on a TV show is a problem? The BBC don't have a show like it, but I would be suprised if they don't show ads with expensive toys and other goods that many people can't afford before Christmas. I grew up in a family of 6 kids, my family were always just keeping their heads above water even during the Celtic tiger, and we never felt hard done by because we couldn't get some mad toy that cost a fortune. It didn't make my parents feel pressured either, because they are just as excited as the kids to watch it.

I also think that it raises the country's morale, which is something we need during this crappy time in our economy. Everyone I know is talking about the Toy Show and how they can't wait for it, young or old, kids or no kids, weeks before it's on. It's become part of our culture nearly at this stage. I'm sure there are some bad sides to it, but personally I think it does a lot more good then harm. Hope you don't think I was having a go, which putting in my two cents

The BBC dont show ads.

irishgrover

with respect, I could not disagree more.

When I was young I loved the toy show. I remember excitement and amazement in equal doses*. I never got any of the "fancy" toys that were on it, scalectrix, evel knievel etc. But that never took away from my love of it - it was more that the toys. It was the confirmation that Christmas was really on the way, it was trying to stay awake, but falling asleep beside my parents anyway...

I never expected to get what was on the telly, it didn't make the late late show any less wonderful....

30 years later I still watch it and still love it, but now my kids understand that you can't get something just 'cause someone else has it or 'cause it's on TV.

* - obviously I'm excluding Billie Barry kids from all of this, as even at a very early age I hated there obnoxious precociousness

stevenmu

irishgrover wrote: »

30 years later I still watch it and still love it, but now my kids understand that you can't get something just 'cause someone else has it or 'cause it's on TV.

Which is an important lesson that most of the rest of the country would be better off learning.

Toto Wolfcastle

A lot of people can't afford expensive things but many people still can. Why would companies not continue to advertise expensive things? They still have to make money.

For a lot of people the Toy Show isn't about the toys. It's about the experience. It's about sitting down with the family. It's about posting on the thread on Boards to slate it. For a lot of people it marks the beginning of the Christmas season.

Sairus

Not quite on the same topic, but does anyone know if this streamed online live last year, and if it will do it this year?
It's a little tricky to get the aul RTE in Tokyo

telekon

Id be more concerned about the broke RTE family making expensive CGI Toy Show promos they can ill afford this Christmas...

jaykay74

Sairus wrote: »

Not quite on the same topic, but does anyone know if this streamed online live last year, and if it will do it this year?
It's a little tricky to get the aul RTE in Tokyo

Don't think so. Last year I downloaded it the following morning and watched it with the kids on the Saturday.

Duckworth_Luas

telekon wrote: »

Id be more concerned about the broke RTE family making expensive CGI Toy Show promos they can ill afford this Christmas...

I saw one where it looked like Harrison Ford had finally been run over by the rolling boulder from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Looked like a ribbon in an Indiana Jones outfit!

Skid

Sairus wrote: »

Not quite on the same topic, but does anyone know if this streamed online live last year, and if it will do it this year?
It's a little tricky to get the aul RTE in Tokyo

I think you can stream it live at http://www.rte.ie/live/ Worldwide, but I'm not certain.

emeraldstar

Skid wrote: »

I think you can stream it live at http://www.rte.ie/live/ Worldwide, but I'm not certain.

Yep, you can.

vix8

Sorry I just don't get the Toy Show.

It's just one massive advertorial. It would be illegal to show something like that in the UK!

lertsnim

vix8 wrote: »

Sorry I just don't get the Toy Show.

It's just one massive advertorial. It would be illegal to show something like that in the UK!

No it wouldn't. Product placement is now allowed in the UK.

vix8

On the BBC??! What do we pay the licence fee for? I thought it was for public service broadcasting not a shopping channel?!

jaykay74

vix8 wrote: »

On the BBC??! What do we pay the licence fee for? I thought it was for public service broadcasting not a shopping channel?!

You said "It would be illegal to show something like that in the UK!"

No mention of BBC. Seems like you have shifted the goalposts.

Product placement is allowed in the UK contrary to your original point.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12593061