Category: Technology Author : Duncan Riley Posted: April 26, 2009
Tags : wiggles, wiggletime
Famed children’s entertainers The Wiggles have relaunched their main web site, but with a new twist: you now have to pay for access.
The new Wiggletime.com site costs AU$7.95 (US$5.70) for a one off monthly pass, AU$7.15 (US$5.12) paid monthly by automatic debit, or AU$79.80 (US$57.16) for a yearly pass. If you’re feeling really generous, you can also pay AU$103.80 (US$74.35) for additional content, with part of your subscription going to UNICEF.
The site does include a range of new features, including games and videos, but also incorporates features previously available for free, such as The Wiggles Fan Club.
Fans naturally aren’t happy, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting one fan leaving the message “I don’t think that people are important any more. Money has taken over. I won’t be using the new one if we are going to have to pay for it. Goodbye everyone. I have already unsubscribed to the Wiggles club so that is it.”
My son has passed the age where he’s a Wiggles Fan (six going on seven) but we were very familiar with the group when he was younger; indeed, besides Crowded House, The Wiggles are the only band I’ve seen in concert on multiple occasions. The old Wiggles website wasn’t great, and looked like (as of a couple of years ago) that it had been designed in 1998. The Wiggles however are a money making machine: go to a concert, or the kids section in your local book shop (at least in Australia), and you’ll see why; there’s never been an Australian group as heavily merchandised as The Wiggles before. That they’d charge for the website is a disgrace, when the website primarily serves to push The Wiggles brand, and more sales of videos and related merchandise. There is a huge variety of other sites online providing activities for kids that don’t charge (including content from companies such as Disney), as many parents with Wiggles obsessed kids will very quickly discover. All this does is alienate fans. Shame Wiggles, shame.
Apr 26, 2009
I have 5 children and support The Wiggles charging for the site. Australia Zoo charges $50 a year for there Fan Club. The economy need people employed and The Wiggles employ people. To the bitter fans I say GROW UP
Apr 26, 2009
The picture: not funny.
I don't really see what the big deal is. I suppose people want them not to charge for anything, right? That way they will go out of business. Websites cost money to run. Employees cost money to pay. Production of cds and dvds cost money. Tours cost money (the venues, transportation, hotels, food, etc). Cast and crew need to be payed. They also, on top of the high costs of what they do, have to support their families while they're away.
Personally, I still support The Wiggles. they produce quality children's music and programming that I am 100% comfortable allowing my daughter to watch and listen to. I will continue to purchase their merchandise when my funds allow it. You don't see people complaining about companies such as Nickelodeon, who are by far one of the worst when it comes to money-grabbing and they don't produce much quality children's programming, it is all about what can be successfully marketed and what will bring in the most money.
The Wiggles Do care about their fans, else they wouldn't continue to produce high-quality, safe material for children.
Get over it.
Apr 26, 2009
I have mixed feelings about the fees. I see both sides of the issue. Truthfully, I don't like paying for websites either, but understand people need paid to keep them running. I really don't think the Wiggles have become greedy. While, my kids are growing out of the Wiggles my husband and I still keep up with them and love their music (silly, right?)It is what it is and thats it. If they were soooo greedy concert tickets would be higher and so would their merchandise. These guys are genuine and anyone who has seen them interact with the public knows that for sure.
Apr 26, 2009
I live in the United States and had never heard of the Wiggles under our Australian sales rep gave a stuffed dinosaur to one of my co-workers, who just happens to be named Dorothy. Whether or not this will work depends upon what the market will bear, but I guess that one could argue that you can see the TV shows for free, so that could be your free content. This particular issue doesn't affect me one way or another, but one can generally say that I will only pay for access to a site under the following conditions:
(1) The site is important to me. (Obviously a Wiggles site is VERY important to some people.)
(2) The site is secure. (I don't want my credit card floating everywhere.)
(3) There are no alternative ways to get the content at a lower price (such as free).
If the Wiggles decide that they can maximize their profit by providing restricted access to a select group, more power to them. But there is the possible negative PR to consider.
Apr 26, 2009
I'm going to switch to Hi5, but wait isn't one of them in a men's magazine. Oh Well, it's back to Sesame Street for little Dexter.
Apr 26, 2009
I am getting real tired of one-sided reports lately. I hate to read articles like this. You could've quoted one of threads from the Wiggles message board like : “Thank you for the great website, my child just loves it” or “Well done Wiggles, Wiggle Time is great!” or one of the many thanks of gratitude. Because there were also many possitive comments like that on the Wiggles message board as well. I don't mind paying for Wiggle time at all! I know that the Wiggles put in alot of time, money and thought into this project to make it educational , fun and entertaining for my child and to me it is very worth it. If the Wiggles have their name on it, I know that it's quality. The Wiggles genuinely care about their fans. I have seen this first hand on the message board. They are not just about the money as you and other reporters are trying to portray them. Go ask any parent of an ill child how much the Wiggles do for their child. I am in the USA and I know how wonderful the Wiggles are and how they generously help children around the world. You are from Australia, so surely you must know how great and generous they are. So why must you post something so on sided about the Wiggles? Let's get the story straight.
Apr 26, 2009
Australia zoo manoey goes towards the animals and the amont of time and effort the zoo puts in to presearve our wildlife has no comparison with a website aimed at children to sell merchadise and to get kids to pester their parents for anything and everything wiggles is money grabbing plain and simple
the wiggles earn enough money as it is and should be giving alot of it back to hospitals and the kids and families that support them
I have no problems paying a small fee but but again , people are saying that if they dont charge the fee they will go broke (get real, the wiggles are always in the top ten of performers in australia) they make millions a year not hundreds
Apr 26, 2009
@Kymba
Grow up? Real mature. I'm going to go on a limb and say that was funnier in your head.
Apr 26, 2009
Sure The Wiggles are great but jeez, give us a break! To quote Sasha “Websites cost money to run. Employees cost money to pay. Production of cds and dvds cost money. Tours cost money (the venues, transportation, hotels, food, etc). Cast and crew need to be payed. They also, on top of the high costs of what they do, have to support their families while they're away.”
Websites aren't that expensive to run, its all their own content anyway, and imagine the sales boost they get from their own site? Production of DVDs and CD? Don't make me laugh, they cost about $1 to make, thats including all the associated costs. Tours are done so they can MAKE more money, they're not cheap to go and see, even American bands tour for less than that ticket price.
The Wiggles made over 50 MILLION bucks last year, and even with so many families suffering in the crisis, they STILL turn around and bite you in the a$$ with these stupid fees. They are the highest earning Australians in the entertainment industry. Its people like these (Wiggles) that sicken me to the very core of my being at their greed-driven cash grabbing schemes.
Apr 27, 2009
hi im Jess and im 13. out of the forty eight million dollars that they earnt is not profit, like any buisness they have employees to pay and concerts to pay for. the profit is split between many people. The wiggles donate to unicef
( i should know i went to their unicef concert of my thirteenth birthday) and sids. i can't beleive that none of you can see what us kids can, the wiggles are all about us! touring costs so much and they tour all over Australia all the time. the money they earn is really the song writer's, guest's, roadie's, unicef's, sid's and all the others. how dare you talk like that about a childrens band don't you have anything else to do than critcize the people that are making a difference in this world. can't you see that this whole thing is just a stupid media stunt becaue they can't think of anything more important to write about. step back and smell the merchandise THE WIGGLES ARE AWESUM!!!!
seriously leave 'em alone.
Apr 27, 2009
@ Amanda you don't understand that its not all profit. as i said before the money goes to so many people and even they are suffering in the crisis. have you even given them the chance? have you even met them? they are sweet people and shouldn't be treated like this! unlike Hi5 the wiggly dancers get paid through the money the Wiggles earn. love the lil 13 that actually understands!
Apr 27, 2009
Disgraceful…..charging for the Wiggles message board. The Wiggles suck without Greg anyway. So glad Greg isn't around to be blamed for this fiasco. Want to blame someone….look to Paul and Anthony Fields. Shame on jeff and Murray for going along with it.
Apr 28, 2009
are you NUTS? the messege board is FREE Anthony is HOT and you SUCK!
Apr 28, 2009
More websites SHOULD charge for content! Good on you Wiggles…well done.