This past Sunday, upon my return from a much needed vacation, I found that I had received several communications wondering if TWIS was cancelled. Not understanding where the rumor had started, and a bit confused from my recent sun, surf, and sand infusion, I investigated.
It turns out the rumors are both true and untrue, as rumors will tend to be.
The rumors were probably ignited when the TWIS.org website went down sometime within the past two weeks. I wasn’t aware of the problem until my return, and fixed it as soon as I was able. For those interested, something triggered Apache service on the server to shut off. Simple problem, but a pain since I wasn’t around to fix it.
Then, rumblings began about a week ago about Leo saying that TWIS was cancelled. I spoke with Lisa Kentzell, CEO of TWiT.tv, today about the topic, and was informed that TWiT is restructuring. Part of the restructuring involves no longer supporting 3rd party shows, of which TWIS is one. As many of you already know, TWIS is my program, and actually predates TWiT by several years. Technically, TWiT cannot cancel TWIS. They can, however, remove it from their schedule… which they have done.
So, what does this news mean for TWIS and all of you minions? The answer is that I don’t really know yet. I am considering options for continuing to broadcast TWIS on my own. Google+ offers a possible platform through which TWIS might easily and seamlessly continue. Alternatively, I might consider other platforms like Justin.tv and UStream.tv. I have Wirecast and can use it. We might think about moving to another network. Or, there is always the possibility that this signals the end for TWIS.
I have made no decisions yet, and would love your feedback and advice. TWIS is nothing without you! Whatever we do, I want it to be the best decision for the entire community.
For the time being, TWIS will continue to air on TWiT.tv on Thursday evenings at 7:30pm PT. We will probably do our last show on the TWiT network within the month of July. You will be kept in the loop, so expect to hear more from me here and on all the social networks where we have a presence.
TWiT has been an amazing home for TWIS over the past couple of years. The entire team at TWiT has been supportive and helpful in ways that can’t ever be quantified or, for that matter, paid back properly. I want to thank Leo for giving us a place in TWiT.tv’s lineup for so long, and everyone else for the hours of work that went in to making the show happen (especially our trainee engineers ;). From the bottom of my heart, I wish the very best to TWiT.
–Kirsten
aka. Dr. Kiki
I'm the host of this little science show. 
Pleasec don’t let it stop you from making TWIS I’ve been listening on podcast since way before TWIT and want to listen to TWIS every week for the rest of my life. It’s my aall-time fave podcast and has been for years now. Whatever you do, hi-fi or lo-fi, video or no video, live or recorded, I’ll be eagerly checking for new episodes every week from day 4-5 on… Video was nice for a while, I very much enjoyed watching the few times I was up early enough in my timezone to watch (thanx for the anouncements on Facebook leading me there in time!), but it is not at all a nessecary feature. It always has been and still is primarily a radio-show. An incredible radioshow that few networks would have the courage to spend an hout of their buisy bizzy schedules on,so viva los podcastos! If there would be any chance of you and Justin getting back together in one studio for recording it would be da bomb, I’ve found from the separation on it has lost a bit in its direct interaction, although after a few episodes adjusting you got back to almost the same togetherness, the communication between you’s two was best when you could still kick him in the shins… Justin got caught once after the lifebroadcast for over an hour just talking away being questioned by the chatboard and the engineers. His stories about his first years at TWIS and how he got the job were utterly enjoyable!
Anyway. I could go on and on and on, but it all comes down to: I LOVE you guys, TWIS is YOU and JUSTIN (and have I mentioned Blair’s a treasure? I HOPE you can keep her around as well, please!), and no media- station- or whatever change can bring that down.
I want my TWIS. I dearly hope you want it too.
No!!!
This can’t happen!
I only discovered you guys a week ago (due to finally finding a podcast app on my Blackberry that works in the UK, and browsing around and finding you!)
My app downloaded the last 6 months+ of casts and I am slowly working my way though them (8 down 25 to go….)
Loving the show!
Thought from me….
Really echoing some of those above… maybe go audio only/Podcasts only? (being in the UK I’m asleep when you guys stream live – and I don’t have any figures but I’d imagine only a third (max) of you audience is able to watch the live stream????)
Really hope you find a way to continue… loving the show, such a good round up of sciencey news that’s not just the popular headline grabbing sensationalist stories that hit the media!
Spreading the word amongst friends and colleagues over hear,
A
Wow! Bad news! I hope you guys can keep the show running. I will say that I’ve never heard of TWiT, I catch the show after the fact via Itunes, so obviously, that’s a viable channel to keep the show going!
I am sorry to hear about your problems. Do you still have the radio show in Davis? If you do you can post a podcast of the show. If you do please post it immediaely after you do it.Otherwise it becomes outdated. Best of wishes. Stan
Please find a solution. It can’t happen like that – we need the show.
Please, please find another provider! I so appreciate the show – it is amazing.
Oh no! TWiS is one of my favorite podcasts and my wife and I have been listening to you for years! We never watched the videos but it’s been a weekly treat to catch up with the podcast via iTunes over the weekend. Hoping you can continue in audio – I love the format and the show is a real highlight of the week. Donating in hopes you will continue!
I have been an avid listener for years, and love the relationship you have with Justin.You are a hell of a team. Please continue!
Hi Kiki, Justin and Blair,
I first started to watch on TWIT, and will continue to watch when you go elsewhere. I think that going to another network is a bad idea, you could end up in the same situation.
I also believe that charging is a sure way to kill the show. I have seen it tried to many times and almost all of the shows died or nearly died. This is even more so now that so many people are just barely making it if they even are making it, with the economy the way it is.
The Google hang out is not a bad idea. I usually watch live, and will continue to do so, if it continues to be at night here on the east coast. If you put it out on Ustream or Justin I will watch. I am not sure of any other choices, but I will try them!
I hope to find out what you are doing soon! Good Luck and Good Science.
Hi,
Dr. Kiki, I think the show should continue. It is not impossible to run it through Ustream or any service that you may have mentioned that can stream video. The chat element is something that is easily resolved, although, since this show predates TWiT, I do not know if you already have the solution: irc on freenode and starting a TWiS channel. If the need for moderators is needed an APB can be sent out. I do like the live element, and hope that can remain. Either which way, I will continue to be part of the audience.
Its thanks to twit that i was about to discover twis so i would be rather sad if you stopped doing the show as its really my only source of Science News in English lol plus it always helps to have you explain some of the larger terms
What ever form you pick for the future of This Week in Science be it on Ustream JTV and if need be Google+
Oh, by Newton’s apple, don’t stop!
Please don’t stop!
I only listen to the podcast, being far from my native San Diego, but I know the radio show aspect is important to you and Justin.
Do what you can, do what you must, but please stay on the air… Remember, it’s the only way to hear your show from off planet!
-Brad
I’d like to see this show continue, I wasn’t aware that TWiS depended on TWiT and so I thought only Dr. Kiki Science Hour was cancelled. I greatly appreciate the work you’ve done on both shows and it would be great to have TWIS up and running again.
“Best of luck and good science to you”
Dr Kirsten Sanford
Thank you for the Week in Science – You would be very surprised to find that the BBC in the UK has cut its Science output in the last six months – Radio wise
It’s great to listen to an informed conversation between two or more? scientists that’s not dumbed down to make it accessible – If possible, can we have one last TWIS re the Higgs Boson – That would be a gem of a show
Thank you for all your work in popularising Science from the inside out.
Mike in Cambridge.
Kirsten,
I love this show. Please don’t be discouraged. You and Justin are a great pair. Stick with that.
Scott S
Please, I need your show! I am a Biology teacher at an University and I have some of my students listen to your programs as fun assignments (especially my non-majors). There needs to programs like yours. I listen through my iTunes. I need real science in a FUN format. You make my day!
Debbie Borgen
Midland, TX
I have been following your shows via TWIT.tv. I hope very much that you will continue in an accessible format.
I find Dr. Kiki to be a great presenter and her shows fill a much need void.
As a consumer, I would appreciate an expanded version of TWIS. I realize that this is a lot of work to prepare.
As far as “Science Hour” is concerned. Perhaps 60 minutes is a bit longer than the attention span of many. Writing for myself, I would like more structured presentations from your guests rather than the interview format.
I have not seen the audience numbers for your shows, however, the commercial reality is that a certain critical mass is necessary for them to be supported by entities like TWIT. Some of the platforms like USTREAM seem to inject ads at random intervals which I find wrecks the viewing experience.
I would prefer the option of a pay per view portal.
I love this show, been listening since I was a grad student in Biology. I’m in Canada and I’ve only ever listened to the podcasts, so as long as you keep putting those out, I’ll keep listening and loving!
I listen to a LOT of sci. streams, and TWIS is my ONE MUST-HAVE. When I switch platforms, your show is ALWAYS the first I seek out and subscribe to. Can’t count the number of amazing research projects/articles I’ve heard about on this show first! You guys always keep me up to date!
Hope this all works out for you.
Your show is great! I listen at work every week there’s an episode. I hope that you find a way to continue your good work. Or, asking all of us, pleading if necessary, to help in any way we can to support the show and keep things going. I’m certain that this awesome show will continue (one way or another)… Thanks for the work so far!
Cheers!
Mykael David Lazzeri BSN BFA MTA
“We see what our knowledge tells us we see.”
-James Burke
Although saddened by the news that TWiT would no longer carry TWiS, I understand their business decision. This being said, I am ready to pay to be able to continue viewing TWiS. Now my demographics are probably outside of the Bell curve for this show, I do appreciate the way you and your team present science.It’s a change to the often sterile atmosphere surrounding science 😉
A great show. One that will not be replicated on the big tv network. Carl Sagan would be proud of you guys.
Don’t you dare give up now. See this as the opportunity it is as become more resiliant. Whatever happens it was great. Now make it even greater.
Victoria. Bc
Hello Kirsten and Justin and the rest of staff including the baby. I love your shows and at work I listen to them every week. I loved the hour of science, and I especally love Justin’s music. I wanted to hear more about bubbles, but everything you talk about is relevant and interesting, so keep up the good work and let us know when you can be on the air more often. I get you through an apple app from the itune store. I am a 70 year old custodian and need something to think about besides my old body and the exercise it is getting each night. I have been a Science Science Fiction fan for years and it is nice to get the science in a way I understand it without the time of a story. Thank-you
But your shows are so awesome! Please don’t let this happen, guys. Isn’t there something that we, as your fans, can do?
Don’t give up, guys! If you make it over this, you’ll shine more than ever!
I agree that your shows are awesome.please make sure they will continue.thanks you!a big fan
Yes,we can do something.We can pray that the shows will broadcast forever,because they are fabulous.Keep us posted please!
If you guys stop I will no longer seem interesting to strangers. “Did you know?”
Piggy back with Star talk, you just gotta be ready for Neil!
Please don’t let this happen!Your shows are extraordinary!Please keep us posted!Thanks!
dont do it…. the best show ever. I love the way you guys react together and the current topics are always interesting, and an inspiration to many young minds over the glode.
from Scotland
Dougie x
Definitely getting worried here – no podcasts on iTunes since February. I’ve heard of Spring Break but this 6 week hiatus may be taking it a bit too far. Please don’t stop, you are the best, and also the wackiest.
There’s several busy people working at it. Meanwhile show your support, donate or buy something from Zazzle.
It’s sad your TV show Kiki cancellation. Maybe g+ hangout will be usefull for your mission.
Greeting for both of You especially for Pipi sorry for Kiki 🙂 <3
I just donated $25 in hopes to keep the show going. Keep up the science!!!!!! This podcast is the very one that put me down the road in helping promoting science in general.
How about talking to Dan Benjamin at 5by5