CEO and Founder Graham Wallington
One of our missions here at WildEarth is to remain connected and present with our viewers.
We have developed an especially remarkable bond with our Explorers, our most avid supporters and watchers. Whether you have been an Explorer for numerous years or just recently discovered the club, there is something special about sharing live moments in nature. It cannot but connect us to one another.  The entire team, from the crew in our locations to our production team in Johannesburg, know that our channel would not be what it is today without the viewers and more so, the Explorers supporting us. We work around the clock to make the magic happen and our Explorers are there every step of the way, reading, watching and engaging with all the content we love to create for you.
Recently we have been lucky enough to gain more viewers.
However, with more viewers comes far more comments and suggestions, which we simply cannot process. Your feedback matters to us. We want to read each query email or qualm with the programme sent in so that we can shape the show into the best version possible but this proves a tricky endeavour. As a result of the influx, we have decided that the best way to still receive viewer feedback and suggestions is to ask those who understand the channel best. The watchers who engage with our content the most and have been most involved to know where our weaknesses lie. For this reason, we are setting aside time for our Explorers to interact and hear directly from our CEO and founder, the man with the plan that keeps this ship steered straight, Graham Wallington. From now on we are hosting a monthly Town Hall with Graham to remain as connected to as many informed watchers as possible.
Graham at our last Town Hall
“WildEarth is a dream of mine that has come to reality. I know our channel would not be where it is today without you, our supporters watching us grow and develop every step of the way. Your insights are invaluable to us. Join our Town Hall and raise your comments to me so that we may improve WildEarth and make it an even better experience for you.” – Graham WallingtonÂ
Join us on the 11th of September at 8:00 PM CAT for another Town Hall with Graham.
This Town Hall is open to our Explorers Club. We want to hear about your experience with us thus far, gather your feedback on what we produce and ascertain what is and isn’t working. What’s more, Graham is dedicating a portion of the Town Hall to announce upcoming ventures and his vision and provide valuable insights into the inner workings of our programme. Come along to hear these updates and catch up on what is yet to come. And remember, if you aren’t an Explorer, you can sign up to be able to tune in, ask Graham your questions, send in your comments and have him respond to you live during the Town Hall.Â
See you there!
I have logged in as I am an Explorer. I am unable to find/watch the 11 September 2022 Town hall meeting with Graham. What is the link, I get the page saying that the downhill is coming up, but today is the 16th of September and I can’t find it. Please help.
Thanks.
I’m a explorer, from Canada, as i’m not able to watch live… is there a way to watch the townhalls on my own time like we can with the safari’s or fireside chats?
I took the time to read, absorb and consider this announcement. I commented in a way that while critical, was expressed civilly, without any personal attacks. My opinion has not appeared in the comments section. For the present time I am an Explorer. I can only conclude that my feedback doesn’t in fact matter.
I’ve watched WE for many years now and when you had severe financial problem I donated hundreds of dollars. I’m not an explorer and am shocked now that you are limiting your twin halls to only explorers. You are carrying this thirst for money too far by not allowing all viewers to hear your visions,, needs and plans. What a shame that you have chosen to silence your voice to all others except explorers. Not the Graham I’ve known and admired for years. $72 for me to spend annually is too much. This saddens me greatly SafariLive / WildEarth was my joy each day. The joy and knowledge WE has given me is unmeasurable.
I’ll be blunt, the Townhall Meeting needs to be open for everyone. I will explain.
“One of our missions here at WildEarth is to remain connected and present with our viewers.”
This needs to mean all viewers, not just Explorers. Many long term viewers such as myself (I’ve been watching since the static picture days from 1998 — and remember the Djuma SafariCam, and the LeopardCam), who have been faithful viewers, feel our voices and concerns don’t matter (and some newer viewers feel the same as well) to the company. Some of us aren’t in the position to be an Explorer. Some are on a pension, some have lost jobs, others aren’t paid high paying jobs where we can donate whatever a month, when that money needs to be used for things such as vet bills, groceries, electricity etc. Some viewers were also Foundation supporters and they too feel like they have been left in the dust.
Opening the Town Halls to everyone is a display of an open, transparent business that people would be more willing to get behind support. Keeping such important matters as Town Hall Meetings closed to a select few and leaving everyone else in the dark, gives the impression that WildEarth is becoming a club for those that can afford it. This could also potentially create a split and nobody wants that?
Please reconsider.
Sincerely,
Meaghan Edwards
Viewer from all things Djuama since 1998
Ditto
Been a daily viewer since the beginning of 2016. My life circumstances do not afford me to be an ” Explorer.” From what I’ve just read I’m not valued as a viewer. by Wild Earth. That’s saddens me. When you were down an out I was there doing whatever I could do to contribute to keep WE a float. My prayers have always been radiated to you. There is something out of balance. What’s happened to the integrity of your proclaimed purpose?? Town halls just for ” Explorers” with this you’ve conveyed to me you actually don’t value me as long time viewer and supporter in the ways I can. The word integrity comes to mind.in communicating with ALL your viewers.
Just thought to give you some sincere feedback……although you’ve made it clear……..if I’m not an Exploer you don’t care about my iperspective. Not the WE I had come to love. Although the animals maintain my devotion.
Thank you
Well said.
I so agree with you Yugen.ll
Wildearth, isn’t even “entertainment” its a wealth of a fully educational experience. I didn’t realize Penguins lived there!
“Whether you have been an Explorer for numerous years”…
The Explorers programme has not existed for ‘numerous years’. It is your most recent fundraising method. Trying to style it as a club really stretches the definition. WE obviously needs revenue to operate but I wish that you would be frank about asking for financial support rather than putting PR spin on it and promising more than you can deliver.
The Q&A portion of townhalls is always chaotic, with only a handful of questions addressed. I don’t see how that will be different with an Explorers-only audience, especially if you are saying that it will be the only way to give feedback and seek answers.
While I have been an Explorer for a few months, with a shred of hope that things will improve, I am doubtful. The Mara component has been particularly disappointing, as has the effect of the official question box. My viewing is decreasing as is what used to be my degree of caring and ‘FOMO’. The times when WE gives me joy are no longer frequent. I don’t believe that I am alone among long-standing viewers.