Tristan Rogers Message Board

The following excerpt is from today's WSJ

Even after adding in delayed viewing by people using digital video recorders, the audience for programs on broadcast TV is getting smaller again this season, the Wall Street Journal reports. Prime time viewership on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and the CW is down 6.6% the paper says. "The hard truth is that we are in a hugely fractionalized environment, which continues to become more fractionalized," Alan Wurtzel, president of research at General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal, tells the Journal. Meanwhile, only two new shows on the broadcast networks can be considered hits, USA Today says. The shows are CBS' "The Mentalist" and Fox's "Fringe."

I can imagine this was also the case for radio in the fifties as more and more people shifted from radio to television. Interestingly enough when we went from radio to television the whole thing condensed because it went from multiple radio channels to three television networks. The reverse of that is now happening and the advertisers and creatives are going to need to find a new model. Yes, Betty "Freaking" Crocker is going to need to find programing to target me.

Okay so the network television viewing audience is down 6.6%. What I want to know is how many of those people have simply migrated to the web? All of the network shows (except for my gosh darn soap) are available on the web. Have these shows really lost that many viewers or are they just viewing it elsewhere? That's the piece I can't figure out when I see numbers like this.

And wasn't it the president NBC that about six months ago gave network television two years? These numbers don't surprise me. What does surprises me is that none of the networks have developed a soap experience that is conceptually different than the television experience. I think Dirty Sex Money might be getting close but I have to go investigate again.

Actually, the audience they refer to is "broadcast" TV. The viewers, like you, are most likely migrating to Discovery, Food Network, Lifetime, WE, Oxygen, and, yes, SoapNet! I have said way in the past that broadcast television is dead for dramas and not too healthy for sitcoms either. Why, because cable does it better! Look around. Cable takes chances whereas network TV subscribes to the FCC and pays attention to every nutcase group with a cause in the country-conservative or liberal. How can you do anything creative when you are ruled by the most uncreative groups in the country? What DOES work are the presentational shows such as Idol, Dancing with the Stars, America's Got Talent, Survivor. For every Lost or Desperate Housewives, you have 15 failed dramas. That ratio in cable is 1:3. Big difference.

Look at Heroes this year (losing steam fast), Pushing Daisies(the toast of last season is quickly turning into just...toast). I'm just naming a couple. All the big shows are down this year. Now look at cable. Quality, great storytelling, great casting. Why the difference? Because cable is allowed the time to develop great shows that has all these elements. They don't subscribe to the September launch. They are allowed many reruns. They don't have government interference. And the special interest groups have no power (yet) in fighting cable because their argument is that they don't want this smut in their homes. Well, with cable, you don't have to! Problem solved. Unfortunately, there's guys like Alaska's Sen. Ted Stevens who has been waging a one person war against what you see in your home (if you live in the US)-even on cable and PAY cable such as HBO. I found it ironic that this bastion of morality is now facing federal charges of corruption himself and will probably end up paying a hefty fine, losing his position, or doing time. And for the record, I am a registered Republican. But right is right and wrong is always wrong regardless of your affiliation.

Breaking News!!!
WASHINGTON – Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted of seven corruption charges Monday in a trial that tainted the 40-year Senate career of Alaska's political patriarch. Stevens, 84, was convicted of all seven charges he faced of lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from a wealthy oil contractor. Jurors began deliberating Wednesday at noon. Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count when he is sentenced Jan. 26, but under federal sentencing guidelines, he is likely to receive much less prison time, if any

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And one more story just out today echoing my thoughts of cable TV versus broadcast TV...

A&E Network said it has picked up a second season of original drama "The Cleaner" starring Benjamin Bratt.

"The Cleaner" is the network's first scripted series in six years. Production on season two's 13 episodes is scheduled to start soon and begin airing next year.

"'The Cleaner' has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first season," said Bob DeBitetto, president of A&E. "Its authentic, dramatic storytelling, combined with superb acting, led by an exceptional performance by Benjamin Bratt, has struck a chord with A&E viewers. It is exactly the sort of high-quality, engaging programming that our fans have come to expect."

"You can be free or you can be safe." Probably the best lessons I walked away with from a children's book. Yes I'd say networks are having grave difficulties because the FCC is trying to keep everyone safe.

As for shady politicians... Louisiana was the best! When we lived there someone, I think it was the governor, got convicted of a felony but didn't resign. I don't remember all the details I do remember laughing about it a lot.

(10-27-2008 01:15 PM)Jim Wrote: [ -> ]Breaking News!!!
WASHINGTON – Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted of seven corruption charges Monday in a trial that tainted the 40-year Senate career of Alaska's political patriarch. Stevens, 84, was convicted of all seven charges he faced of lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from a wealthy oil contractor. Jurors began deliberating Wednesday at noon. Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count when he is sentenced Jan. 26, but under federal sentencing guidelines, he is likely to receive much less prison time, if any

---

And one more story just out today echoing my thoughts of cable TV versus broadcast TV...

A&E Network said it has picked up a second season of original drama "The Cleaner" starring Benjamin Bratt.

"The Cleaner" is the network's first scripted series in six years. Production on season two's 13 episodes is scheduled to start soon and begin airing next year.

"'The Cleaner' has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first season," said Bob DeBitetto, president of A&E. "Its authentic, dramatic storytelling, combined with superb acting, led by an exceptional performance by Benjamin Bratt, has struck a chord with A&E viewers. It is exactly the sort of high-quality, engaging programming that our fans have come to expect."

Cable TV kicks Broadcast TV's azz. I can't name ONE broadcast TV show I'm enjoying now. Not even one. I liked The Cleaner, so I'm glad they renewed it. Plus, cable TV usually launches a show with a set number of seasons in mind, unlike broadcast, where most shows are pulled before they even stand a chance of building an audience. Anyone out there really engrossed in a broadcast series at the moment? I can't even get a broadcast recommendation from the friends and family. We all love Army Wives on Lifetime, though. And The Closer. Frickin love that one.

I love House and Bones. Those are my network favs.

Yes, both good shows, House especially, but both losing viewers this season.

(10-29-2008 01:11 PM)Jim Wrote: [ -> ]Yes, both good shows, House especially, but both losing viewers this season.

That's too bad. I would hope that their ratings are still good enough to stay put.

(10-29-2008 04:18 PM)Kim Wrote: [ -> ]

(10-29-2008 01:11 PM)Jim Wrote: [ -> ]Yes, both good shows, House especially, but both losing viewers this season.

That's too bad. I would hope that their ratings are still good enough to stay put.

Love Houseisms. :-)