It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.

Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.

Thank you.

 

Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.

 

When will the networks learn?

page: 1
2

log in

join
share:

posted on May, 17 2011 @ 04:11 PM
link   
So, in at least a few examples, we see the networks hype a big show, then show only a few episodes, then a long hiatus to completely LOSE any momentum the show ever had, to then come back to diminished ratings, and an inevitable death (V, The Event, for example).

What the heck guys? Really? At least Fringe survived, but barely...and lets face it, Friday night isn't exactly a coveted spot. Why debut a new show only to then kill it before it finds an audience. Then, they wonder why it tapered off after the hiatus..... Really?

After seeing some of the lame offerings coming soon to a TV near you....I have to think someone is playing a joke (Wilfred? A guy in a dog costume? Really?)



posted on May, 17 2011 @ 04:20 PM
link   
Hopefully 'The Walking Dead' doesn't have the same fate



posted on May, 17 2011 @ 04:31 PM
link   
reply to post by Gazrok
 


I got really into Happy Town and couldn't wait for episodes to come back. As far as I know (and that's not very much
) they haven't done anything with it.

I wish someone would sit down with a TV exec. that makes all these decisions and get some answers to why so many seemingly popular shows get the axe.

I remember when Fox cut out Family Guy. It became a HUGE thing on other networks so they brought it back. I wish they would have done that with Firefly >.



posted on May, 17 2011 @ 06:51 PM
link   
reply to post by Gazrok
 


I was following the "Event" but the network would always started skipping weeks when the next episode would air. I eventually lost track and started watching the episodes on the internet. It seems like they expect to have everyone on board within the first two episodes.



posted on May, 17 2011 @ 09:16 PM
link   
I'm beginning to think sponsors have a lot more to do with a programs longevity than ratings do. If a group of sponsors like the way a story is going, and continue to get the time slots they want, they stay with it. But if they don't like a story line, and withdraw their commercials. The show gets the axe if no others buy those time slots. I've also read that some sponsors want input on story lines. Something else that can kill a program fast, no doubt.

I also wonder at times if all they had was one or two seasons to begin with, and they just hyped it to get viewers. Then on to the next short story or series.



posted on May, 18 2011 @ 02:00 PM
link   
reply to post by Klassified
 


You may be on to something there...like the product placement of Fords in recent Fringe episodes...LOL, some were downright in your face!

Oh, and Happytown was axed. I know the Chiller channel was showing the episodes again. Another example of a decent show killed just when it was getting its mojo.....



posted on May, 18 2011 @ 03:03 PM
link   
Gazrok,

the networks don't always plan on those long hiatuses. Most times, the show doesn't perform and, rather than lose advertisers and the viewership drops, they try something new to pick up the slack.

Some shows go on a small hiatus and are then interrupted for things that were either a possibility (sports events) or a complete surprise (pre-empted shows courtesy the US Gov't).

Some show, however, aren't even given the opportunity to find an audience. Paul Reiser's show lasted 2 weeks and was pulled. They didn't even waste another slot trying to find an audience.

Other shows, like Fringe, they keep moving around because they know there's a loyal fan base, the show gets critical acclaim and they feel that they are better off keeping it on a Friday, where it will still get the same viewership as, say, a Tuesday night, over cancelling outright and upsetting the tv geek crowd.

They know that the bulk of the fringe audience has no life and is home on a Friday night so they move it there. They know that, were they to move the show to Saturday at 10 pm, Sunday at 3 am, wednesday at 2 PM, those same people will be watching it. I think they put start trek reruns on during random times to see what the viewership is like and then they just pop fringe type shows in those slots to appease the geeks.


Yes, I'm kidding about the geek aspect of the viewers. I watch fringe. Of course, I am married, with kids, and have no life whatsoever so they could air the show at any time.


Oh, and by the way, they also know that, thanks to hulu, digital video recording etc, they can air the show any time and still reach an audience. The problem is, a show like fringe is costly to air and, if they can't get sponsorship or some sort, they will probably wind up cancelling it.

This is why the last few episodes of the show had the most ridiculous product placements ever seen on tv (other than when 30 Rock did the snapple show).



posted on May, 18 2011 @ 03:57 PM
link   
reply to post by Crakeur
 



Yes, I'm kidding about the geek aspect of the viewers. I watch fringe. Of course, I am married, with kids, and have no life whatsoever so they could air the show at any time.


Same here, except no kids of my own, but I also have two DVRs, so air day really doesn't matter. I do usually have a life on the weekend though, but Friday is either hit or miss.


Personally, I'd rather deal with in your face product placement than losing shows I actually like. Just sucks that out of the handful of shows I really like, two of them (V and The Event) were cancelled (and they were two of my top 3 favorites, Fringe being the 3rd).

Because of all the recent TV crap (and the fact that every show is either a cop drama (which I'm just way over) or a reality show (only a couple of these are actually entertaining), I'm actually READING more, so maybe that's a good thing. (except that I keep blowing through series and having to buy more books). Good thing a friend owns a bookstore and gives me a sweet discount.



posted on May, 18 2011 @ 04:15 PM
link   
reply to post by Gazrok
 


I had 7 or so episodes of The Event on the dvr. I was waiting for the announcement before committing further. Glad I didn't get too into it.

My wife emailed me an article about show cancellations with serious question:

what the hell are we going to watch now?

they cancelled Lie To Me, which was one hell of a good show. Tim Roth was brilliant.
The Event being cancelled means we didn't waste a ton of time watching the episodes but we were looking forward to it.

The last season of Entourage and Rescue Me are both fast approaching.

The only shows left that we (or I) watch are Parenthood, Glee (she watches, I sit with her), Fringe (she makes me turn it off) and 30 Rock (I watch, she might, if there's nothing else on).

She won't watch Treme. She doesn't watch True Blood or Dexter and I doubt she'll watch the Mystic Art of Erasing All Signs of Death (or whatever they'll call it) when it finally comes on the air.

Hopefully, Grimm will be good. Beyond that, next season looks to be filled with more competition shows which she likes, I hate and a few more singing shows a la glee.

Guess I'll be reading more.



posted on May, 19 2011 @ 03:46 AM
link   
V was never meant to be a regular show. It was supposed to be a "series of mini-series events." They were trying to do something different to drive higher viewing numbers. It obviously back fired.

I wouldn't worry too much about the rash of cop dramas. It is just like the "news magazine" shows of the 1990's or reality shows of the last decade. There is a niche that can be exploited. So, they are going to try to milk it dry.

Also, we have to remember that ad revenues are down across the board for the major networks. If something doesn't catch on quick it has to go. They don't give shows time to develop like they use to. They can't afford it. It sucks for people that get in to shows like Jericho or Flash Forward. However, Survior and DWTS fans probably won't notice.

I think what upsets me is that they are pulling America's Most Wanted. The show has helped in many many ways. Now Fox is just going to put reruns in that time slot.



posted on May, 19 2011 @ 08:49 AM
link   
Funny thing is, I like Survivor and DWTS too. Funny how you picked two of the only three reality shows I watch. The rest are crap. (the third is So You Think You Can Dance).

Survivor - Watched this since day 1. It's a great study on strategy, human relations, survival in the wild, and the challenges are fun to watch.

DWTS - My wife and I used to take ballroom dance lessons, and enjoy seeing stars from our generation doing something different. Granted, I'm usually reading a book through all of the inane crap, or just FF until the actual dance numbers. Plus, hot Russian gals in skimpy outfits = good TV.
Unlike most viewers, I could tell you the dance they are doing just based on the beat of the music (and I can somewhat intelligently judge the dance). In fact, I can usually tell you the exact score each judge will give a contestant.

So You Think You Can Dance - Again, the interest in dance. (and hot gals in skimpy outfits). The dancing is incredible on this show though, it really is. The live show that travels, is even better (haven't missed a one yet). In fact, on the last tour, I was close enough to get Janine's sweat on me.


However, I'm just as likely to watch a documentary on the Discovery or History channel, or shows like Fringe, V, The Event, Big Bang Theory, Warehouse 13, etc. (and yes, I miss LOST terribly). I was a Lostie from day 1 also. Some things you just know are going to be good.

I've always been into True Blood (even read the books), and I'm getting into Game of Thrones

Grim does seem like the only promising one, but we'll see.

Crakeur, Breaking In is pretty good, if you haven't seen this one yet. I think it actually made it and was renewed, but not sure. (EDIT-Nope, it was axed too, dammit!) We just got into this one (and it's pretty decent). Christian Slater is a sadistic boss of a security company. The kid from Reaper is the hacker specialist, Lex from Smallville (though you'd have to look close to tell) is the "face" man, an Olivia Munn look-alike is the "face" gal, and other assorted characters make it an interesting show.

[b[Alcatraz is the latest J.J. Abrams series to be picked up. It's about a bunch of wardens and prisoners who disappeared mysteriously, only to now show up in the modern day. Haven't seen anything really on this, but at least the genre is promising.
edit on 20-5-2011 by Gazrok because: (no reason given)




top topics



 
2

log in

join