October 17, 2007
Is cable programming killing network TV?

Here's an interesting theory:


The five broadcast networks have launched a good many of their series, and ratings have been lackluster and buzz virtually nonexistent. Where's the excitement for the fall TV season? What's the matter with you people?

Oh, it's the shows. It's always the shows.

The quality has either leveled off into mediocrity or taken a fateful dip, and the buzz that was barely there to begin with has all but vanished.

This has made it easier for viewers to skip the new network shows because there is nothing of exceptional merit in there, save for a handful of series that have been spotty in their ability to earn across-the-board praise and ratings.

Conventional wisdom suggests that this has been and continues to be a weak slate of freshman series. Ratings are down for a lot of shows, even some that are returning with faithful audiences. Why? Nobody truly knows.

But here's a theory: Better cable series that raise the proverbial bar are multiplying -- and that bar raising leaves viewers less than enthralled, not only with freshman series, but sophomores, juniors and seniors as well.

Here's what hurts broadcast networks the most: People have a magic number of shows they love and watch loyally. Nobody really knows what that magic number is, but people who make television for a living suggest that it's less than 10, probably closer to six. What if those six are on cable? That leaves fewer slots for the networks to fill.

It's a fascinating concept. Because it's based on quality. And guess what cable is best at? Yep.


I'm watching two new shows this fall - "Bionic Woman 2.0", which I'm liking more and more, and "Pushing Daisies", which even Tiffany is watching. They're two of the best performers among the newbies, as it happens. I have a season pass for one thing on cable right now ("Little People, Big World"), though if I were springing for Showtime, I'd probably be watching "Weeds" and "Dexter" (I'll content myself with the books for the latter). What are you watching these days?

Posted by Charles Kuffner on October 17, 2007 to TV and movies
Comments

I'm not a big TV watcher, but the DVR grabs 60 Minutes, House, and Ugly Betty for me each week. We're watching Rome (the HBO series) on DVR now. I watched Big Love when a new season was running. And of course when Battlestar Galactica comes back I'll watch that.

But that's it. I don't watch much TV, but when I do, I'm stunned by just how bad it is. iTunes had a free download of the pilot of "Aliens in America," which got good buzz, so I watched it - and while it wasn't "rip out your eyes" bad, it was bad. This is what gets great reviews?

I find myself mystified as to why people would choose to spend a half hour watching these things versus, say, listening to music, reading a book, reading a magazine, or playing with their kids or pets. Or taking a nap.

Posted by: John on October 17, 2007 7:20 AM

I DVR sports (almost always an ESPN network), Scrubs, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and maybe the odd Iron Chef America or No Reservations. All of that is cable programming. I rarely watch anything live except news and CNBC. The only thing I do watch on network TV from time to time is House, which is just great.

As a side note, while the ratings for broadcast network programming here is down, the wife and I just got back from Australia where at least half of the prime time shows are fresh from the states. They were showing House, Life, Brothers and Sisters, Grey's Anatomy, K-Ville, Desperate Housewives, etc. along with familiar Australian formats of Australian Idol, Dancing with the Stars and Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader?

Posted by: Patrick on October 17, 2007 8:21 AM

The Office is a must watch for me. I'm somehow addicted to How I Met Your Mother on CBS. I'm tryin very hard to like Chuck, but I think the one hour format is too long for the concept. I used to be a loyal Weeds watcher, but now I usually just wait until I have a free Saturday and catch up with Showtime On Demand.
The actors on Big Bang Theory are pretty funny, but the concept is tired.
Other than that, I try and catch House every week.
I do have to say that some of the cable networks have rolled out some great summer shows. I watch the Closer (TNT) and My Boys (TBS) religiously.

Posted by: dukakis_in_a_tank on October 17, 2007 8:30 AM

Stuff I know I'll like:

This Old House/Ask This Old House

NCIS

House, MD.

Eureka.

Life.

Tyler's Ultimate,
Emeril Live,
Good Eats,
Barefoot Contessa

Stuff that's usually good:
Law & Order SVU
CSI,
Without a Trace,
CSI Miami

Stuff I might look at sometimes:

CSI New York
Stargate Atlantis
Cold Case


Stuff you can't pay me to watch:
pretty much everything else

Posted by: The_Other_Sarah on October 17, 2007 6:04 PM

Oh, I don't know. Just:


The Biggest Bang

Journeyman

Boston Legal

Back To You

My Name Is Earl

The Office

Scrubs (once it starts up)

The Simpsons

Family Guy

There are others.

Posted by: Justin on October 18, 2007 12:53 AM