Happy Birthday
Entertainment News and Features
Entertainment Web Guides
Reality Shows Buoy Network Ratings
by
findingDulcinea Staff
As the writers strike continues, major television networks replace primetime dramas and comedies with cheap, easy-to-produce reality programming. The ratings suggest it is all the same to the audience.
30-Second Summary
The Writers Guild of America has been on strike for more than two months. Networks have seen their stores of primetime scripts dry up, and their most popular shows slide into an indefinite period of reruns.
But according to Variety’s Josef Adalian, “Reality shows are doing as well as or better than the scripted shows they've replaced.”
That could be a problem for the WGA. Not only is reality programming cheaper to produce than scripted shows, but New York Times writer Bill Carter reports that NBC’s “‘American Gladiators’ has the look of an out-of-the-gate hit, something no new scripted show this season has been able to claim.”
Jousting bodybuilders are not the only things distracting viewers from a dearth of network programming.
According to the International Herald Tribune’s David Carr, the excitement of the election season is also undercutting the WGA’s cause.
“The primary season is serving as the backdrop for one of the most compelling runs of event television in years, creating the kind of chatter network marketers would kill for and spectacular ratings for cable news," writes Carr.
The Golden Globes was reduced to a press conference, and the Academy Awards may face a similar fate. Yet, the stability of network ratings could defeat the union writers.
Nonetheless, writers have seen progress. The WGA has struck interim deals with independent movie studios Weinstein Co. and United Artists Film, and David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants production company has also hashed out a temporary deal with the union.
But according to Variety’s Josef Adalian, “Reality shows are doing as well as or better than the scripted shows they've replaced.”
That could be a problem for the WGA. Not only is reality programming cheaper to produce than scripted shows, but New York Times writer Bill Carter reports that NBC’s “‘American Gladiators’ has the look of an out-of-the-gate hit, something no new scripted show this season has been able to claim.”
Jousting bodybuilders are not the only things distracting viewers from a dearth of network programming.
According to the International Herald Tribune’s David Carr, the excitement of the election season is also undercutting the WGA’s cause.
“The primary season is serving as the backdrop for one of the most compelling runs of event television in years, creating the kind of chatter network marketers would kill for and spectacular ratings for cable news," writes Carr.
The Golden Globes was reduced to a press conference, and the Academy Awards may face a similar fate. Yet, the stability of network ratings could defeat the union writers.
Nonetheless, writers have seen progress. The WGA has struck interim deals with independent movie studios Weinstein Co. and United Artists Film, and David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants production company has also hashed out a temporary deal with the union.
Headline Links: Reality series work against writers
New York Times writer Bill Carter points out that in addition to the initial success of “American Gladiator,” “other, established reality series, including NBC’s 'The Biggest Loser' and 'The Apprentice,' and ABC’s 'Supernanny' and 'Wife Swap,' have returned to the air impressively. Other nonscripted programs, like ABC’s new 'Dance Wars,' have performed as well or better than the scripted shows they replaced.”
Source: The New York Times
In a Variety article titled “’Tonight Show’ Tops in Ratings Race,” Josef Adalian writes that in a few months networks will completely run out of scripted material, “which means reality shows could begin cannibalizing each other—or that viewers will get sick of all reality, all the time.” Adalian goes on to consider how the potential success of these reality shows may affect programming after the strike: “If nets discover they can do well with mostly nonscripted skeds, some execs predict it will lead to fewer hours of scripted shows when the strike is over."
Source: Variety
Background: ‘The Golden Globes: Who Cares?’
Time magazine writer Richard Corliss ponders whether the Academy Awards will be met with the same indifference as the Golden Globes: “There was no star wattage; the announcers on the channels I watched all sank into a sea of blandness and blondness. As for hints of Oscar triumphs and upsets ... honestly, does it matter? It's my job to care, and I don't. Movie audiences may feel similarly indifferent toward the Feb. 24 Oscar show—and not just because, if the strike lasts, it too will be hobbled.”
Source: Time
Reactions: Writers cut deals with investors and studios
Internet technology news Web site NewTeeVee.com reports that a group of WGA writers have begun work to start their own production and distribution company called Visual Artists. Writer Aaron Medelsohn, who is spearheading early negotiations with Silicon Valley venture capitalists, told NewTeeVee.com that he plans to raise “north of $30 million.”
Source: NewTeeVee.com
On Jan. 11, 2008, the WGA reached an interim deal with independent movie studio Weinstein Co. The deal followed similar arrangements with the United Artists movie studio and David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants Productions.
Source: Multichannel News
Opinion & Analysis: Primaries are the best show in town
According to International Herald Tribune writer David Carr, the primary elections would be the best thing on television even if there were no strike. “The primary season is serving as the backdrop for one of the most compelling runs of event television in years … When's "Grey's Anatomy" coming back? Who cares?” Carr writes. “History hangs near … and the narrative has delivered a surprise around every bend.”
Source: International Herald Tribune
Related Topics: The strike’s collateral damage
British newspaper The Guardian writes that the bare-bones version of the Golden Globes ceremony cost “caterers, hairdressers, hotels, jewelers, limousine firms, party planners, stylists and other support workers” an estimated $70-80 million. If the strike were to similarly strip down the Academy Awards, it could cost the city of Los Angeles upwards of $130 million.
Source: The Guardian
Financial Times fashion writer Vanessa Friedman bemoans the revenue losses incurred by the fashion houses that use the red carpet to publicize their newest designs. “Red carpet dressing is now a standard part of most fashion labels’ marketing plans and serious amounts are invested in the courting of actors and the gifting of clothes,” Friedman writes. “With the disappearance of profits from the Globes (and possibly the Oscars, scheduled for February 24) … fashion houses may have to rethink one of the foundations of their communications strategy.”
Source: Financial Times
Most Recent Beyond The Headlines
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
