Future of Commercial TV

As Video on Demand becomes the norm, you may also lose the concept of prime time. You have huge battles over Thursday night TV since it is a peak viewing night. But many shows can be deemed "good enough for Friday night"

30 second advertising spot for Thursday night.
8:00-9:00
$316,912 Big Bang Theory CBS
$174,442 The Millers CBS
$97,136 Wonderland ABC
$78,146 Parks and Recreation NBC
$62,358 Welcome to the Family (Cancel) NBC

9:00-10:00
$167.569 The Crazy Ones CBS
$183,904 Two and a Half Men CBS
$204,658 Grey's Anatomy ABC
$80,939 Sean Saves the World NBC
$95,663 Michael J. Fox Show NBC

10:00-11:00
$127,700 Elementary* CBS
$207,053 Scandal* ABC
$89,278 Parenthood NBC

Prime time is a fluid concept anyway. Its is always being stretched so as to get feeder shows that capture an early audience and then just stay on that channel.

Its just that in certain cities such as those with major medical centers, there is a tremendous shift away from 9-5 hours so prime time is eroded. So too in various professions where time allocation is more fluid.

Quote: Fleastiff

Prime time is a fluid concept anyway. Its is always being stretched so as to get feeder shows that capture an early audience and then just stay on that channel.

Its just that in certain cities such as those with major medical centers, there is a tremendous shift away from 9-5 hours so prime time is eroded. So too in various professions where time allocation is more fluid.

The potential to sell shows is still much higher than using them to sell advertising time. The Big Bang Theory gets the highest advertising rate of any scripted show. At an average of $316,912 for 30 second commercial, that is $5 million for 16 commercials in half an hour. If there are as many as 20 million viewers that is roughly 25 cents per viewer. Apple I-tunes sells the shows for $2.99 apiece which presumably very few people shell out to watch a 22 minute TV show.

It seems ridiculous that people should pay $3 to purchase a show, and it gathers only 25 cents in revenue per person for a first time showing. But if these numbers are radically reduced someday, it may be quite possible to create small fortunes selling shows.

Bill O'Reilly is an American television host, author, syndicated columnist and political commentator has a salary of $17 million per year.

Quote: Pacomartin

Bill O'Reilly is an American television host, author, syndicated columnist and political commentator has a salary of $17 million per year.

In an industry where its often "hostess". In the UK, the BBC uses terms such as Reader or News Presenter, but we use terms such as Anchor and Newsman.

I've failed to recall one name but he used to "host" some mystery/crime shows. That is, he appeared to comment on them Never flew to a location or talked with the individuals involved... he merely provided some commentary and continuity. Never understood his role or his salary for it at all.

Some of these sports commentators get massive salaries and recently female sports commentators have developed fan bases and high salaries. Can't understand it at all.

As for alternative transmissions: Many shows are on the internet soon after being broadcast, so it seems there has to be some difference between pay for a tv network ad spot and watch it on the internet the next day where you can easily bleep out the ads and not pay a cent.

Quote: Fleastiff

As for alternative transmissions: Many shows are on the internet soon after being broadcast, so it seems there has to be some difference between pay for a tv network ad spot and watch it on the internet the next day where you can easily bleep out the ads and not pay a cent.

You can't easily bleep out ads on the internet. It takes the same level of difficulty as watching it on broadcast. On both broadcast and TV you can hit the mute button, and it is easier now since you can rewind if you end up missing part of the show. Many TV's have DVR attached which allow you to back up TV.

Many of the networks now offer Video on Demand with the cable companies. You can rewind, but you can't fast forward so you must watch the commercials.

But advertisers still pay $26 to reach 1000 homes on average, so the potential to sell entertainment still remains much greater than giving it away for advertising space.

Quote: Pacomartin

Many of the networks now offer Video on Demand with the cable companies. You can rewind, but you can't fast forward so you must watch the commercials.

I don't mind commercials. In fact, I rather want them since the break gives you a chance to take care of some needs. Besides, I cna ignore them or just tune them out. But I believe if you're paying for content, it should be commercial-free.

Quote: Nareed

But I believe if you're paying for content, it should be commercial-free.

There is an increasing amount of annoyance at paying cable bills for commercial television.

Signature Digital Cable 71 HD channels $60/month plus $10 per TV| Free ON DEMAND titles refreshed monthly |45 commercial-free digital music channels
21 channels are available by antenna if your house is properly located

I don't get BBT. I've seen about 10 ep's now. It seems to
be about geeks who never get laid, and they beat that
into the ground. I have yet to see a funny episode. Am
I just out of touch?

Are there any network shows worth watching? I'm on
the cusp of the new media wave, we wait till about 7
seasons are in the can and then get the DVD's and
watch them all in a row. Saves untold hours wading
thru commercials. I'm serious when I say I haven't
watched a network show in real time in 8 years.

Quote: Pacomartin

NBC put 19 straight Sitcoms on the air since 2009, with 2 on the air both of which probably will be cancelled.

NBC Sitcoms after Sep 2009
1 ) 27. May. 2010 100 Questions 
2 ) 23. Sep. 2010 Outsourced 
3 ) 20. Jan. 2011 Perfect Couples 
4 ) 14. Apr. 2011 The Paul Reiser Show 
5 ) 5. Aug. 2011 Friends with Benefits 
6 ) 14. Sep. 2011 Free Agents 
7 ) 14. Sep. 2011 Up All Night 
8 ) 22. Sep. 2011 Whitney 
9 ) 11. Jan. 2012 Are You There, Chelsea? 
10 ) 21. Mar. 2012 Bent 
11 ) 4. Apr. 2012 Best Friends Forever 
12 ) 8. Aug. 2012 Go On 
13 ) 12. Aug. 2012 Animal Practice 
14 ) 10. Sep. 2012 The New Normal 
15 ) 11. Sep. 2012 Guys With Kids 
16 ) 17. Dec. 2012 1600 Penn 
17 ) 26. Sep. 2013 The Michael J. Fox Show
18 ) 3. Oct. 2013 Welcome to the Family
19 ) 3. Oct. 2013 Sean Saves The World

It's official that the two sitcoms were cancelled meaning that 19 straight sitcoms were cancelled by NBC before accumulating enough episodes for syndication. Of the two older stalwarts, Parks and Recreation and Community, it is likely that Community will be cancelled at the end of the year, with P&R probably holding on for one more year.

Not to be stopped by failure, NBC is introducing two new sitcoms at the end of the month. One stars David B. Walton who has starred in three previous failed series for NBC (airing just 24 episodes for all 3 series combined).

And to show that NBC is not completely out of fresh ideas, Bill Cosby, whose last sitcom went off the air on NBC on 28 Apr. 2000, is being brought back to the network this fall in a new Cosby sitcom.

So who owns a show if the network cancels it prior to a sufficient number of episodes for syndication?