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Who Shot Network Television?
You don't need a CSI team to see that the wounds have been largely self-inflicted, but the networks can pull through if they recommit to innovative programming, says a media veteran.
A couple of key developments have been overlooked among the job cuts and bankruptcy filings in Media Land of late, but they’ll have huge significance to the future of network television.
First were the executive changes at NBC and a restructuring that will put its studio and network under one management team. NBC co-chairmen Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman will have the newly combined operations under them.
Once again the big winners will be those who create and own great content.
Next came a speculative piece in TVWeek that Disney is considering having the ABC Network and ABC Studios report to a single executive, possibly merging its development teams.
A few years ago, when CBS separated from Viacom, CBS Network President Nancy Tellem was also given authority over the Paramount TV studios.
In each case, there are probably personality issues behind some of the changes and certainly cost issues behind the consolidation. But the real message here, the one that will resonate for years to come, is that network television is losing its grip over distribution and needs to concentrate its creativity on programming.
As it becomes ever easier to deliver video to a growing broadband audience, many more will continue to do so very successfully.
Many of the reasons television networks exist are over. Networks built a “network” of local stations around the country so they could deliver the same programming in each city and sell advertising at the national level around that programming.
How long has it been since you watched a TV show on a set getting its signal over the air through an antenna? The country watches TV on cable and satellite today, and both are capable of delivering nationwide programming without the need for a local broadcast partner.
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Benjamin Sarlin is a reporter for The Daily Beast. He previously covered New York City politics for The New York Sun and has worked for talkingpointsmemo.com.
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Larry Kramer is senior adviser at Polaris Venture Partners, a venture-capital firm. He served as the first president of CBS Digital Media. Prior to joining CBS, Kramer was chairman, CEO, and founder of MarketWatch Inc. Kramer spent more than 20 years as a reporter and editor at the San Francisco Examiner, the Washington Post, and the Times of Trenton.
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Larry Kramer is senior adviser at Polaris Venture Partners, a venture-capital firm. He served as the first president of CBS Digital Media. Prior to joining CBS, Kramer was chairman, CEO, and founder of MarketWatch Inc. Kramer spent more than 20 years as a reporter and editor at the San Francisco Examiner, the Washington Post, and the Times of Trenton.
I have been increasingly disappointed in TV offerings. So many channels and nothing is on. Where are the shows that might appeal to those of us 50 and over? I do not want to watch reality or game shows or shows with a bunch of teenagers or shows whose scripts are nothing but a series of punch lines. Yes CSI and Law and Order are great shows, but I have gotten tired of them and all their offshoots. It depresses me that Boston Legal has just ended - it was funny and sad and relevant and irreverent and wonderfully written.
vollmers: "Boston Legal," yes!! For once, a show ended in perfect sync with its characters. "House" is the only other show I watch that at least tries to break formulas.
I'm under 30, and I completely agree about the lack of appealing shows. I'm waiting for the reality shows to die off, but it's taking forever. And "CSI" and "Law and Order" are just oversaturated. What is it about TV that keeps shows on life support, far past their peaks? (See: "X-Files," "Simpsons," "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "E.R.," etc.)
I would be very interested to see shows that aren't about A. dorky, one-dimensional walking punchlines (yes,"According to Jim" and "2 1/2 Men," I"m looking at you); B. moody, faux-tortured cops/lawyers, or C. wisecracking teens (with or without supernatural powers).
But first the networks need to have the confidence to experiment and not cancel new shows after 3 episodes.
No wonder I read.
OK, this is the thing. The reason people have stopped watching Network TV is because it plays to the lowest common denominator. Think about it. Two of the most successful shows in recent history have been the smartest ones, West Wing and Frasier. Audiences want to be entertained but not pandered to. Displaying ignorant people, doing stupid things does not make us feel smart. It makes us sad and isolated for wanting more intellectual stimulation than the most recent formula reality show offers.
Jerry Mander was right when he wrote "Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television." It makes us stupid.
Now it's shooting itself in the other foot by putting the best of its tawdry product on the internet.
Thank you.
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