The End of Primetime As We Know It?

Jay Leno’s move from late-night to primetime might effectively change the DNA of network television. As The Los Angeles Times notes, scripted TV has become prohibitively expensive to produce, and not even a mega-grosser like Seinfeld can pay for all the flops. Moreover, DVRs have eliminated the effectiveness of 30-second commercials. Moving Leno to primetime—alongside game show and reality shows—could point toward a cheaper way for the networks to do business. (An NBC executive called Leno’s show “somewhat digital-video-recorder-proof.”) As for scripted fare, well, it must look for a home on HBO and basic cable.