Variety writes about how broadcast nets are trying to be more thrifty, both due to the econony and changes to the broadcast network ratings landscape:
Network execs are sending a message to the industry: "We can't live the way we've lived in the past."
The old-style model of funding a pilot for $3 million-$10 million -- when it has only a 10% chance of survival -- can't be sustained much longer, they say. Ditto the hefty license fees for shows that are only performing so-so.
The penny-pinching trend, which started with reality fare, and continued with the Leno-in-primetime plan, is gaining steam on several other fronts as well.
International co-productions, which network chiefs would have never considered purchasing a few years ago, are suddenly in vogue, thanks to their thrifty sticker prices.
“International co-productions, which network chiefs would have never considered purchasing a few years ago”
I wonder why that is?
If memory serves me correctly, cable started the international acquisition and co-production options a while ago?
Hasn’t CBS started co-producing with Flashpoint and The Bridge and NBC are co-producing The Listener? I can see it becoming more common in the future.
HBO and Showtime have co-produced with foreign countries for shows like Rome and The Tudors, Big Budget documentaries like Planet Earth are always co-productions and British periods and cop shows like Cranford, Lewis and Wallander were co-produced with WGBH Boston. Law & Order: UK was a three way production between Kudos, Wolf Films and NBC Universal.
Well most of the shows on cable aren’t made in the U.S. anymore and a large chunk of the shows broadcast on Primetime TV are made in Canada. They have good actors and it’s a lot cheaper there to film a show.
Carol, I could count on one hand the number of network shows made in Canada.
Most mainstream actors don’t want to live in Canada for 8 months at a stretch. As for cable shows, their made as cheaply as possible and Canada offers great rebates on payroll and rentals to producers, up to 25 cent for every one dollar spent. Also their money is 77 cents to US dollar, this does fluctuate.
All this cost cutting would come as no surprise to fans of the soap operas. CBS cancelled “The Guiding Light” and I would imagine that the networks would be just as happy to cancel all of them. They certainly are doing their best to alienate audiences, by hiring writers who don’t care about continuity of characters and by firing beloved but pricey actors.
“X-Files” was made in Canada until Duchovny demanded that they move.
There’s nothing wrong with cutting costs as long as the shows are good.
3-10 million dollars for a pliot? So, how much does a show like Desperate Housewives or House MD cost?
Cable networks receive some subscriber income. Broadcast’s hold on the market has dropped, especially with new “bundling of services” – everyone has cable (except for me, and I watch all my tv online). hulu.com is one of the only sites right now actually taking advantage of he online audience. I hope I’m being counted in the ratings.