CBS== COURTS BARACKS STUPIDITY

ABC–ALWAYS BARACKS CHANNEL

FOX ROX—-FOX ROX—-FOX ROX—-FOX ROX

1. Most of their audience who are young teen ‘feminine’ females, most of these girls probably don’t even know how the quarterback of their hometown professional football team is.

2. Most major professional sports leagues already have their own networks: NHL – NBC, NBA – ABC, NFL – CBS/NBC/FOX, MLB – FOX, and NASCAR – FOX. College sports are mostly in CBS, ABC, and FOX for the final Bowl games. The only thing that the CW can pick up is MLS soccer (if they want to get that route). Then if they do, who watches soccer in America?

3. The vast majority of people who watch sports, just watch TV just for the sports, hardly any of them will ever gravitate to the network just for the sport. FOX adding NFL in 1993, was just a miracle, but it usually doesn’t work that way.

(Actually, as someone who liked HD DVD, I wish that was true, but that’s another story for a different forum.)

At least NBC still plans to broadcast on Sundays.

You gotta realize that the CW is increasing in viewership slowly, while NBC is decreasing each year in viewership slowly. Sooner or later they will tie and CW will probably beat them ahead.

There was a time when NBC was #1 and Fox was #4 it’s amazing how quick networks change position. While it’s nice NBC’s cable networks have done well lets be realistic cable is a fraction of a pie that’s dominated by the broadcast network. That’s why you see significant increases in cable revenues but yet y/y declines in overall revenue. I think bad management has been the problem at NBC over the years however the board has elected to stay with Jeff Zucker.

NBC sold more than a billion less in advertising than CBS did. NBC are trying to gain that share back. Dont forget the Superbowl and Olympics paid most of their earnings last year. This year they only have the former to lend a hand, so they need to make adjustments. Shorter seasons and less reruns give them that oportunity.

Heroes and Chuck have had mediocre ratings because they appeal to niche audiences versus mainstream America.

Aside from 30 Rock and Office, NBC has nothing that could possibly interest anybody.

I really dont see NBC in that much trouble, sure they rank fourth right now, I remember not long ago they were #1 and CBS was barely even alive. Its all cyclical and will swing back around. Right now CBS leads with stalwart favorites, not much flash and bang, they ended the Unit so, safe drama for the elder diaper set. NBC is or has experimented and taken risks. The fact no one watches must sting but they have diversified, USA has 2 nights going good right now with L&OCI/IPS and BURN/PAINS so they are providing that scripted content and expanding they’re overall reach something CBS is doing with showtime. Now in time the Network brand NBC maybe a mere parent figure, the broadcast net faded, to an actual cable carrier that’s pumping the content but isn’t that the same thing sort of.

Is that why Chuck skews older than a lot of NBC shows? Because only people under 30 like it?

remember CBS was in this position back in 1994 when they lost the NFL, major league baseball and the NBA within 3 years. their programming stuck up the joint and finished third.

I don’t think NBC’s woes have to do with show placement, promotion, or lack of common sense. It has to do with “niche” programming that appeals to one particular audience instead of the mainstream.

Shows like “Heroes” and “Chuck” really only appeal to an up-to-30 male audience. The same goes for their single-camera, “smart” comedy lineup that really only finds its way amongst an upper-class demographic that is too gun-ho on DVR and online viewership anyways.

This is why other shows like “The Biggest Loser” and “Law and Order: SVU” consistently outperform NBC’s apparent big guns. Both have more mainstream audiences and stick to regular formulas. Many Americans may tune out at some point, but these shows are stable rocks that appeal to a wide group of people.

That explains why a show like “Heroes” can do really well in advertising (there are a lot of products that especially cater to this sub-30 “video gamer” male audience), but won’t dazzle in ratings.

This philosophy will keep NBC in fourth place.

On the other hand, CBS has stuck to this safe, mainstream mentality for years and it has worked, for the most part. So, what? They’ll never make the cover of Entertainment Weekly or come up with something innovative or worth an Emmy, but their ratings and general revenue will do well.

Shows like “The Mentalist” and “NCIS” stick to a procedural format that seems to appeal to every audience, young and old. We can all agree that CBS has the oldest audience in primetime television, but their 18-49 audience isn’t THAT bad, especially when you consider they beat the majority of networks in average 18-49 viewership this past year anyway.

Both are winning formulas in their own right, but unless NBC likes the sound of 4th place, I’m sure their formula will change very soon.

Even if Leno is good putting all the network’s hope on 1 guy, 1 shows is just not smart. What happens if the show flops? What happens if Leno gets sick again?

Not to mention this Leno-move is cutting down on dramas in NBC. Can’t believe how they royally screwed Kings.

Jokes about being last make up like 70% of Conan’s material.