The Tribune Company claims to Broadcasting & Cable that one reason it's suffering is because its relatively successful syndicated programming and local newscasts are mismatched with its CW primetime lineups in 13 of its 19 markets.
And that disconnect is felt at many of Tribune’s stations, say company executives. “Part of the problem is that our primetime is trying to be hipper than our TV stations,” says one Tribune insider who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the exec’s business relationship with The CW. “Our stations are programmed very much like independents all day long, and then our primetime shows are too hip for the room. A big chunk of your revenue should be coming from primetime. If we had prime fixed, or at least working somewhat, we’d be so much better off.”
We've written often about the fact that it's the conventional wisdom that the CW loses money as a broadcast network, but that its owners (CBS, Warner Brothers) recoup those losses with the gains in the value of the shows they produce for the network (all the current scripted CW shows).
But all the CW local affiliates suffer from its primetime ratings losses as well (the Tribune is just the most visible, and likely most desperate, among them) and how will they recoup their losses?
There's a nice tie-in to blame Dawn Ostroff for Tribune bailing on ABC's “Legend of the Seeker” somewhere in here.
Damn, could've gone with “Dawn Ostroff's flailing CW kills Tribune earnings, so it Drops Legend Of The Seeker” headline.
As much as I enjoy the notion that The CW primetime schedule is 'too hip' for its affiliates I think its safe to say that 'too hip' is in fact a euphemism for 'not popular enough'. This could potentially be an interesting situation to watch develop though and a timely reminder to the NBC affiliates that things could always be worse for them…
It is however interesting to note how heavy the disconnect between the affiliates syndicated numbers are and The CW prime time schedule are and not just in the demo but the audience as a whole. The numbers cited in the article for the drop from the Two and Half Men repeats into CW primetime are pretty startling.
I knew there would be a way to blame LotS being dropped on the CW!
Let me just find me Cancelled TV Show checklist… Ah yes, scapegoat… Check!
@Robert: I wont blame CW for LotS recent failure. Tribune airs the show on Saturday at 4 and 5PM in the NY area (probably its biggest market). Unless you're watching a sports game, no one who watches TV at those times is interested in broadcast television.
The company's problems are their own doing, they took the deal from CBS and WB. If any television stations should be purchased from a large cable operator (cough* COMCAST *cough) it's Tribunes stations.
The Tribune Company has a multitude of problems but in all fairness I suspect the WB and the programming aired there was more in line with the Tribune affilaites programming. The local affiliate in Chicago seemed to do pretty well or that's my perception with the programming provided though the WB. Who knows the Tribine Company may end up selling off these affiliates.
Dawn Ostroff's flailing CW kills Tribune earnings, so it Drops Legend Of The Seeker
@ Bill thats probably how a lot of LoTS fans will view this article. Now while I am a fan on the series, don't think everything should be blamed on Tribune the ratings were lower then last season period. It got the same promotion this season and last, with expect to the series premiere which actually received quite a bit, and that probably won't change. However considering the ratings for CW and Tribune I suppose LoTS still does better then most CW series, which is kind of sad when you think about it. I believe CW should be re branded like how SyFy was and start from scratch without Dawn ( how she even still has a job is beyond me). The networks is not growing at all, hasn't since day one, and having mostly all their shows about teen drama isn't going to help. The WB should be brought back.
It would be interesting to find out whether any Tribune stations are doing better on Sunday's compaired to last season now that they get to programme it themselves.
Houston also has LOTS on at 4 and sometimes 5 PM and the only way I can keep track of it is with my trusty DVR. Love that series
looks like that strategy of going after female left handed dog owners from 14-16 is really working. I love being snarky about the CW's narrowcasting.
Sooner or later CW will have to diversify their programming.
Do they expect to make up for losing money with volume like the National Bank of Change?
Might be some good “Seeker” news on the horizon. As you know there has been a letter campaign to save Seeker. These letters have been generating responses from the stations they have been sent to. Well an interesting email reply to one of these email/letters hit the web tonight by way of one of the bigger LOTS forums. The email reply is from a FOX affiliate out of Eugene, Oregon.
Here is the source link:
http://kahlanrichardlots.proboards.com/index.cg…
Here is the reply:
“We have received word from our contact at Disney ABC Television, informing us that they are close to an agreement on bringing back Legend of the Seeker for a 3rd season. Should the show come back, we have let them know that we are interested in a renewal for both of our stations.
I will forward your comments to Disney ABC Television.
Regards,
Sandra Dornon-Belmont”
Here is the link to this particular Fox affiliate that gave this email reply:
http://www.myfoxeugene.com/
Bring back The WB! The network is much better then.
CW sucks big time! Not just their marketing but the network's top-honcho — Dawn Ostroff!
I wonder if anything will be done, by either CBS, Warner Brothers or Tribune to stop the losses. Sure the former two may recoup losses, but at the expense of its affiliates. This has been happening for years so I wonder how long they can continue. I wonder how their money tree is looking.
The CW is just a blight.
Tribune-owned the cw will back to independent in fall 2010? due to low ratings and ads.
Tribune-owned the cw will back to independent in fall 2010? due to low ratings and ads.