| There is a trend in television that deserves watching. | | | | heavily into the network's profits. |
| This trend may be an indication of what is in store for | | | | With reality television being cheap programming, the |
| the future of network television. It is also an indication | | | | networks learned there was more profit from the |
| that the dynamic between network television versus | | | | margin. Even if there are less viewers watching. |
| cable channels is still shaking out. | | | | Unfortunately, they have taken this lesson even further |
| Anything Cheap Trend | | | | and the most recent variation on the theme is The Jay |
| There was a time when the major television networks | | | | Leno Show. Which is the same as the Tonight Show, |
| tried to outdo each other to find viewers. More that | | | | just ninety minutes earlier. Cheap programming that |
| viewers watched, more they could charge advertisers. | | | | NBC has decided to fill every last hour of prime time |
| Now, the trend seems to be less about grabbing | | | | with. Unlike Fox which just doesn't compete during that |
| viewers but more about margins. Competing for | | | | hour, NBC has essentially given up on providing quality |
| viewers is hard because what viewers want to watch | | | | programming and filling an hour with anything |
| change. Plus, the networks seem to have a baseline | | | | (everyday with same thing no less), knowing they will |
| for even the worse of their shows, meaning they can | | | | make plenty of money from the margin. So, between |
| still charges millions in advertising for any of their | | | | reality shows, game shows, and talk shows, thoughtful |
| programming. When there is a hit, the newly minted | | | | shows that take production dollars may be a dying |
| stars want huge dollars that cost the networks millions. | | | | breed on network television. The thought being why |
| Seinfeld, Friends stars were making a million dollars | | | | compete for more viewers when the net profit could |
| each episode during the zenith of their shows, cut | | | | be better with a high profit margin show? |