Network television....those over-the-air stations and their affiliated Big Five broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW) are doing pretty well, so far this TV season. Ok, we're only four days into the new TV season but here are some numbers.
Once upon a time, before the growth of so many cable channels, the over-the-air networks and their affiliates received 90%+ of all television viewing. The latest number shows a 42% share. There is real erosion but in 100+ channel homes, that's still not a bad percentage of viewers. To simplify the figure: If a group of 100 people were watching television, 42 of this 100 would likely be watching one of the Big Five networks.
Read the full article here:
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=114358
| Network Phenom: Little Broadcast Erosion |
| Wayne Friedman, Sep 25, 2009 06:26 PM |
The first four big days of the broadcast season might tell you of something that the networks have not seen in recent years -- very little broadcast erosion. The collective average ratings of the big five broadcast networks was at a Nielsen 15.4 rating among 18-49 viewers, down just 3% from a 15.8 a year ago. Total shares for the five networks were 42 versus 41 through the first four days a year ago. |
I think "The Big Five" will always be hanging on. Cable is great, but it can only provide so much. Most of the good "quality" sitcoms and shows air on "The Big Five" though, and then branch out to cable. For example look at the NBC show The Office. It now plays five days a week on TBS. There are alot of other shows that do the exact same thing. My name is Earl, Family Guy, Grey's Anatomy, and Lost are among the many successful shows that have branched out. So "The Big Five" will always hold their own, and they will never dissolve.
ReplyDeleteI believe the big five stations are will do well this year and will always be around. Each network in the big five is bringing a wide variety of shows hitting a range of ages.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I think that could be affecting these stations is the economy. Money being an issue people are dropping the extras and sticking with the basics. I also think the network television is coming up with a lot of comedies this year. I think this is a positive because with the economy doing bad people want to laugh and need a break from reality. ABC for example has Ugly Betty and Dancing with the Stars, FOX has American Idol, CBS has the Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother, lastly, and NBC has The Office. Then each of these networks has its classic shows that have consistent viewers.
I think they will be fine, it’s early yet to tell but with the economy how it is everything is affected. Understanding the tough times might help to explore new options in getting their points back up.
I think the Big Five will never just go away , because there are some very good shows on there an people will always watch them.
ReplyDeleteThe Big 5 will never fade. They may have times where there views or rating drop, but someone will come up with a new reality show and bring viewers right back and things will skyrocket! Although cable will probaly always be better, the big 5 have been around since the beginning and you will always have people who dont want to pay for things they feel should be free
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