The Game Show Forum > Game Show Channels & Networks
Behind Door No. 2: A Revamped GSN
Jimmy Owen:
You may never see reruns of Big Brother on a cable network, but there is a DVD box set in stores right now.
Matt Ottinger:
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Dec 17 2003, 02:58 PM\'] Not so sure, but isn't Fear Factor up for some sort of syndication deal, or a rerun package on USA? [/quote]
Fear Factor has the *look* of a reality show. but is much closer in structure to a traditional game show. Each episode is self-contained with a set of contestants, a series of games, and one winner at the end. Not unlike TPIR in that respect. I hadn't specifically heard about a rerun package, but it makes more sense for that show than it would for others.
uncamark:
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Dec 17 2003, 03:09 PM\'][quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Dec 17 2003, 02:58 PM\'] Not so sure, but isn't Fear Factor up for some sort of syndication deal, or a rerun package on USA? [/quote]
Fear Factor has the *look* of a reality show. but is much closer in structure to a traditional game show. Each episode is self-contained with a set of contestants, a series of games, and one winner at the end. Not unlike TPIR in that respect. I hadn't specifically heard about a rerun package, but it makes more sense for that show than it would for others.[/quote]
Endemol sold the rerun rights to NBC Enterprises earlier this year.
Basically, reality shows make money because they're much cheaper to produce than scripted series, meaning that they make back their money when they air in many cases purely from the network license fee--the same way game shows and soaps made money in daytime and G-T made money from the prime time panel shows.
Also, the other way reality shows make money--overseas format licensing. The "WWTBAM"s and "Big Brother"s of television are probably in more countries than most successful U.S. scripted series--and remember that sitcoms don't import well.
TimK2003:
Cable & Satellite channels are slowly becoming as homogenized as radio is today.
Most cable channels over the past years had a niche that wasn't copied by others in great lenghts, and there was a lot of variety and creativity between networks.
Now it seems like with buyouts, mergers and just pressure by advertisers, many networks, just like GSN are quickly broadcasting "safe programming" -- a limited list of shows broadcasted ad nauseum. Seems like I turn on Comedy Central they air SNL reruns, or Ally McBeal or MASH reruns on FX.
There are many other popular programs from the past that are still favorites, but these big conglomerates feel that either:
a) The shows would be better fits when seen on newtork X than on their own network Y channel, while network Y feels just the opposite. This results in good shows falling through the cracks, never to be seen again.
b) The conglomerate's programming formula over on Network A works so well, that they want to use it for all of their other networks -- never mind that the format is being applied to a different set of demographics and/or a different format. Again, shows that should be a perfect fit on their network aren't and vice versa.
c) Their programming or format is set because their research proves that this is what EVERYONE in the country wants to watch -- never mind that their surveys came from Saginaw Michigan, Helena Montana, and East Los Angeles California. According to their research, those 3 cities are a full representation of American audiences.
Thus the audiences are stuck with what they have, with little alternatives -- brainwashed into thinking that this is what you REALLY want to see. (If you dont think this is real, look what Clear Channel has done to some of what were the best radio stations in the 70s & 80's. Do those stations still have their own trademark sound that put them at #1 in their market then, or is it the same sound that can predictively be heard in 150 other cities???).
Yet, despite their niche shows are kicking butt in the ratings, the broadcast & cable networks are still crying that they are slowly losing their total audience base. (If a show survives on a "solid" 8 share today, that same 8 share would be declared a disaster in the 60s & 70s.)
And yes, there are more of these niche channels popping up (Spike TV, Speed Channel, College Sports Network). But give them time until they get absorbed by a bigger company and they will become as vanilla as TBS. How many times can you really watch "Ghost" in a 2 month period?
It's a shame that it's the sponsors and company shareholders who now determine what we watch and listen to nowadays, and not necessarily the people anymore. An even bigger shame that GSN is falling in line as well.
As uncreative and repititious GSN has become, I'm lucky to make an effort to watch Match Game '75 anymore on a regular basis. Any other time, I might stumble onto it. But that's not because the novelty has worn off. Lately, it seems when I tune in on a lark what is usually on is the same LIMITED episodes of the Dick Clark Pyramids, Love Connections, and Lingos, or that horrrid 2 hour block devoted to Video Games. Thus there is no priority to stop at GSN first anymore when I turn on the TV. There are still ways to make a variety of old reruns fresh and new again, but the ones at the top don't see it like that anymore (sigh).
ilb4ever2000:
--- Quote ---And yes, there are more of these niche channels popping up (Spike TV, Speed Channel, College Sports Network). But give them time until they get absorbed by a bigger company and they will become as vanilla as TBS. How many times can you really watch "Ghost" in a 2 month period?
--- End quote ---
Spike TV's owned by Viacom and Speed Channel's part of the Murdoch empire. They've already been absorbed by bigger companies.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version