The Game Show Forum > Game Show Channels & Networks
$OTC and Scrabble
beatlefreak84:
Hello all,
I've decided to once again bring up the matter of the two most-requested shows nowadays for GSN to put back on the air: $OTC and Scrabble.
Yes, I know you all want them back on (I do too!), but the obvious issue comes up about profitability: will it make money for GSN?
So, my question is, barring all personal feelings about the shows, would it be a profitable move for GSN to try and play nice with Fremantle and get these shows now or sometime in the future? Why/why not?
My answer: Not at the present time because the focus is mainly on original shows. GSN has already seen plenty of success with originals and I'm sure would like to duplicate that success time and time again. The originals are still pretty cheap for GSN to produce, they don't have to worry about licensing agreements for most of them, and they all pretty much bring in respectable ratings. Why spend money on classics which would be a guaranteed hit among game show geeks but may not be among others? At least you can throw an original concept away and just make a new one, but a classic acquisition is there to stay (except for the G-T library, of course!).
However, I can see that, maybe at some point in the future, that it would be profitable, especially \"Scrabble.\" Chuck W. is becoming a major factor in GSN's success thus far, and, pending that success continues, why not try to acquire his most popular game show? I think people watch LC and NS for Chuck since they're not game shows, so I think \"Scrabble\" would please both the Chuck lovers as well as game show lovers.
$OTC, though, I'm not so sure about. Since Perry's CS isn't airing right now, the name recognition among casual viewers might be a problem. Also, not many people remember the game so fondly as we do. Could it be a hit? Of course; I think it would be a great show to air alongside LMAD or even Perry's CS. However, while \"Scrabble\" has that irresistible Chuck factor, Sale kind of lacks a name factor. However, who knows? It might work as an early afternoon game.
To make a long story short: They could show potential in the future, but I think \"Scrabble\" will see GSN's airwaves before \"Sale,\" if both even are considered. The originals are doing well, and GSN has a good thing going with them; why stop?
Anthony
clemon79:
[quote name=\'beatlefreak84\' date=\'Jul 11 2003, 06:49 PM\'] will it make money for GSN? [/quote]
This'll be real short.
When they decide it WILL, they will buy them.
CoreyArcher:
I'm sure GSN would have a (green) ball promoting Lingo back-to-back with Scrabble. But think of the fun promos they could do with $ale's instant bargains!
I guess I'd agree that $ale might, overall, be a little tougher sell for casual viewers. I, personally, would give my duodenum to see it on the schedule.
Regards,
- CA -
TheInquisitiveOne:
Like our good friend Chris L. said, if/when they see it as profitable, they will make an effort to buy them. However, I did catch a post on the GSN boards saying that they actually are making an effort at the Reg Grundy library, and Fremantle is denying them. (I read this, but please take this with a grain of salt.)
Personal feelings aside, the \"Chuck Factor\" would make Scrabble an excellent buy for GSN right now. This will also make good as a complement for \"Lingo,\" since they are both word games and fall in favor with audiences who enjoy them.
$ale, however, can be put in as a compliment to Perry's Card Sharks when they are aired. Also, the familiarity factor will grow with audiences who watch it for a period of time. I forgot all about $ale for 6 years until I read the EOTVGS, volume 3. Since then, I have had an obsession with the show (until I received a 26 episode collection!). My point is, after a few episodes, the familiarity of $ale would kick back in with hardcores and casuals alike.
I am willing to wait until the Grundy collection makes an appearance. The prospects are right for it, in principle.
The Inquisitive One
clemon79:
[quote name=\'TheInquisitiveOne\' date=\'Jul 11 2003, 11:15 PM\'] Personal feelings aside, the "Chuck Factor" would make Scrabble an excellent buy for GSN right now. This will also make good as a complement for "Lingo," since they are both word games and fall in favor with audiences who enjoy them. [/quote]
I think you're spot on. They complement each other very well, and Scrabble ran long enough that they could air it five days a week. (Unless, of course, they buy 37 episodes and loop them, like folks accuse them of doing with $100,000 Pyramid.)
(The upside to that is that we get to see Keif Ferrendini (and that's as close as I could get after an extensive check on Google for the correct spelling, and THAT poster wasn't even sure, so please don't bother correcting it, because 1) you don't know, and 2) I don't care) play the game that much more often. GIVING the clues today, she won herself another $10K in 30 seconds. If they ever have a Million Dollar Masters tourney on an incarnation of the Pyramid, invite her FIRST.)
--- Quote ---I am willing to wait until the Grundy collection makes an appearance. The prospects are right for it, in principle.
--- End quote ---
Obviously the finances aren't, though, if the information you reported was accurate. Let's hope one side or the other blinks at some point. :)
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version