Comments on: The Three Strike Rule: And Now, a Word from Our Sponsor

By: DwDunphy

DwDunphy — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:08:09 +0000

Leno at 10:00 every weeknight on NBC. If that's not an indicator, what is?

By: DwDunphy

DwDunphy — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:08:09 +0000

Leno at 10:00 every weeknight on NBC. If that's not an indicator, what is?

By: Malchus

Malchus — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:26:25 +0000

I think Jeff hits the nail on the head here. Furthermore, I think that with the advent of DVR's, more viewers are putting off some weekday shows that they watch until the weekend because they know they don't have to watch them “at that moment” like they used to back in the dark ages. There is also the fact that, unlike in 1992 when Springsteen was lamenting about 57 channels and nothing on, there are now over 200 channels to choose from (even without premium channels). So on a Saturday night when the big 4 are showing reruns, you're still likely to find original programming on one of the cable networks.

By: jefito

jefito — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:57:03 +0000

I'd say it's because ad revenue has decreased to the point that the networks can no longer afford to produce a full week of original programming — and ancillary ad markets, like the daytime serials and sports programming, have either almost completely dried up or been co-opted by the cable channels. I keep reading that the economy may actually sound the death knell for soaps in '09.

By: Jamie Lyon

Jamie Lyon — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:40:59 +0000

Scott, I agree completely. My family is certainly relying more on the TV than we have in the past for the escapism which you just described. My question is this: If we as Americans are indeed stying home in droves and watching the tube, then why have the networks forsaken Saturday night programming? Seems like the last time we had a struggling economy we were offered Love Boat and Fantasy Island on Saturday nights. “Comfort Food” for the brain, to be sure, but isn't that what we're looking for?