Superbowl
01-17-2006, 11:39 AM
From Marc Berman Programming Insider :
The WB:
Opening Executive Comments
Yes, no one ever said trying to broaden your audience would be easy, and it certainly has not been for the WB. Year-to-year, and according to Nielsen Media Research, the network is down by 270,000 viewers (3.53 to 3.26 million) and 13 percent among key adults 18-34 (1.6/ 5 to 1.4/ 4). But there is hope on the horizon courtesy of the return of Beauty and the Geek and one upcoming show in particular, romantic comedy Pepper Dennis, which could be beneficial if scheduled properly.
“We are staying very committed to our 12-34 demographic, said David Janollari, president, entertainment of the WB. “Since I’ve gotten here that’s been the mantra -- to rebuild and replenish new, ongoing long-term hits. We’re in a place of rebuilding.”
7th Heaven, the decade old hit family drama, which is ending this spring because of the high cost (estimated at a loss of $16 million this year), maybe not be officially over.
“We are continuing our conversations with Brenda (Hampton) about trying to craft a spin-off of sorts,” said Janollari. “I don’t know what that’s going to be yet. I’m waiting for her to figure out what she wants to be.”
The jury, meanwhile, is still out on the network’s second oldest series, Charmed.
Although the WB has had mixed early results programming the Monday to Friday 3-5 p.m. daypart in place of Kids’ WB! programming, the network is committed to the affiliate stations.
“We worked with the stations to figure out an economic formula of how to do this,” said Garth Ancier, chairman, the WB. “And all the feedback has been very positive. The biggest question is should it be a drama, or should it be comedies in there. So far 8 Simple Rules is doing better than ER, but ER is one of those serialized shows that tend to do better over time. So I think the jury is still out as to whether we should go in the comedy or drama direction long-term in the future.”
While the WB, of course, is focusing on the positive, the next time it brings back an aging star like Don Johnson in a drama like Just Legal, the only way to broaden the audience is to give a program the chance to find an audience. Axing a show after three episodes is no way to rebuild the future. Finding the right time period for a solid looking project like Pepper Dennis and demonstrating patience -- and plenty of it -- is.
As for the weekday afternoon block, my advice is to stick with comedies. Viewers won’t have the patience to commit to repeats of an hour long drama. And the next time you throw a party, turn the lights on!
It appears 8SR is doing well in the ratings for the WB. This is good news. Hopefully, they will find a permanent syndication home for the show after its 8 month run on the WB.
The WB:
Opening Executive Comments
Yes, no one ever said trying to broaden your audience would be easy, and it certainly has not been for the WB. Year-to-year, and according to Nielsen Media Research, the network is down by 270,000 viewers (3.53 to 3.26 million) and 13 percent among key adults 18-34 (1.6/ 5 to 1.4/ 4). But there is hope on the horizon courtesy of the return of Beauty and the Geek and one upcoming show in particular, romantic comedy Pepper Dennis, which could be beneficial if scheduled properly.
“We are staying very committed to our 12-34 demographic, said David Janollari, president, entertainment of the WB. “Since I’ve gotten here that’s been the mantra -- to rebuild and replenish new, ongoing long-term hits. We’re in a place of rebuilding.”
7th Heaven, the decade old hit family drama, which is ending this spring because of the high cost (estimated at a loss of $16 million this year), maybe not be officially over.
“We are continuing our conversations with Brenda (Hampton) about trying to craft a spin-off of sorts,” said Janollari. “I don’t know what that’s going to be yet. I’m waiting for her to figure out what she wants to be.”
The jury, meanwhile, is still out on the network’s second oldest series, Charmed.
Although the WB has had mixed early results programming the Monday to Friday 3-5 p.m. daypart in place of Kids’ WB! programming, the network is committed to the affiliate stations.
“We worked with the stations to figure out an economic formula of how to do this,” said Garth Ancier, chairman, the WB. “And all the feedback has been very positive. The biggest question is should it be a drama, or should it be comedies in there. So far 8 Simple Rules is doing better than ER, but ER is one of those serialized shows that tend to do better over time. So I think the jury is still out as to whether we should go in the comedy or drama direction long-term in the future.”
While the WB, of course, is focusing on the positive, the next time it brings back an aging star like Don Johnson in a drama like Just Legal, the only way to broaden the audience is to give a program the chance to find an audience. Axing a show after three episodes is no way to rebuild the future. Finding the right time period for a solid looking project like Pepper Dennis and demonstrating patience -- and plenty of it -- is.
As for the weekday afternoon block, my advice is to stick with comedies. Viewers won’t have the patience to commit to repeats of an hour long drama. And the next time you throw a party, turn the lights on!
It appears 8SR is doing well in the ratings for the WB. This is good news. Hopefully, they will find a permanent syndication home for the show after its 8 month run on the WB.