Has Lifetime gone in a new direction? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Hawkee · 02-02-2019, 01:58 AM

Ever since it was launched in the 80's Lifetime has been known for quality programming geared to the women's audience but it seems that Lifetime is now focusing on reality shows and movies and it makes me think that Lifetime is changing direction and trying a new audience. When it was first started Lifetime was known for quality shows talk shows reruns of L.A. Law and other drama shows and reruns of sitcoms such as Designing Women and Duet and Anything But Love and also introduced Supermarket Sweep and Shop Til You Drop Born Lucky and Debt to the game show world but also had their own celebrities host their talk shows such as Rolanda Watts who was a cohost of the talk show Attitudes and had Marc Summers be the first host of Our Home in 1994. But now it seems that Lifetime focuses on reruns of Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives reality shows and it seems to be that this new image is suiting Lifetime well. Another thing that Lifetime has an obsession with is movies and aside from the Christmas movies that air every November to December and a few Valentine's Day movies shown during February over half the movies Lifetime shows are thrillers and dramas with titles such as Nightmare Boyfriend or My Baby Is Missing to The Impossible Mother and I think that movies have been Lifetime's strongest links and ever since they created Lifetime Movie Network that's the only thing Lifetime focuses on. If they would add more sitcoms and reruns of Crossing Jordan Early Edition and The West Wing Lifetime could be improved and be more successful to people who watch it
Bestie

DadTheKing · 02-02-2019, 06:16 AM

Hi, Bestie! I think Lifetime still has potential, but should quit focusing so much on women and get more game shows and movies guys can watch too.
DTK

icecream · 02-02-2019, 07:28 AM

Lifetime has had nothing worth watching for several years now, except the Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever movie. When I first got cable in 2006 I watched Lifetime a lot for Frasier and Reba. They also had Less Than Perfect at one point, but that was very brief and didn't last long. I agree Early Edition would be a fantastic pickup for them, but that is unlikely. They are largely reality now, no sitcoms and the only dramas they air are Grey's Anatomy and The Closer.

JamesG · 02-02-2019, 11:40 AM

As Lifetime Turns 35, The Network Returns to its Movie Roots with Programming Strategy Shift
by Nellie Andreeva
February 1, 2019

Today marks the 35th anniversary of Lifetime. It is being celebrated with a marathon of signature original movies from the past two decades, like Flirting with Forty, Homeless to Harvard, Steel Magnolias and The Gabby Douglas Story.

Besides a tribute to the network’s past, the marathon is a nod to its future. Last summer, under new A+E Networks CEO Paul Buccieri, Lifetime made a change in its programming strategy, putting emphasis back on original movies and using them as backdoor pilots over traditional series development.

The network signaled its renewed push in original movies last August when it announced a 2019 slate of 75 films.

“It’s gotten so much higher than that,” said Lifetime veteran Tanya Lopez, EVP, Movies, Limited Series & Original Movie Acquisitions. “I wouldn’t say that we’re doubling that but we’re definitely increasing them.”

(The count includes both originals and acquisitions.)

The shift does not mean lesser commitment to scripted programming.

“We couldn’t be more in the scripted programming than any other network, it’s just not going to feel like everyone else, and I’m okay with that because I don’t think we can grow this business if we’re like everybody else,” Lopez said.

“The fact that I’m making deals and development deals for two-hour backdoor pilots is really where our strategy is leaning because for me our audience knows that they can come to us and watch a movie. That is the format of which they are most comfortable engaging, and so for that reason I want to introduce them to a series with that format. I feel like that’s how we’re going to get the biggest audience.”

The strategy recalibration came after a reality check by the company brass about the demographics that watch Lifetime and linear TV in general when two praised younger-skewing series, "UnREAL" and "You", did well on streaming platforms but failed to draw sizable audiences on Lifetime.

“Those are great shows, I’m really proud of them,” Lopez said. “I look at the success that You is having on Netflix, I think it’s thriving where it should thrive, and it didn’t belong on our network. I feel like we’ve been going after an age group of women that isn’t necessarily coming to Lifetime. In the ever-changing marketplace of all that’s being offered out there, we’re still relying on linear television viewing, and that really serves a certain age woman, probably more 25 to 54 rather than 18 to 45.

So said okay, strategically let’s look at our audience as to what the women in that age group want rather than trying to bring in a younger woman that isn’t really watching television in the same way the other demo is.”

Lifetime has a track record of turning successful TV movies into series, including the 2010 The Client List starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. Instead of trying to create a business and creative template for a series after the movie had already aired, the network is now laying the groundwork early in the process.

The difference is for writers to adjust to writing two-hour pilot scripts vs. one-hour. Lopez and her team would greenlight the scripts that stand out. After they watch the two-hour movie/backdoor pilot, there are several ways they could go. If the movie knocks it out of the park, the network may opt to not even air it as is but go straight to series.

The network brass could also decide to hold off and turn the pilot into a 6- to 10-episode limited series. Or they could put the finished movie on the air and see how it does before making further decisions.

Lifetime also is open to picking up whole movie franchises. Following the success of its movie adaptation of V.C. Andrews’ Flowers In the Attic and sequel Petals On the Wind, Lifetime greenlighted Andrews’ entire Casteel book series as five movies, which will air as a series movie event, with all five airing back-to-back.

And network is still willing to take an idea and go straight-to-series, which is the case with its only current series, the upcoming American Princess, which Lopez is really excited about.

What you won’t see is Lifetime reverting to the traditional pilot development model. “That is a business that feels archaic now, and isn’t smart for our network,” Lopez said.

Meanwhile, TV movies too have been a challenging business proposition, leading to many networks and studios leaving the space. Because Lifetime is doing so many of them, there is a built-in viewer awareness which reduces the need for extensive marketing campaigns.

As for production companies, some of the movie projects come from Lifetime’s sibling A+E Studios, some from outside.

Also helping viewers know what to expect is the network’s strategy of branding its movies by grouping them into four themes throughout the year.

Right now, it’s a biopic theme with Escape From the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story, Love You To Death and Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted To You.

It will be followed by inspirational/aspirational movies in March with I Am Somebody’s Child, among others.

In June, Lifetime is kicking off its summer escape theme, which the VC Andrews adaptations will be part of, before heading into the holiday-themed It’s A Wonderful Lifetime in the fall.

As the business model for Lifetime’s original movies has evolved, so has their content, moving away from the “women in peril” type of movies Lifetime had been known for.

“In women in peril movies, women will always be subjects of some violent act on them. Now the movies that we are developing and airing are about women who are inspirational, they are succeeding, bad asses and the characters that are driving the story,” Lopez said.

She gave as examples the network’s last two movies: The Nellie Bly Story, about the journalist uncovering injustices that were happening to women during that period, and the highly rated Love You To Death, about a young woman taking back control of her own life.

The trend carries over to upcoming movies such as I Am Somebody’s Child.

https://deadline.com/2019/02/lifetim...es-1202545214/

FaceReality · 02-02-2019, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadTheKing

Hi, Bestie! I think Lifetime still has potential, but should quit focusing so much on women and get more game shows and movies guys can watch too.
DTK

Might as well since most cable/satellite channels such as MTV, The Learning Channel, A&E, and The History Channel have lost their true identities. Why not take away Lifetime's true identity also?

If it were up to me I would not have cable or satellite where I live. Cable and Satellite channels show nothing but crap. It's a total waste of money. Any good show that these channels show I already own on DVD.

BTW, I don't believe there is a law that says guys can't watch Lifetime also.

FaceReality · 02-02-2019, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

Lifetime has had nothing worth watching for several years now, except the Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever movie. When I first got cable in 2006 I watched Lifetime a lot for Frasier and Reba. They also had Less Than Perfect at one point, but that was very brief and didn't last long. I agree Early Edition would be a fantastic pickup for them, but that is unlikely. They are largely reality now, no sitcoms and the only dramas they air are Grey's Anatomy and The Closer.

OMG! The Grumpy Cat Christmas movie was horrible. I never want to see that movie ever again. It is the worst Christmas movie ever made. If you think that is the best thing Lifetime has shown in a while then you have horrible taste. That movie was stupid.

The best thing Lifetime shows is reruns of Unsolved Mysteries. I wish they would also show the reruns of the Robert Stack episodes also.

DeadlyToolTime · 02-02-2019, 06:05 PM

About time someone calls out Catsrules's taste.

FaceReality · 02-03-2019, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadlyToolTime

About time someone calls out Catsrules's taste.

You're welcome.

KurtfromPitts · 02-06-2019, 12:07 PM

I'd like to see them do films focusing on female-on-male violence. You can only milk the [IMO] misandric men-bad, women-good theme so many times.

02-02-2019, 01:58 AM	#1
Hawkee Michael Fassbender Fanatic Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Location: California Posts: 10,728	Has Lifetime gone in a new direction? Ever since it was launched in the 80's Lifetime has been known for quality programming geared to the women's audience but it seems that Lifetime is now focusing on reality shows and movies and it makes me think that Lifetime is changing direction and trying a new audience. When it was first started Lifetime was known for quality shows talk shows reruns of L.A. Law and other drama shows and reruns of sitcoms such as Designing Women and Duet and Anything But Love and also introduced Supermarket Sweep and Shop Til You Drop Born Lucky and Debt to the game show world but also had their own celebrities host their talk shows such as Rolanda Watts who was a cohost of the talk show Attitudes and had Marc Summers be the first host of Our Home in 1994. But now it seems that Lifetime focuses on reruns of Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives reality shows and it seems to be that this new image is suiting Lifetime well. Another thing that Lifetime has an obsession with is movies and aside from the Christmas movies that air every November to December and a few Valentine's Day movies shown during February over half the movies Lifetime shows are thrillers and dramas with titles such as Nightmare Boyfriend or My Baby Is Missing to The Impossible Mother and I think that movies have been Lifetime's strongest links and ever since they created Lifetime Movie Network that's the only thing Lifetime focuses on. If they would add more sitcoms and reruns of Crossing Jordan Early Edition and The West Wing Lifetime could be improved and be more successful to people who watch it Bestie
	__________________ Hawkee and Aguilar, Hoping to be a great team

02-02-2019, 06:16 AM	#2
DadTheKing Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 21, 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,270	Hi, Bestie! I think Lifetime still has potential, but should quit focusing so much on women and get more game shows and movies guys can watch too. DTK Attached Images

02-02-2019, 07:28 AM	#3
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,603	Lifetime has had nothing worth watching for several years now, except the Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever movie. When I first got cable in 2006 I watched Lifetime a lot for Frasier and Reba. They also had Less Than Perfect at one point, but that was very brief and didn't last long. I agree Early Edition would be a fantastic pickup for them, but that is unlikely. They are largely reality now, no sitcoms and the only dramas they air are Grey's Anatomy and The Closer.
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

02-02-2019, 11:40 AM	#4
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,951	As Lifetime Turns 35, The Network Returns to its Movie Roots with Programming Strategy Shift by Nellie Andreeva February 1, 2019 Today marks the 35th anniversary of Lifetime. It is being celebrated with a marathon of signature original movies from the past two decades, like Flirting with Forty, Homeless to Harvard, Steel Magnolias and The Gabby Douglas Story. Besides a tribute to the network’s past, the marathon is a nod to its future. Last summer, under new A+E Networks CEO Paul Buccieri, Lifetime made a change in its programming strategy, putting emphasis back on original movies and using them as backdoor pilots over traditional series development. The network signaled its renewed push in original movies last August when it announced a 2019 slate of 75 films. “It’s gotten so much higher than that,” said Lifetime veteran Tanya Lopez, EVP, Movies, Limited Series & Original Movie Acquisitions. “I wouldn’t say that we’re doubling that but we’re definitely increasing them.” (The count includes both originals and acquisitions.) The shift does not mean lesser commitment to scripted programming. “We couldn’t be more in the scripted programming than any other network, it’s just not going to feel like everyone else, and I’m okay with that because I don’t think we can grow this business if we’re like everybody else,” Lopez said. “The fact that I’m making deals and development deals for two-hour backdoor pilots is really where our strategy is leaning because for me our audience knows that they can come to us and watch a movie. That is the format of which they are most comfortable engaging, and so for that reason I want to introduce them to a series with that format. I feel like that’s how we’re going to get the biggest audience.” The strategy recalibration came after a reality check by the company brass about the demographics that watch Lifetime and linear TV in general when two praised younger-skewing series, "UnREAL" and "You", did well on streaming platforms but failed to draw sizable audiences on Lifetime. “Those are great shows, I’m really proud of them,” Lopez said. “I look at the success that You is having on Netflix, I think it’s thriving where it should thrive, and it didn’t belong on our network. I feel like we’ve been going after an age group of women that isn’t necessarily coming to Lifetime. In the ever-changing marketplace of all that’s being offered out there, we’re still relying on linear television viewing, and that really serves a certain age woman, probably more 25 to 54 rather than 18 to 45. So said okay, strategically let’s look at our audience as to what the women in that age group want rather than trying to bring in a younger woman that isn’t really watching television in the same way the other demo is.” Lifetime has a track record of turning successful TV movies into series, including the 2010 The Client List starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. Instead of trying to create a business and creative template for a series after the movie had already aired, the network is now laying the groundwork early in the process. The difference is for writers to adjust to writing two-hour pilot scripts vs. one-hour. Lopez and her team would greenlight the scripts that stand out. After they watch the two-hour movie/backdoor pilot, there are several ways they could go. If the movie knocks it out of the park, the network may opt to not even air it as is but go straight to series. The network brass could also decide to hold off and turn the pilot into a 6- to 10-episode limited series. Or they could put the finished movie on the air and see how it does before making further decisions. Lifetime also is open to picking up whole movie franchises. Following the success of its movie adaptation of V.C. Andrews’ Flowers In the Attic and sequel Petals On the Wind, Lifetime greenlighted Andrews’ entire Casteel book series as five movies, which will air as a series movie event, with all five airing back-to-back. And network is still willing to take an idea and go straight-to-series, which is the case with its only current series, the upcoming American Princess, which Lopez is really excited about. What you won’t see is Lifetime reverting to the traditional pilot development model. “That is a business that feels archaic now, and isn’t smart for our network,” Lopez said. Meanwhile, TV movies too have been a challenging business proposition, leading to many networks and studios leaving the space. Because Lifetime is doing so many of them, there is a built-in viewer awareness which reduces the need for extensive marketing campaigns. As for production companies, some of the movie projects come from Lifetime’s sibling A+E Studios, some from outside. Also helping viewers know what to expect is the network’s strategy of branding its movies by grouping them into four themes throughout the year. Right now, it’s a biopic theme with Escape From the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story, Love You To Death and Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted To You. It will be followed by inspirational/aspirational movies in March with I Am Somebody’s Child, among others. In June, Lifetime is kicking off its summer escape theme, which the VC Andrews adaptations will be part of, before heading into the holiday-themed It’s A Wonderful Lifetime in the fall. As the business model for Lifetime’s original movies has evolved, so has their content, moving away from the “women in peril” type of movies Lifetime had been known for. “In women in peril movies, women will always be subjects of some violent act on them. Now the movies that we are developing and airing are about women who are inspirational, they are succeeding, bad asses and the characters that are driving the story,” Lopez said. She gave as examples the network’s last two movies: The Nellie Bly Story, about the journalist uncovering injustices that were happening to women during that period, and the highly rated Love You To Death, about a young woman taking back control of her own life. The trend carries over to upcoming movies such as I Am Somebody’s Child. https://deadline.com/2019/02/lifetim...es-1202545214/

02-02-2019, 06:05 PM	#7
DeadlyToolTime Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 20, 2018 Posts: 199	About time someone calls out Catsrules's taste.

02-06-2019, 12:07 PM	#9
KurtfromPitts Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 10, 2006 Location: Carnegie PA Posts: 1,530	I'd like to see them do films focusing on female-on-male violence. You can only milk the [IMO] misandric men-bad, women-good theme so many times.