USA disappointed in "Modern Family"

[TMC]

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...89700145125382

The cable channel paid big bucks for the ABC comedy's reruns in hopes of attracting young viewers. Instead, USA is down 9% in the same timeslots in the key 18-49 demo from last year.

[Ant-Lox]

Smartphones, tablets, streaming, etc...

[Mace Dolex]

Wow I would think the reruns would be doing well, even though USA aires them 3 days of the week in 3-4 hour blocks which to me is better to binge watch them.

[TMC]

USA tried to model the success TBS has had with Big Bang Theory, but the ratings haven't delivered.

The feeling is that the TBS viewers weren't the same as the CBS viewers, so the show was finding a new audience, which then led to audience growth for the originals on CBS.

The USA/ABC model hasn't worked out the same way. USA is also known primarily for dramas, and isn't top of mind for sitcoms, the way some TBS nights of programming are, so the acquisition hasn't been the best fit.

A mis-calculation on USA's part. At least at this point.

[Will and Grace Fanatic]

This may be true but in syndication ratings, Modern family is a top 20 program. To bad we rely to much on the 18-49 year old ratings. Still the show is finding new viewers on USA. Alot of people who watch USA don't ever watch ABC, so this gives the show a chance to get some cable viewers now.

[Mace Dolex]

Originally Posted by Will and Grace Fanatic

This may be true but in syndication ratings, Modern family is a top 20 program. To bad we rely to much on the 18-49 year old ratings. Still the show is finding new viewers on USA. Alot of people who watch USA don't ever watch ABC, so this gives the show a chance to get some cable viewers now.

That's how I discovered the show via its reruns that I actually DVR the actual ABC airings to watch later.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Will and Grace Fanatic

This may be true but in syndication ratings, Modern family is a top 20 program. To bad we rely to much on the 18-49 year old ratings. Still the show is finding new viewers on USA. Alot of people who watch USA don't ever watch ABC, so this gives the show a chance to get some cable viewers now.

I think the w/ main problem Modern Family (either the show in general or why it may not play to well in reruns) is that it is simply too contrived and too sweet -- you always know that it will all work out in the absolute most saccharine way possible. In the end, MF is simply a "mockumentary-style" variant of The Brady Bunch with better jokes and actual irony. It doesn't help that it's a single-camera/laugh-track free show, that more or less, requires you to play closer attention to the jokes/situations.

[Frenky]

USA expected TBBT numbers for MF, but that was mistake on their part, TBBT is bigger hit, before MF there wasn't any popular single-cam in syndication, but yes USA definitely overpaid, as so did TBS for 2BG.

[Mace Dolex]

It's weird that USA is supposedly not content with their MF numbers but yet they seem to be doing a good job pushing the show with Mothers Day/Labor Day marathons, I mean it's obvious the show is a sizable hit for them.

Originally Posted by TMC

I think the w/ main problem Modern Family (either the show in general or why it may not play to well in reruns) is that it is simply too contrived and too sweet -- you always know that it will all work out in the absolute most saccharine way possible. In the end,

But isn't that what family style shows are for, sure it may come across as sweet and contrived but never to the point of getting sappy or turning into a PSA like Full House.

It doesn't help that it's a single-camera/laugh-track free show, that more or less, requires you to play closer attention to the jokes/situations.

I think the absence of the laughtrack works so much better since it doesn't force you to laugh and what's not funny and the repeated watching of episodes is a nice little payoff when you know what joke/situation of a previous episode the characters are referring to.