Why traditional TV is in trouble: The Top 9 network shows have a median age in the 50 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 05-15-2018, 01:13 AM

...s

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/13/b...vertising.html

The median age of The Good Doctor and The Big Bang Theory viewers is in their late 50s, while Roseanne, This Is Us and Will & Grace have a median viewership in the early 50s. "The hottest shows on TV networks — which command the highest ad prices — are attracting older viewers, which is a challenge for brands that want to reach millennials and teens," says The New York Times. "For instance, this season’s top-rated show, the revival of Roseanne, has a median viewer age of 52.9 years. The network show with the lowest median age is Riverdale on the CW, at 37.2."

stevea · 05-15-2018, 09:33 AM

Obviously, this doesn't bode well for them. Traditional TV, so-called "free", needs to change. The 50 and over crowd are being priced out of the market by cable TV, and the cash cow that the networks and local stations have now, will come crashing down.

Yong Fang · 05-15-2018, 11:35 AM

I am 51 years old. I have said this before, but in my opinion for the most part, present network television is 90 percent garbage. I currently watch three network sitcoms (Young Sheldon, Mom and Roseanne) and really, that's about it. Not to mention the looooong and obnoxious commercials.

Living overseas, I watch TV online. There is a website I use to watch shows without commercials. Or I watch YouTube which has lots and lots and lots of old programming, documentaries, films, just almost everything. If and when I do move back to the USA, I probably won't even own a television, or if I have one, will not pay for cable, satellite or whatever. Just hook the TV to a computer and go from there.

You also have to consider that there are many, many more choices now in programming than even twenty or even ten years ago. I would think most younger people are not watching TV, and choosing instead to use the Internet and other platforms. One can go to almost any business that serves customers (for instance, a Starbucks, McDonalds, or even the local strip club) where there is WIFI and one can break out their portable device and watch TV. Ome can watch a show anytime and not restrained to a certain time the networks decide to show a program. It is a whole new World.

Regulus · 05-15-2018, 12:12 PM

I read last week that another 3/4 million households have cut the cord during the first quarter of this year

, and their is no end in sight for when this trend will end. Some networks plan to curtail advertising, but nothing is certain at this time. May is a "sweeps" month, where the networks do what they can to attract audiences, so they can determine what they can charge their advertisers. These sweeps used to be a time where one could watch some choice programming (a lot of mini-series used to air at this time), but this trend jumped the shark many moons ago. Today it's simply a time where reruns cease to be shown.

LUNCH · 05-15-2018, 01:55 PM

Do young people even watch TV the old fashioned way anymore?By young I mean under age 25 or so.

Mr. Television · 05-15-2018, 03:00 PM

Don't feel sorry for them one bit.It's been 3 years since I was in the demographic so they don't care about me then I don't care about them.

stevea · 05-15-2018, 03:12 PM

I wonder if the total, average desired demographics are on a continuous, downward trend.

tlc38tlc38 · 05-15-2018, 04:25 PM

The only CURRENT shows I watch are "Days of our Lives", "Wheel of Fortune", "Jeopardy!", "Roseanne", "Judge Judy", & "RuPaul's Drag Race"...that's it.

Other than that, I watch MeTV, "Hee Haw" Sunday nights on RFD, and whatever sitcoms are on Logo.

I also watch a lot of DVDs from my collection.

Regulus · 05-15-2018, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

Do young people even watch TV the old fashioned way anymore?By young I mean under age 25 or so.

A lot of young adult viewers are "Cord Nevers" which means they don't subscribe to Cable or Satellite TV, and have no intentions of doing so in the forseeable future. Many of them don't own a TV set, if they watch something it's either on their computer, tablet or smartphone.

icecream · 05-15-2018, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regulus

A lot of young adult viewers are "Cord Nevers" which means they don't subscribe to Cable or Satellite TV, and have no intentions of doing so in the forseeable future. Many of them don't own a TV set, if they watch something it's either on their computer, tablet or smartphone.

I have never gotten the appeal of watching TV shows on a tiny phone or tablet.

Regulus · 05-15-2018, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

I have never gotten the appeal of watching TV shows on a tiny phone or tablet.

I've seen kids watch a show on their smartphone IN CHURCH!!!

Dianne3 · 05-16-2018, 04:07 PM

The older viewers (I am in that group), we grew up either in the 60's, 70's or 80's, when TV was at its best - especially in the 1970's.
We remember the good ole days of TV, and that would be a major reason why we are reluctant to completely get rid of traditional TV watching.

If I first discovered TV in the last 2 decades or so, I would probably not have a TV today.

tlc38tlc38 · 05-16-2018, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

I have never gotten the appeal of watching TV shows on a tiny phone or tablet.

LUNCH · 05-16-2018, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regulus

A lot of young adult viewers are "Cord Nevers" which means they don't subscribe to Cable or Satellite TV, and have no intentions of doing so in the forseeable future. Many of them don't own a TV set, if they watch something it's either on their computer, tablet or smartphone.

I agree with a lot of what Dianne3 mentioned. I feel the same way as she does. If I first discovered TV over the past 2 decades or so I probably would not want a TV either.

LUNCH · 05-16-2018, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dianne3

The older viewers (I am in that group), we grew up either in the 60's, 70's or 80's, when TV was at its best - especially in the 1970's.
We remember the good ole days of TV, and that would be a major reason why we are reluctant to completely get rid of traditional TV watching.

If I first discovered TV in the last 2 decades or so, I would probably not have a TV today.

I agree and well said.

05-15-2018, 01:13 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,620	Why traditional TV is in trouble: The Top 9 network shows have a median age in the 50 ...s https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/13/b...vertising.html The median age of The Good Doctor and The Big Bang Theory viewers is in their late 50s, while Roseanne, This Is Us and Will & Grace have a median viewership in the early 50s. "The hottest shows on TV networks — which command the highest ad prices — are attracting older viewers, which is a challenge for brands that want to reach millennials and teens," says The New York Times. "For instance, this season’s top-rated show, the revival of Roseanne, has a median viewer age of 52.9 years. The network show with the lowest median age is Riverdale on the CW, at 37.2."

05-15-2018, 12:12 PM	#4
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	I read last week that another 3/4 million households have cut the cord during the first quarter of this year , and their is no end in sight for when this trend will end. Some networks plan to curtail advertising, but nothing is certain at this time. May is a "sweeps" month, where the networks do what they can to attract audiences, so they can determine what they can charge their advertisers. These sweeps used to be a time where one could watch some choice programming (a lot of mini-series used to air at this time), but this trend jumped the shark many moons ago. Today it's simply a time where reruns cease to be shown.
	__________________ Grail Shows: *Doc Elliot, Owen Marshall-Counselor of Law, Here's Boomer, Three for the Road, Holmes and YoYo* Bucket List Shows: *Hot Wheels, Skyhawks, Run Joe Run, Westwood*

05-15-2018, 03:00 PM	#6
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Don't feel sorry for them one bit.It's been 3 years since I was in the demographic so they don't care about me then I don't care about them.
	__________________ Sonny

05-15-2018, 04:25 PM	#8
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,257	The only CURRENT shows I watch are "Days of our Lives", "Wheel of Fortune", "Jeopardy!", "Roseanne", "Judge Judy", & "RuPaul's Drag Race"...that's it. Other than that, I watch MeTV, "Hee Haw" Sunday nights on RFD, and whatever sitcoms are on Logo. I also watch a lot of DVDs from my collection.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

05-15-2018, 09:33 AM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,532	Obviously, this doesn't bode well for them. Traditional TV, so-called "free", needs to change. The 50 and over crowd are being priced out of the market by cable TV, and the cash cow that the networks and local stations have now, will come crashing down.

05-15-2018, 11:35 AM	#3
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	I am 51 years old. I have said this before, but in my opinion for the most part, present network television is 90 percent garbage. I currently watch three network sitcoms (Young Sheldon, Mom and Roseanne) and really, that's about it. Not to mention the looooong and obnoxious commercials. Living overseas, I watch TV online. There is a website I use to watch shows without commercials. Or I watch YouTube which has lots and lots and lots of old programming, documentaries, films, just almost everything. If and when I do move back to the USA, I probably won't even own a television, or if I have one, will not pay for cable, satellite or whatever. Just hook the TV to a computer and go from there. You also have to consider that there are many, many more choices now in programming than even twenty or even ten years ago. I would think most younger people are not watching TV, and choosing instead to use the Internet and other platforms. One can go to almost any business that serves customers (for instance, a Starbucks, McDonalds, or even the local strip club) where there is WIFI and one can break out their portable device and watch TV. Ome can watch a show anytime and not restrained to a certain time the networks decide to show a program. It is a whole new World.

05-15-2018, 01:55 PM	#5
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Do young people even watch TV the old fashioned way anymore?By young I mean under age 25 or so.

05-15-2018, 03:12 PM	#7
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,532	I wonder if the total, average desired demographics are on a continuous, downward trend.

05-16-2018, 04:07 PM	#12
Dianne3 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2002 Posts: 1,057	The older viewers (I am in that group), we grew up either in the 60's, 70's or 80's, when TV was at its best - especially in the 1970's. We remember the good ole days of TV, and that would be a major reason why we are reluctant to completely get rid of traditional TV watching. If I first discovered TV in the last 2 decades or so, I would probably not have a TV today.