Mark Holtz
02-24-03, 02:55 PM
From Yahoo/Reuters (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=772&e=2&cid=597&u=/nm/20030224/tv_nm/television_reality_dc):
TV Networks Struggle to Get Grip on Reality
NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker recently called the about-to-wrap February "sweeps" -- marked by record ratings for a slew of unscripted series and a seemingly endless parade of Michael Jackson specials -- the "most ridiculous" ratings survey ever.
Maybe so, but to other industry observers, Zucker's comment reflected the frustrated cry of a network executive coming to grips with the notion that so-called "reality" shows are not the passing fad many thought them to be less than a year ago.
The genre once derided as "ratings crack" has now emerged as a basic staple of the network diet, right up there with traditional sitcoms and dramas.
Consider: During the final full week of the February sweeps (Feb. 17-23) barely 35 percent of the programming aired by the Big Four broadcasters (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) consisted of original scripted series. In addition to news magazines, movies and seven full hours of Jacko-related programs, the networks ran a whopping 22.5 hours of reality fare, compared with 19 hours of dramas and just 5 1/2 hours of comedies.
Full article here (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=772&e=2&cid=597&u=/nm/20030224/tv_nm/television_reality_dc)
TV Networks Struggle to Get Grip on Reality
NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker recently called the about-to-wrap February "sweeps" -- marked by record ratings for a slew of unscripted series and a seemingly endless parade of Michael Jackson specials -- the "most ridiculous" ratings survey ever.
Maybe so, but to other industry observers, Zucker's comment reflected the frustrated cry of a network executive coming to grips with the notion that so-called "reality" shows are not the passing fad many thought them to be less than a year ago.
The genre once derided as "ratings crack" has now emerged as a basic staple of the network diet, right up there with traditional sitcoms and dramas.
Consider: During the final full week of the February sweeps (Feb. 17-23) barely 35 percent of the programming aired by the Big Four broadcasters (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) consisted of original scripted series. In addition to news magazines, movies and seven full hours of Jacko-related programs, the networks ran a whopping 22.5 hours of reality fare, compared with 19 hours of dramas and just 5 1/2 hours of comedies.
Full article here (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=772&e=2&cid=597&u=/nm/20030224/tv_nm/television_reality_dc)