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The strike strikes again — at network ratingsWe all know about the writers' strike. It happened. It's over. Our shows have finally come back to us, and regardless of the shortened seasons, we're grateful. So why is it still relevant?
Well, besides the lingering financial impact it's having on crew members, the strike also seems to be hampering the ratings at every network. ABC, CBS and NBC have seen sharp double-digit drops in their viewership over the past month, and not even May sweeps can save them. No one is immune from the decline. Not only did highly rated shows Grey's Anatomy and Ugly Betty see their lowest ratings ever last week, but usual ratings juggernaut American Idol is feeling it, too. Despite holding the top two spots in weekly ratings consistently, Idol is not bringing in viewers like it did in the past. AOL News reports that Idol producers are even surveying viewers to determine which changes they would like to see in the program in an effort to give it a much needed makeover before Season 8. But what does this mean for us, you ask? Good question. For one, it means that some "bubble shows" like AfterEllen.com favorite Women's Murder Club will have a better shot at being renewed. It does not appear, however, that this will translate for Cashmere Mafia.
A recent Los Angeles Times article has referred to this past year as "the worst season in the history of the network TV business," and with the possibility of another strike (this time, the Screen Actors Guild) looming this summer, it doesn't look like things will be improving anytime soon. One thing the Times article does note, however, is that many "female-skewing" shows (specifically Desperate Housewives and Dancing With the Stars) seem to be bucking the trend. This is good news for us. If shows with a largely female demographic come out (so to speak) as the shows with the capability of surviving the ratings drop, then those will be the types of shows that advertisers buy into, and could possibly result in a wider variety of women-oriented programming. With all the uncertainty surrounding the biz these days, we're more than likely in for a few surprise cancellations/renewals as the fall lineups are revealed. What shows are you hoping for/don't care about? Are you watching less television than during those pre-strike days? Do tell. Submitted by on May 7, 2008 - 3:00pm. |
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Women's Murder Club
I really hope they renew Women's Murder Club, although we really need to get more people watching by the season finale next week if there's to be much hope. There was so much potential there with really strong female characters, all excellent at their jobs and working together to solve murders. But they need to give it a second season for it to really blossom, because with only three post-strike episodes (and only one more remaining), the storyline will just feel rushed.
We need to support our female-centric television shows, so if you get the chance, tune in on Tuesday @ 10pm.
While the strike is over, not all the scripted shows are back.
So what do the networks expect? I have been watching my favorites that are back but I would rather balance my checkbook then watch most of the reality tv that's on.
Barely
Lindsey and Caitlin! =)
I just want Women's Murder Club and Cashmere Mafia be renewed. (PLEASE! Someone?) Of the oldies I'm most excited about Bones, SVU and House! =)
I came out to my mom!
Not gonna lie
YOU KNOW WHY??
YOU KNOW WHY TV RATINGS ARE SO LOW?
Because they only count LIVE VIEWERS, and more and more people are buying DVR's like TiVo or the ones from Directv, etc. Most people record their stuff and watch it later, or buy them off iTunes, or watch them online.
But they REFUSE, time and time again to count people who watch the shows later! It's so infuriating! Do they really think nobody's watching, all of the sudden?
Until they realize that technology has once again changed the face of a market, they are never going to have reliable statistics. Even if you watch a commercial in fast forward, you still see it.
This is why (in my opinion) complete garbage shows like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars are the highest-rated shows on television...they require LIVE viewers so that people can vote. Gasp! Did NO ONE else figure this out?
Apologies for the capslock and the bitter rage but it drives me insane that brilliant shows like "Lost" get talked about like their ratings are going down when really, they aren't going down...people can't take it all in live, you have to be able to pause and rewind to catch everything on those shows. Only fluff reality shows are good enough the first time, and that's it.
I agree. They need to find a
agree
Yeah I totally agree! And not to forget all the international people, like me, that can't wait to finally watch it on tv in their own country, if it even airs there. I pretty much wach everything online, since I don't want to wait months or even years!!
http://www.youtube.com/BetweenThaLines
bad timing?
in my opinion, the timing for the comeback just seems really terrible. i don't know how large the college student demographic is, but if it's at all significant, the timing may be to blame for the bad ratings. the shows seem to have been gone just long enough to throw everyone off of their normal routine of watching, and now everyone i know has been so wrapped up in school these last few weeks that TV is the last thing on anyone's mind. i doubt half of them even know the shows are back, let alone watch.
oh, not me though. never miss grey's!
hmm
Since there was nothing on TV for months i got used to just doing my homework instead. Now i always forget that anythings on and even when i do remember i don't care enough to look for the remote, lol.
Yuppppp
The strike lasted so long that I just kind of stopped turning on the TV. I started doing other things instead. I didn't even know at first that any of the shows were back on because of finals. I love Grey's Anatomy and didn't even know it was back until the episode had already aired. I think everyone just got out of their normal TV watching routine.
Tutto Succede Per Una Ragione
I liked all the the courageous women.
Love Effie Ferns!
Kisses!!@@
It's being good this time these young goodlooking women are doing great! And be successful!!