You don't cancel shows on the assumption that the next show will do better. You cancel them on the grounds that they're not doing well enough, and are unlikely to do so in the future. If every network decision to keep a show on was based on "Well maybe the next show will do worse!", then a lot of huge hits would have never happened, because the slots for them would never have opened up.
You spin the dice, and if it doesn't work out, you spin again. You keep spinning until you hit it big--or at least big enough.
Without a Trace ran 7 seasons. Oh yeah, they didn't support it at all.
Originally posted by Bruce: BTW, WlcmZ, this analysis is way too much work for someone not getting paid to do it
I will touch on one point. I think they will have to ask themselves that if they think GW and Medium really have any life left whether or not they should be wasted on friday esp. since they have a quasi-friday situation going on a more important nite, Sunday.
quote:
Originally posted by WlcmZapataTexas: I have to agree. Mid-season, I'd move Numbers to 10 PM. Cold Case shifts to 9 PM. CBS needs to think long term on both their Friday and their Sunday schedule.
Flashpoint's best chance at being a long term solution is Fridays at 10 PM and should be scheduled there. Medium should run straight through its episodes at 9 PM. Then The Bridge should come in when the 22 episodes are over and fill in at 9 PM. If The Bridge pulls in anything near the ratings of Medium, it should take the 9 PM Friday spot. It's much cheaper than Medium and thus a better option for a Friday cost cutting plan. I'll get to where Medium moves to later. Ghost Whisperer is an ABC property and they are paying a huge licensing fee for a show that is declining. It's a financial decision and one that is a close call. Does CBS want to spend all of that money on an expensive license when they have Medium that could earn close to Ghost Whisperer's ratings at 8 PM and is cheaper? If they decide yes to Ghost Whisperer, then Ghost Whisperer is at 8 PM, The Bridge at 9 PM, Flashpoint at 10 PM next year. Medium moves to Sundays at 10 PM to hopefully fill that gap. If no to Ghost Whisperer, then Medium at 8 PM, The Bridge at 9 PM, Flashpoint at 10 PM. If The Bridge fails and yes to Ghost Whisperer, Ghost Whisperer at 8 PM, Medium at 9 PM, Flashpoint at 10 PM. If The Bridge fails and no to Ghost Whisperer, Medium at 8 PM, something cheap and co-production or 48 Hours Mystery (while looking for a cheap co-production) at 9 PM, Flashpoint at 10 PM. Sundays should be completely redone with a very strong, high profile show at 9 PM. Cold Case and Numbers will likely end.
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Originally posted by Julie:
Like I said, for now, there's no point in plugging in something new on Sundays. They'd be best to just shift Cold Case to 9pm and air repeats at 10pm until midseason.
While Ghost Whisperer is an ABC property, I believe CBS gets money from the DVD releases, as they produce those. So, with that added in, GW still makes money for them. But, is there a chance CBS would let it go, especially after this already low rated season? Sure.
While GW/Mediums numbers are still okay for Friday, I think both would do considerably better on Sundays, airing at 9 and 10pm. Both were once young-skewing shows, and have only recently lost a large portion of their young demo. With Amazing Race being very young skewing, GW and Medium could gain back the audience and the demo airing on Sundays. Plus, Medium vs. Brothers and Sisters could prove to be very fruitful for CBS. I agree that both still have plenty of life in them and plenty of stories to tell, and if CBS wants to continue them past this season, they have to rethink their Friday schedule.
Or, like Wlcm said, they could just axe GW altogether, since Medium could easily be a good Friday 8pm replacement for it. I think they'll make that decision at the end of the season, but if they do decide to keep Medium over GW, I can only see it going to 2 slots - Fridays at 8pm or Sundays at 10pm. And I'm sure ABC would die to get Ghost Whisperer on their Friday lineup.
Seriously, 1.6 demo for Three Rivers? This is November Sweeps for godsakes - how much longer is CBS going to put up with this nonsense? Meanwhile, Cold Case once again showed signs of life. It can be doing much better at 9pm. I don't know what they're thinking.
Seriously WTF CBS, you have TAR (with a pretty poor lead in in adults 18-49) hitting a season highin viewers and a near season high in demos and then Three Rivers is only holding 48% of that demo.
WHy not just cancel TAR, if you want your lineup to suck.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by mswood: ^ It was never formally announced, but a producer mentioned a season 16 and filming is planned to start soon, though they have planned out routes before getting approval from CBS.QUOTE]
Originally posted by mswood: [QUOTE]Originally posted by mswood: ^ It was never formally announced, but a producer mentioned a season 16 and filming is planned to start soon, though they have planned out routes before getting approval from CBS.QUOTE]
That is awful, but one certainly compare it to broadcast as it does have revenue outside just commercials. Still awful. And does Showtime ahve anything that they feel would perform to that same low level.
*Hey, didn't somebody recently say no show could be considered successful if it retains less than 50% of its lead-in?
Well it wasn't *me* ;P
I was very tempted to put in a note about the horrible retention (and this week Californication doesn't have the excuse I gave it last week when Dexter only ran 49 minutes giving the audience 11 minutes to walk away... only 4 minutes this week).
Airing a comedy after a drama never seems to work and that applies to HBO too, Both Hung and Entourage got 3m+ airing afrer True Blood so it not exclusive to Showtime.
Dexter beat both Curb and Bored to Death so clearly Showtime isn't the failure pisher makes it out to be and Californication despite the horrible retention beat Bored to Death too, something tells HBO may be regretting renewing it.
