Keeping TV Studies students informed of news, views, and reviews about television
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Enlightened Essays
More Enlightened appreciation, from a roundtable at The Awl and from the LA Review of Books. And Mike White addresses why men are reluctant to watch women on TV. And Kate Aurthur talks to White. I also highly recommend the WTF podcast interview with White.
Labels:
characters,
criticism,
enlightened,
gender,
hbo,
narrative,
quality tv,
renewals,
showrunners,
spectatorship,
writing
Sinclair Buying
Sinclair Broadcast Group is picking up more stations. Michael Malone also has coverage.
Labels:
directv,
retransmission,
sinclair,
station groups,
station ownership
Political Procedurals
Alyssa Rosenberg notes the rise of politics represented in procedural form in shows like House of Cards and Parks & Rec.
Labels:
house of cards,
narrative,
parks and recreation,
procedural
Slovis & Breaking Bad
Creative COW Magazine presents an essay written by Breaking Bad cinematographer Michael Slovis about his work for the show.
Labels:
aesthetics,
breaking bad,
cinematography,
directing,
narrative
Pilots & Directors
Jaime Weinman checks out which directors are working on pilots this development season.
Labels:
development,
directing,
drama,
pilots,
sitcoms
Community Assesed
Joel Keller points to sitcom aging as Community's problem, rather than the absence of a particular creative figure. Todd VanDerWerff also considers what's up with Community in his review of tonight's episode.
Labels:
characters,
community,
convention,
dan harmon,
narrative,
sitcoms,
writing
Dish Gets Small Victory
ESPN has been ordered to pay Dish Network for a breach-of-contract claim involving ESPN Deportes carriage fees, but Dish sought much more than it received. More from Bloomnerg.
Labels:
carriage,
carriage fees,
dish network,
espn,
espn deportes,
law
Duck Dynasty Ratings
Duck Dynasty just keeps rolling on and rolling over the networks in 18-49.
Labels:
a+e,
cable,
demographics,
duck dynasty,
networks,
ratings
Content is King
Lindsay Rubino covers a cable exec panel where consensus was that quality content is helping cable beat the networks.
Labels:
a+e,
cable,
channel branding,
history channel,
lifetime,
networks,
ratings,
the walking dead,
turner
David Brent Returns
Ricky Gervais is resurrecting David Brent for a Comic Relief charity telethon next month.
Labels:
bbc,
characters,
charity,
comedy,
international,
ricky gervais,
the office
Wednesday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
-Total Viewers: Fox: 13.15 million, CBS: 9.76, ABC: 6.87, NBC: 5.16, CW: 2.75
-Adults 18-49: Fox: 3.8 rating/11 share, CBS: 2.4/ 6, ABC: 2.2/ 6, NBC: 1.6/ 4, CW: 0.9/ 3
-----
- Winners: American Idol (Fox), Arrow (CW), Modern Family (ABC), Criminal Minds (CBS)
- Honorable Mention: Survivor: Caramoan (CBS), Chicago Fire (NBC)
- Losers: Whitney (NBC), Guys With Kids (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted
-Total Viewers: Fox: 13.15 million, CBS: 9.76, ABC: 6.87, NBC: 5.16, CW: 2.75
-Adults 18-49: Fox: 3.8 rating/11 share, CBS: 2.4/ 6, ABC: 2.2/ 6, NBC: 1.6/ 4, CW: 0.9/ 3
-----
- Winners: American Idol (Fox), Arrow (CW), Modern Family (ABC), Criminal Minds (CBS)
- Honorable Mention: Survivor: Caramoan (CBS), Chicago Fire (NBC)
- Losers: Whitney (NBC), Guys With Kids (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted
Labels:
daily ratings,
wednesday ratings
Switched at Birth in ASL
Jace Lacob discusses an upcoming episode of Switched at Birth that will show the characters communicating almost entirely via American Sign Language.
Labels:
abc family,
aesthetics,
characters,
disability,
education,
language,
representation,
sound,
switched at birth
WWE & Beck
Andrew Zolides delves how the WWE is taking advantage of right-wing furor over one of its characters via Glenn Beck.
Labels:
characters,
glenn beck,
marketing,
politics,
representation,
wwe
iPlayer on Smartphones
BBC iPlayer figures are rising particularly thanks to viewing on smartphones, and tablet viewing is also rising quickly.
Labels:
bbc,
britain,
international,
iplayer,
mobile,
spectatorship,
streaming,
tablets
Murphy at PaleyFest
Lesley Goldberg covers the honoring of Ryan Murphy at PaleyFest.
Labels:
paley center,
ryan murphy
Hiding the TV
Interesting question in the NYT Home & Garden section: should home sellers hide their big TVs during showings?
Labels:
tv sets
Hopper Tweet
Dish Network paid Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco to tweet about the Hopper DVR, and Dish says CBS demanded the tweet's removal, while CBS says that's not true. Wayne Friedman adds thoughts. In a related story, Knowledge@Wharton discusses the hazards of celebrity Twitter endorsements.
Labels:
cbs,
dish network,
hopper,
marketing,
social media,
stardom/celebrity,
twitter
Good TVeets
Working on some Community fan fiction. Here goes: "Dan Harmon comes back."
— Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) February 28, 2013
Wanna know what you’re playing for? A copy of the DSM V and a carton of anti-psychotic medications! #survivor
— Max Dawson (@fymaxwell) February 28, 2013
Facebook post options should be: Like, Comment, I Swear I Would Watch 'Enlightened' If I Had HBO
— Ari Scott (@ariscott) February 27, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Content Ratings PR
Joe Flint says Hollywood is trying to broaden awareness of content ratings in the wake of parental concerns about violent media.
Walking Dead Info
Alan Sepinwall reports on the new Walking Dead showrunner and start of season 4 production.
Labels:
amc,
production,
showrunners,
the walking dead
Making New Girl
Alan Sepinwall takes us behind-the-scenes of how a New Girl episode gets written.
Labels:
new girl,
production,
showrunners,
sitcoms,
writing
Tuesday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
- Total Viewers: CBS: 15.92 million, ABC: 5.80, Fox: 3.56, NBC: 3.44, CW: 1.15
- Adults 18-49: CBS: 2.7 rating/8 share, ABC and Fox: 1.7/ 5 each, NBC: 1.1/ 3, CW: 0.5/ 1
-----
- Winners: NCIS (CBS), NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS)
- Honorable Mention: Celebrity Wife Swap (ABC)
- Disappointing: Golden Boy (CBS)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers.
Analysis from Hitfix and Spotted.
- Total Viewers: CBS: 15.92 million, ABC: 5.80, Fox: 3.56, NBC: 3.44, CW: 1.15
- Adults 18-49: CBS: 2.7 rating/8 share, ABC and Fox: 1.7/ 5 each, NBC: 1.1/ 3, CW: 0.5/ 1
-----
- Winners: NCIS (CBS), NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS)
- Honorable Mention: Celebrity Wife Swap (ABC)
- Disappointing: Golden Boy (CBS)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers.
Analysis from Hitfix and Spotted.
Labels:
daily ratings,
tuesday ratings
US & UK TV Ads
British media exec Jim Marshall watched some US TV during a trip to the States and comments on comparisons between US and UK advertising.
Labels:
advertising,
britain,
international,
local
No House of Cards
Michael Byrne discusses not being able to watch House of Cards due to insufficient internet service availability.
Labels:
broadband,
house of cards,
internet,
netflix,
streaming,
technology
Nickelodeon Upfront
Jeanine Poggi covers Nickelodeon's upfront presentation, which finds the channel focusing on the next generation of kids.
Labels:
advertising,
channel branding,
children,
marketing,
nickelodeon,
upfronts
Set-Top Box Energy
Rep. Ed Markey praises pay TV companies for making more energy efficient set-top boxes.
Labels:
industry,
pay tv,
politics,
set-top boxes,
technology
Teen TV Sex
Alyssa Rosenberg praises Bunheads and Parenthood for smart depictions of teen sex.
Labels:
bunheads,
parenthood,
representation,
sex,
teens
Variety Revamp
Variety is getting new editors and a new look, and it's also dropping the paywall and Daily Variety. Sharon Waxman has analysis, as does Matthew Ingram.
Good TVeets
So many friends are suddenly telling me about #Enlightened I can't tell if it's a TV show or a pyramid scheme
— Matthew Hunziker (@DogCitizen) February 26, 2013
When "New Girl" recruits for the S.3 writers' room, the ONLY question should be "Do you have any ideas for Winston?"
— Daniel Fienberg (@HitFixDaniel) February 27, 2013
Raylan shot someone last week, so this episode will just be him filling out paperwork for 47 mins while Art yells at him. #JustifiedFX
— edsbs (@edsbs) February 27, 2013
Warning: Justified spoilers at the end.
Labels:
tveets
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Idol Tweeting
American Idol will now incorporate live Twitter polls.
Labels:
american idol,
graphics,
interactivity,
live,
social media,
twitter
Ownership Delay
There's another delay in the FCC's consideration of media ownership rules, as the possible impact on minority ownership is now being studied.
Labels:
broadcasting,
diversity,
fcc,
industry,
race/ethnicity,
regulation,
station ownership
NBC Thursday
Meg James looks at what's gone wrong with NBC's Thursday nights, which used to be its golden night.
Labels:
2012-13 season,
nbc,
programming,
ratings,
scheduling,
thursday
CBS Wins Sweeps
CBS won sweeps in total viewers once again, but more notable is it also won in 18-49 for the first time in a very long time.
Labels:
2012-13 season,
cbs,
demographics,
networks,
ratings,
sweeps
VFX Anger
Visual effects artists protested at the Oscars, and Drew McWeeny lays out the issues.
Labels:
conglomeration,
industry,
labor,
movies,
unions,
visual/special effects
Monday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
- Total Viewers: ABC: 9.64 million, Fox: 8.56, CBS: 8.21, NBC: 4.88, CW: 839,000
- Adults 18-49: ABC; 2.7 rating/7 share, Fox: 2.5/ 7, CBS: 2.5/ 6, NBC: 1.8/ 5, CW: 0.4/ 1
-----
- Winners: The Bachelor (ABC), How I Met Your Mother (CBS), Bones (Fox), 2 Broke Girls (CBS), Mike Molly (CBS), The Following (Fox), Castle (ABC)
- Losers: The Carrie Diaries (CW), 90210 (CW), Deception (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted
- Total Viewers: ABC: 9.64 million, Fox: 8.56, CBS: 8.21, NBC: 4.88, CW: 839,000
- Adults 18-49: ABC; 2.7 rating/7 share, Fox: 2.5/ 7, CBS: 2.5/ 6, NBC: 1.8/ 5, CW: 0.4/ 1
-----
- Winners: The Bachelor (ABC), How I Met Your Mother (CBS), Bones (Fox), 2 Broke Girls (CBS), Mike Molly (CBS), The Following (Fox), Castle (ABC)
- Losers: The Carrie Diaries (CW), 90210 (CW), Deception (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted
Labels:
daily ratings,
monday ratings
Bunheads Plea
In his review of the season finale of Bunheads, which hasn't been renewed yet, James Poniewozik explains why TV needs a show like this on the air.
A CW Hit
Spotted tries to determine what ratings mark might define a hit for The CW.
Labels:
demographics,
ratings,
the cw
Movie Problems
The Economist says the movie business is struggling, while the TV business is holding steady for conglomerates.
Labels:
conglomeration,
distribution,
industry,
movies,
production,
revenue,
spectatorship,
video-on-demand
Set-Top Box Data
David Goetzl highlights the pros and cons of set-top box operators sharing viewing data.
Sports Media Diversity
Richard Lapchick says the sports media get low scores for diversity hiring, with ESPN as the only semi-bright spot.
Labels:
diversity,
espn,
gender,
internet,
labor,
newspapers,
race/ethnicity,
sports
6 Million Dollar Man & Bionic Woman
Noel Murray continues his Very Special Episode series with a Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman crossover. Jaime Weinman chimes in about "lunchbox television."
Labels:
drama,
history,
narrative,
science fiction/fantasy
Digital Newfronts
Brian Steinberg explains why the "digital newfronts" for digital ad inventory don't yet measure up to the TV upfronts.
On 30 Rock
Eleanor Patterson reflects on 30 Rock's feminist status and its self-reflective format.
Labels:
30 rock,
characters,
comedy,
gender,
race/ethnicity,
representation,
sitcoms,
stardom/celebrity,
tina fey
DirecTV Blackouts
With the Sinclair battle still brewing, DirecTV has lost three Alaskan ABC affiliates due to a retrans dispute.
Labels:
abc,
affiliates,
carriage,
directv,
pay tv,
retransmission,
satellite
Cable v. Netflix
Benjamin Lennett discusses how cable companies are allegedly trying to thwart Netflix with broadband-usage caps.
Labels:
broadband,
cable,
cable operators,
comcast,
netflix,
streaming,
time warner cable
Netflix & Originals
Andrew Wallenstein reports on Reed Hastings' insistence that originals are not the main focus at Netflix right now. Hasting also said the upcoming Arrested Development episodes are a one-off deal, though he's hopeful for more. And Netflix won't talk House of Cards numbers. Hastings thinks TV Everywhere could pose a challenge to Netflix.
Labels:
arrested development,
house of cards,
netflix,
ratings,
streaming,
tv everywhere,
web series
Reality Accidents
A cameraman and pilot were killed in Kenya on a reality TV shoot for Discovery, and the NTSB has released a preliminary report on the earlier helicopter crash that killed three people working on another Discovery shoot. Related, a recent episode of KCRW's The Business podcast focused on reality TV dangers.
Labels:
controversy,
labor,
production,
reality tv
Advertising Spirits
Bailey's Irish Cream was the latest to cross the long-standing barrier against liquor ads on network TV with a commercial late in the Oscars broadcast.
Labels:
abc,
academy awards,
advertising,
broadcasting,
decency,
networks,
regulation
ABC Everywhere
Harry A. Jessell says ABC is pitching a TV Everywhere plan to affiliates.
Labels:
abc,
affiliates,
broadcasting,
disney,
mobile,
networks,
pay tv,
streaming,
tv everywhere
Game of Thrones Game
Facebook is hosting a Game of Thrones game.
Labels:
facebook,
game of thrones,
gaming/consoles,
hbo,
marketing,
social media,
transmedia
Oscar News
Oscar ratings were up over last year, especially in 18-49. Graeme McMillan explains how Twitter coordinated celebrity tweeting tied to the Oscars, and Simon Dumenco highlights the five most-tweeted moments during the broadcast.
Labels:
academy awards,
age,
demographics,
marketing,
ratings,
social media,
stardom/celebrity,
twitter
Good TVeets
I will give the Oscars this: it's Monday morning, my Twitter feed is all about sexism and boobs, yet none of it has to do with Lena Dunham.
— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) February 25, 2013
How people did or did not respond to the onion now joins my R.Kelly litmus test for people I wouldn't trust around my purse or my rights
— tressie mc (@tressiemcphd) February 25, 2013
Remember when the Netflix guy was like "Quickster" and then they had to put him down?
— Nack (@juniorshabidoo) February 26, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Monday, February 25, 2013
Pilot Activity
Michael Schneider reports that the networks are going all out this pilot season, given all the flops this year.
Labels:
2013-14 season,
development,
networks,
pilots
Sunday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
- Total Viewers:
ABC: 32.43 million, CBS: 5.69, Fox: 2.87, NBC: 2.80
- Adults 18-49:
ABC: 10.1 rating/25 share, Fox: 1.3/ 3, CBS: 1.1/ 3, NBC: 0.8/ 2
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
Early numbers show Oscar ratings were up. Richard Rushfield offers reasons why.
- Total Viewers:
ABC: 32.43 million, CBS: 5.69, Fox: 2.87, NBC: 2.80
- Adults 18-49:
ABC: 10.1 rating/25 share, Fox: 1.3/ 3, CBS: 1.1/ 3, NBC: 0.8/ 2
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
Early numbers show Oscar ratings were up. Richard Rushfield offers reasons why.
Labels:
academy awards,
daily ratings,
sunday ratings
Aereo Expansion
Aereo is expanding to three new states and launching a new ad campaign targeting cord cutters.
Labels:
aereo,
broadcasting,
cord cutting,
digital,
marketing
Nickelodeon's App
Natan Edelsburg talks to a Nickelodeon digital exec about the channel's new iPad app.
Labels:
apps,
children,
interactivity,
ipad,
itunes,
nickelodeon,
spectatorship
What Women Watch
Sam Thielman highlights shows with significant female viewership (link fixed) that some may find surprising, like The Walking Dead.
Netflix Data
David Carr discusses how Netflix's data collection played a role in forming House of Cards. Jessica Leber also discusses this, as does Peter Kafka.
Labels:
casting,
directing,
house of cards,
narrative,
netflix,
social media,
spectatorship,
streaming,
writing
Complaint Backlog
Harry Cole says the FCC finally seems to realize it needs to tackle its backlog of complaints.
Labels:
decency,
fcc,
regulation
New In Media Res
Theme: Taste and Awards Culture
- Monday, February 25, 2013 - Sarah Martindale (Horizon Digital Economy Research, University of Nottingham) presents: "Art and Life combining is called Magic": Mythologizing the Film Industry In and Through Shakespeare in Love
- Tuesday, February 26, 2013 - Sam Ward (University of Nottingham) presents: ‘Amongst Friends Here Tonight’: National Awards for International Television
- Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - Ryan Castillo (Clemson University) presents: Authenticity, The Academy, and the Commodification of Activism: How Oscar Acceptance Becomes Political Platform
- Thursday, February 28, 2013- Eva Hageman (New York University) presents: A Taste for Reality
- Friday, March 1, 2013 - Lauren Cramer (Georgia State University) presents: In Good Taste? The BET Awards and the Burden of Representation
Labels:
activism,
awards,
bet,
international,
movies,
politics,
race/ethnicity,
stardom/celebrity,
taste culture
Enlightened is the Best
Todd VanDerWerff explains why everyone should be watching Enlightened.
Labels:
characters,
criticism,
enlightened,
hbo,
narrative,
ratings,
review,
satire
Oscar Reviews
Some reviews of the Oscar broadcast from James Poniewozik, Alan Sepinwall, Tim Goodman, Jaime Weinman, Robert Bianco, Hank Stuever, Caryn James, Brian Lowry, Linda Holmes, Ken Levine, Spencer Kornhaber, Alyssa Rosenberg, Willa Paskin, Andrew O'Hehir, Amy Davidson, Margaret Lyons, Erin Copple Smith. If you missed the broadcast, you can stream it on Hulu for the next few days. (Though after reading these reviews, you might want to skip it.) This may set a precedent.
Labels:
academy awards,
awards,
comedy,
gender,
hulu,
representation,
review,
seth macfarlane,
streaming
Good TVeets
It's not Seth MacFarlane's fault, guys. It's just that men aren't funny.
— Allie M. (@alliemyerz) February 25, 2013
The Oscars is my favorite show about what's inherently wrong with all of us
— Josh Hara (@yoyoha) February 25, 2013
So... people made fun Kristen Stewart because she's blasé and Anne Hathaway because she's earnest. TWITTER MAKE UP YOUR MIND #Oscars2013
— Nathan Bransford (@NathanBransford) February 25, 2013
So Lena Dunham and Quvenzhane Wallis walk into a bar...
— Jeremy Mongeau (@JeremyMonjo) February 25, 2013
Labels:
academy awards,
tveets
Sunday, February 24, 2013
NBC Web Fail
Rick Ellis points to a lousy Guys With Kids tie-in website as representative of NBC's culpability in its ratings problems.
Labels:
guys with kids,
internet,
marketing,
nbc,
ratings,
social media,
spectatorship,
transmedia
Big East-ESPN Deal
ESPN beat out NBC to retain Big East basketball rights. Anthony Crupi says this is a good deal for ESPN.
Labels:
basketball,
espn,
licensing,
nbc,
nbc sports network/versus,
sports
Nielsen Isn't the Future
John C. Abell says even with Nielsen's recent announced expansion, its ratings methods are mired in the past.
Labels:
nielsen,
online tv,
over-the-top,
ratings,
spectatorship,
technology
Good TVeets
Wonder if real politicians look at House of Cards and roll their eyes like I would at a show about watching TV and thinking of tweets.
— Sean Thomason (@TheThomason) February 23, 2013
If #Enlightened were on broadcast TV, Laura Dern would play the mother, but who would play Amy & who would play the guy trying to kill her?
— Robert D Sullivan (@RobertDSullivan) February 24, 2013
Life is what happens while Netflix is buffering.
— Joseph Scrimshaw (@JosephScrimshaw) February 24, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Hopper Advertising
Dish Network found a way to advertise the Hopper DVR on Fox despite all the networks' refusing to run ads for it: sponsoring a NASCAR driver.
Labels:
advertising,
dish network,
fox,
hopper,
networks,
racing
Friday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
-Total Viewers: CBS: 9.26 million, ABC: 5.92, NBC: 5.65, Fox: 2.81, CW: 949,000
-Adults 18-49: ABC: 1.5 rating/5 share, CBS: 1.4/ 4, NBC: 1.3/ 4, Fox: 0.9/ 3, CW: 0.3/ 1
-----
-Winners: Shark Tank (ABC), Blue Bloods (CBS)
-Losers: Malibu Country (ABC), Kitchen Nightmares (Fox), Touch (Fox), Rock Center With Rock Center (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
-Total Viewers: CBS: 9.26 million, ABC: 5.92, NBC: 5.65, Fox: 2.81, CW: 949,000
-Adults 18-49: ABC: 1.5 rating/5 share, CBS: 1.4/ 4, NBC: 1.3/ 4, Fox: 0.9/ 3, CW: 0.3/ 1
-----
-Winners: Shark Tank (ABC), Blue Bloods (CBS)
-Losers: Malibu Country (ABC), Kitchen Nightmares (Fox), Touch (Fox), Rock Center With Rock Center (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
Labels:
daily ratings,
saturday ratings
Apple Shut Out
Robert Hof reports that Apple can't get into the TV market right now because a cable oligopoly backed by the government prevents it.
Labels:
apple,
cable operators,
conglomeration,
industry,
pay tv,
politics,
regulation
Positive TV Pays Off
A new study says watching positive TV shows can improve a child's behavior.
Labels:
children,
effects,
spectatorship
BBC Dysfunction
New internal documents don't portray the BBC in a flattering light.
Labels:
bbc,
britain,
international,
public broadcasting
Fox v. Dish
Fox is going after Dish Network in court again over the Hopper DVR and its new "on the go" features. Tim Carmody has more.
Labels:
auto hop,
dish network,
fox,
hopper,
law,
networks,
tv everywhere
Good TVeets
The five people and one cat in my living room last night made up roughly 80% of NBC's total viewers.
— good charlotte (@pilotbacon) February 22, 2013
"Knock knock!" "Who's there?" "Time Warner Cable box!" "Time Warner Cable box who?" "[turns self off, reboots for 15 minutes] Knock knock!"
— Tim Carvell (@timcarvell) February 22, 2013
American Horror Story is like watching Ryan Murphy play The Sims. He creates a family, builds a house, then removes doors so they starve.
— Jamie Wotton (@Jaymii) February 23, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Friday, February 22, 2013
More Family Programming
Wayne Friedman says marketers yearn for more family programming on the networks.
Mike White Interview
Alison Willmore talks to Mike White about Enlightened.
Labels:
aesthetics,
authorship,
characters,
directing,
enlightened,
hbo,
narrative,
ratings,
writing
Live Matters
Marisa Guthrie and Lacey Rose discuss how important live programming has become to networks in the DVR age.
Labels:
2012-13 season,
ad rates,
advertising,
dvr,
live,
networks,
ratings,
time shifting
New In Media Res
Theme: Awaiting Arrested Development's Return
- Monday, February 18, 2013 - Yashoda Sampath (The Oncoming Hope) presents: The Show That Ate Its Own Tail: Arrested Development
- Tuesday, February 19, 2013 - Chris Tokuhama (University of Southern California) presents: The Most Important Thing Is Family
- Wednesday, February 20, 2013 - Elizabeth Lundberg (University of Iowa) presents: "What Color Was He, Exactly?": Tobias and the Glass Closet
- Thursday, February 21, 2013 - Amit Patel (The University of Kansas) presents: “Every single one of ‘em was from an Arrested Fan”: Jason Bateman’s “Good Guy” Star Image
- Friday, February 22, 2013 - Ross Slutsky (Voice of America) presents: Arrested Development: Fan Culture in the Era of Internet TV and Social Media
Labels:
arrested development,
characters,
comedy,
fandom,
narrative,
netflix,
sitcoms,
social media,
stardom/celebrity,
transmedia
Leslie & Liz
Alyssa Rosenberg compares Liz Lemon's nuptials with Leslie Knope's.
Labels:
30 rock,
characters,
gender,
parks and recreation,
representation
Smart TV Growth
Smart TV sales are growing, if slowly.
Labels:
households,
smart tvs,
technology,
tv sets
Nielsen Covering More
Alex Ben Block reports that Nielsen will expand its definition of TV viewing and "introduce a comprehensive plan to capture all video viewing including broadband and Xbox and iPads." Brian Stelter also reports. Anthony Crupi says we won't see immediate changes from this.
Labels:
gaming/consoles,
ipad,
netflix,
nielsen,
online ratings,
online tv,
over-the-top,
ratings,
spectatorship,
streaming,
tablets,
tv everywhere
Carnivale Plans
Todd VanDerWerff talks with Carnivale creator Daniel Knauf about what his plans for the show were, had it not been cancelled.
Labels:
cancellation,
drama,
finales,
hbo,
narrative
Sitcom Plotting
British writer James Cary continues a series on sitcom writing with a post on plotting.
Labels:
britain,
characters,
comedy,
international,
narrative,
sitcoms,
writing
1950s Network Radio Repeat
Cynthia B. Meyers notes that what TV networks are going through right now is reminiscent of network radio in the 1950s.
Labels:
history,
industry,
networks,
programming,
radio
Thursday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
-Total Viewers: CBS: 13.52 million, Fox: 13.50, ABC: 7.16, NBC: 3.17, CW: 2.22
-Adults 18-49: Fox: 3.9 rating/10 share, CBS: 3.3/ 9, ABC: 2.2/ 6, NBC: 1.2/ 3, CW: 0.9/ 2
-----
-Winners: The Big Bang Theory (CBS), Two and a Half Men (CBS), American Idol (Fox), The Vampire Diaries (CW), Person of Interest (CBS), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Scandal (ABC)
-Honorable Mention: Elementary (CBS)
-Losers: Zero Hour (ABC), Community (NBC), Parks and Recreation (NBC), 1600 Penn (NBC), Beauty and the Beast (CW)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
-Total Viewers: CBS: 13.52 million, Fox: 13.50, ABC: 7.16, NBC: 3.17, CW: 2.22
-Adults 18-49: Fox: 3.9 rating/10 share, CBS: 3.3/ 9, ABC: 2.2/ 6, NBC: 1.2/ 3, CW: 0.9/ 2
-----
-Winners: The Big Bang Theory (CBS), Two and a Half Men (CBS), American Idol (Fox), The Vampire Diaries (CW), Person of Interest (CBS), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Scandal (ABC)
-Honorable Mention: Elementary (CBS)
-Losers: Zero Hour (ABC), Community (NBC), Parks and Recreation (NBC), 1600 Penn (NBC), Beauty and the Beast (CW)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
Labels:
daily ratings,
thursday ratings
Snark & Sweetness
Grant McCracken sees a move away from snark and toward sweetness on TV. (But somehow doesn't mention Parks and Recreation.)
Labels:
advertising,
new girl,
representation
Weather Reports
Mark Jancovich thinks TV weather reports from around the globe should be considered important enough to archive just like scripted shows.
Labels:
archives/museums,
britain,
international,
weather
Sports Fee
Cablevision will add a "sports surcharge" to subscribers' bills to cover the rising costs of sports programming.
American TV in Britain
Wesley Mead outlines what American reality TV shows and sitcoms have (and haven't) played in the UK and how they've done ratings-wise.
Labels:
britain,
globalization,
imports,
international,
ratings,
reality tv,
sitcoms,
spectatorship
Defiance's Audience
Myles McNutt explores what audience Syfy might be targeting with its the upcoming transmedia/gaming show Defiance.
Office Ad Rejected
Scranton's ABC affiliate won't show a Dunder Mifflin ad during the Oscars because it's tied to an NBC show (one set in Scranton, of course).
Labels:
abc,
advertising,
merchandise,
nbc,
paratexts,
the office
Pay TV Drops in Europe
Western European pay TV outlets are seeing subscriber declines.
Labels:
britain,
cord cutting,
europe,
france,
germany,
international,
italy,
pay tv,
spain
Enlightened Analysis
Brandon Nowalk provides close visual analysis of the most recent Enlightened episode.
Labels:
aesthetics,
cinematography,
directing,
enlightened,
narrative
Network Ratings Dip
Toni Fitzgerald analyzes how ratings are down for every network this season.
Labels:
2012-13 season,
abc,
cbs,
fox,
midseason,
nbc,
networks,
ratings,
robert greenblatt,
the cw
NBC Fifth
NBC will finish fifth, behind Univision, in 18-49 ratings this sweeps month. More on NBC's ratings freefall from Chris Harnick and Scott Collins.
Labels:
2012-13 season,
demographics,
midseason,
nbc,
networks,
ratings,
robert greenblatt,
smash,
sweeps,
univision
O'Brien Out
Jeff Zucker has decided Soledad O'Brien is out and Erin Burnett is in at CNN mornings. O'Brien will still produce work for CNN, though. O'Brien speaks about the change.
Labels:
cable news,
cnn,
jeff zucker,
morning,
news,
soledad o'brien
Good TVeets
Chance I quote Leslie Knope's vows at my own wedding: 72 percent. #ParksAndRec
— Alyssa Rosenberg (@AlyssaRosenberg) February 22, 2013
I am getting sadder and sadder. That's what #Community always did to me, right? I can't remember anymore...
— DennisPerkins (@DennisPerkins5) February 22, 2013
As far as I can tell the only job available to recent college grads is writing recaps of TV shows.
— Steve Hely (@helytimes) February 22, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Consolidation Damage
Former FCC chairman Michael Copps says media consolidation is bad for democracy.
Labels:
consolidation,
fcc,
industry,
regulation
Comcast & Gun Ads
Comcast's ad sales arm won't accept gun ads anymore.
Labels:
advertising,
cable,
comcast,
politics,
social issues,
violence
Cartoon Network's Bully Efforts
Cartoon Network is boosting its anti-bullying campaign.
Labels:
activism,
cartoon network,
children,
education,
social issues
Oscar Demos
Brad Adgate wonders if Seth McFarlane will be able to draw younger viewers to the Oscar broadcast.
Labels:
academy awards,
age,
demographics,
ratings,
spectatorship
Americans Renewed
The Americans will be back for a second season on FX.
Labels:
fx,
renewals,
the americans
Wednesday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
- Total Viewers: Fox: 14.24 million, CBS: 10.24, ABC: 6.81, NBC: 5.08, CW: 2.67
- Adults 18-49: Fox: 4.1 rating/11 share, CBS: 2.5/7, ABC: 2.1/ 6, NBC: 1.5/ 4, CW: 0.9/ 3
----------
- Winners: American Idol (Fox), Modern Family (ABC), Criminal Minds (CBS), CSI (CBS)
- Honorable Mention: Survivor: Caramoan (CBS), The Middle (ABC), Chicago Fire (NBC)
- Losers: Whitney (NBC), Guys With Kids (NBC), Suburgatory (ABC), 20/20: Mad About Oscar With Katie Couric (ABC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
- Total Viewers: Fox: 14.24 million, CBS: 10.24, ABC: 6.81, NBC: 5.08, CW: 2.67
- Adults 18-49: Fox: 4.1 rating/11 share, CBS: 2.5/7, ABC: 2.1/ 6, NBC: 1.5/ 4, CW: 0.9/ 3
----------
- Winners: American Idol (Fox), Modern Family (ABC), Criminal Minds (CBS), CSI (CBS)
- Honorable Mention: Survivor: Caramoan (CBS), The Middle (ABC), Chicago Fire (NBC)
- Losers: Whitney (NBC), Guys With Kids (NBC), Suburgatory (ABC), 20/20: Mad About Oscar With Katie Couric (ABC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
Labels:
daily ratings,
wednesday ratings
Breaking Bad Bill
A bill named after Albuquerque's best TV show rolled through the New Mexico house; the bill is aimed at increasing tax incentives for local production.
Labels:
breaking bad,
locations,
production,
tax incentives
Cord Cutting Limits
One consulting firm predicts that second screen apps will help keep cord cutting to a minimum over the next few years; Wayne Friedman also reports. And Todd Spangler says a many people say they want to cord cut, but far fewer follow through.
Next FCC Chief
Julius Genachowski might soon be leaving the FCC; Sam Gustin considers possible successors.
Labels:
fcc
Schur on Finales
Alan Sepinwall talks with Parks & Rec showrunner Michael Schur about writing season finales.
Labels:
finales,
parks and recreation,
sitcoms,
writing
2012 Political Ads
One study finds that TV viewers were subjected to over 3 million political ads last year.
Labels:
advertising,
politics
Showrunner Spec Scripts
A new blog showcases early spec scripts written by now-established showrunners.
Labels:
showrunners,
writing
Good TVeets
Nielsen has also stopped using carbon paper!!RT @thr: Nielsen Agrees to Expand Definition of TV Viewing shar.es/YNGox
— Bernard Gershon (@bgershon) February 21, 2013
No I haven't watched House of Cards yet, but please, keep asking.
— Rob Sheridan (@robertdsheridan) February 21, 2013
My favorite works of recent science fiction are the Taco Bell commercials depicting their food as a recipe created by a human chef.
— Dan Clyne (@danCLYNE) February 21, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Oscar Ads
Stuart Elliot says the Oscars now rival the Super Bowl as a premier showcase for ads.
Labels:
academy awards,
ad rates,
advertising,
super bowl
New Flow Issue
Check out a new Flow featuring Jennifer deWinter and Carly Kocurek with #1reasonwhy Women in the Gaming Industry Matters, Ralph Beliveau with Prisoners of Permission: Advancing the Cause of Fair Use, J.D. Conner with Parkives: Tomorrow’s Residual Media…Today, and Heidi Rae Cooley with Habit-Change in the Mobile Present II: Ghosts of the Horseshoe and Remembering History Otherwise.
Labels:
fair use,
gaming/consoles,
gender,
history,
mobile,
technology
Social Scandal
Bill Keveney discusses how Scandal has built momentum from social media conversations about the show.
Labels:
abc,
ratings,
ratings alternatives/buzz,
scandal,
social media
WWE & Tea Party
Some think WWE is mocking the Tea Party via certain characters.
Labels:
characters,
politics,
wwe
Netflix Impact on Emmys
Michael Schneider considers how Netflix could impact the Emmys.
Labels:
arrested development,
awards,
emmys,
house of cards,
marketing,
netflix,
online video,
streaming,
web series
Wired for CBS
Drawing on ideas about how our hard-wiring might lead us toward particular political ideologies, Robert David Sullivan wonders if this relates similarly to CBS procedurals and violent TV.
Labels:
cbs,
criminal minds,
drama,
elementary,
politics,
procedural,
spectatorship,
the following,
violence
ESPN Headed Toward $7
David Goetzl says we should see ESPN at the $7 carriage fee mark by 2017.
Labels:
carriage fees,
espn,
predictions
Perry to OWN
Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse is shifting from TBS to OWN, which leaves TBS Perry-less for the first time in awhile.
Labels:
channel branding,
for better or worse,
own,
programming,
sitcoms,
tbs,
tyler perry
Judging Friday Numbers
Spotted tries to determine what ratings might make a Friday show qualify as a hit.
Tuesday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
-Total Viewers: CBS: 15.65 million, ABC: 6.56, NBC: 3.68, Fox: 3.48, CW: 1.16
-Adults 18-49: CBS: 2.6 rating/7 share, ABC: 1.8/ 5, Fox: 1.7/ 4, NBC: 1.1/ 3, CW: 0.4/ 1
----------
-Winners: NCIS (CBS), NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS), The Bachelor (ABC)
-Losers: Betty White’s Off Their Rockers (NBC), Raising Hope (Fox), Hart of Dixie (CW), Go On (NBC), The New Normal (NBC), The Mindy Project (Fox), Cult (CW), Smash (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix. Another tough network night.
-Total Viewers: CBS: 15.65 million, ABC: 6.56, NBC: 3.68, Fox: 3.48, CW: 1.16
-Adults 18-49: CBS: 2.6 rating/7 share, ABC: 1.8/ 5, Fox: 1.7/ 4, NBC: 1.1/ 3, CW: 0.4/ 1
----------
-Winners: NCIS (CBS), NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS), The Bachelor (ABC)
-Losers: Betty White’s Off Their Rockers (NBC), Raising Hope (Fox), Hart of Dixie (CW), Go On (NBC), The New Normal (NBC), The Mindy Project (Fox), Cult (CW), Smash (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix. Another tough network night.
Labels:
daily ratings,
tuesday ratings
Nickelodeon App
Amy Chozik checks out Nickelodeon's new app and how it tries to engage kids who may not be that interested in watching TV with it.
Labels:
apps,
children,
gaming/consoles,
interactivity,
nickelodeon,
tv everywhere
Dish-ESPN Deals
Eriq Gardner tells us what we can learn about TV dealmaking from a Dish Network-ESPN legal dispute.
Labels:
carriage,
carriage fees,
dish network,
distribution,
espn,
industry,
law,
pay tv,
satellite,
tiering/neighborhooding
Fox Changes
Michael O'Connell describes some changes at Fox, including a YouTube channel partnership.
Labels:
fox,
multi-platform,
programming,
youtube
Social House of Cards
Natan Edelsburg analyzes social metrics around House of Cards. David Carr also considers some data. Christopher Mims says the release strategy was a mistake because it hasn't generated the sustained social conversation it could have.
Labels:
binge viewing,
house of cards,
social media,
spectatorship,
twitter,
youtube
Costume Awards
Costume Designers Guild Awards were handed out last night; winners included Downton Abbey, American Horror Story and Smash (for the scarves, right?).
Labels:
american horror story,
awards,
costumes,
downton abbey,
smash
Body of Proof
June Thomas looks at how Body of Proof was drastically altered to save it from cancellation.
Labels:
abc,
body of proof,
cancellation,
casting,
narrative,
writing
Firewood TV
Sarah Lyall details why Norwegians have gotten very worked up over a show about firewood. (I don't need to start a label for "firewood" here, do I?)
Labels:
international,
local,
norway,
spectatorship
Robin Roberts Back
Brian Stelter discusses Robin Roberts' return to Good Morning America.
Labels:
good morning america,
morning,
talk
Good TVeets
It'd be great if they taped a season of The Bachelor, but the only part they showed was Chris Harrison telling them none of it would air
— Eric Stangel (@EricStangel) February 20, 2013
I blame everyone who livetweets The Bachelor for Happy Endings not being on tonight
— Bobby Big Wheel (@BobbyBigWheel) February 20, 2013
SMASH is a show about a group of people taking increasingly implausible steps 2 hide the fact that they cast the wrong actor 2 play Marilyn.
— Muffin MacGuffin (@MuffMacGuff) February 20, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Beyonce Ratings
Beyonce's documentary on HBO did well in viewership.
Labels:
documentary,
hbo,
ratings
Wacky Failures
Daniel Fienberg notes that a group of rather wacky midseason shows have all failed in the ratings, including The CW's meta show Cult.
Labels:
2012-13 season,
cult,
do no harm,
midseason,
narrative,
nbc,
ratings,
the cw,
zero hour
Whither Paley Fest
Jon Weisman laments what Paley Fest has become, with a focus on current shows rather than TV history and legacies.
Labels:
history,
paley center
Entourage Movie
Melissa Click wonders if the Entourage movie will harm more than help the show's legacy and HBO.
Labels:
entourage,
hbo,
movies,
remakes/adaptations/spinoffs
Catfish's Catfishing
Alicia Lutes highlights some deception behind the MTV reality show Catfish.
Labels:
catfish,
editing,
ethics,
mtv,
reality tv
28-Day Boost
Todd Spangler reports on Retrak findings that some shows get a considerable boost in viewer ratings when 28 days of data are counted, and these numbers differ with some recently released Nielsen figures. TVNewsCheck also reports.
Labels:
dvr,
nielsen,
ratings,
rentrak,
time shifting,
video-on-demand
Shows Struggling
Joe Flint highlights ratings struggles for veteran shows this season. Many new shows are also struggling, putting big pressure on pilot season.
Labels:
2012-13 season,
90210,
development,
networks,
pilots,
ratings,
the good wife,
the mentalist
MTV & BET Fakery
MTV and BET pretended their Twitter feeds got hacked today, but not everyone thinks it was a wise stunt.
Labels:
bet,
channel branding,
marketing,
mtv,
twitter,
viral media
Downton Ratings
Downton Abbey's final episode last night drew the series' best ratings yet.
Labels:
downton abbey,
imports,
pbs,
ratings
On Enlightened
A thoughtful essay on Enlightened from Jaime Weinman.
Labels:
characters,
enlightened,
hbo,
narrative,
ratings
Monday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
-Total Viewers: ABC: 9.38 million, CBS: 9.23, Fox: 8.31, NBC: 4.77, CW: 863,000
-Adults 18-49: ABC and CBS: 2.8 rating/7 share, Fox: 2.5/ 6, NBC: 1.8/ 5, CW: 0.3/ 1
----------
-Winners: The Bachelor (ABC), How I Met Your Mother (CBS), 2 Broke Girls (CBS), Mike & Molly (CBS), The Following (Fox)
-Honorable Mention: Rules of Engagement (CBS), Castle (ABC)
-Losers: The Carrie Diaries (CW), 90210 (CW), Deception (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
The Bachelor continues to do well.
-Total Viewers: ABC: 9.38 million, CBS: 9.23, Fox: 8.31, NBC: 4.77, CW: 863,000
-Adults 18-49: ABC and CBS: 2.8 rating/7 share, Fox: 2.5/ 6, NBC: 1.8/ 5, CW: 0.3/ 1
----------
-Winners: The Bachelor (ABC), How I Met Your Mother (CBS), 2 Broke Girls (CBS), Mike & Molly (CBS), The Following (Fox)
-Honorable Mention: Rules of Engagement (CBS), Castle (ABC)
-Losers: The Carrie Diaries (CW), 90210 (CW), Deception (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
The Bachelor continues to do well.
Labels:
daily ratings,
monday ratings
TV Signal Disruption
Some British homes may find their TV signals disrupted due to 4G network expansion.
Labels:
britain,
broadcasting,
international,
mobile,
spectrum,
technology
DirecTV v. Sinclair
DirecTV is in a retrans dispute with Sinclair, and 87 stations could go dark on the service soon as a result. DirecTV is angry.
Labels:
carriage,
directv,
retransmission,
sinclair
Fellowes Interview
Dave Itzkoff talks with Julian Fellowes about Downton Abbey. (so, yeah, that spoiler again). Part two of the interview, in which Fellowes discusses the British Christmas special tradition.
Labels:
britain,
characters,
downton abbey,
imports,
international,
narrative,
writing
Esquire: TV for Manly Men
Neil Genzlinger has more on the new Esquire channel targeted toward "the modern men."
Labels:
cable,
channel branding,
esquire network,
gender,
nbc,
upscale
Hulu Plus Ads
Swanni answers the question of why you still have to watch ads if you're paying a subscription fee for Hulu Plus.
Labels:
advertising,
hulu plus,
revenue
Good TVeets
For me #DowntonAbbey is about hard working people servicing the whims of a gaggle of clowns. When 1 of the clowns passes shrug and move on.
— masked scheduler (@maskedscheduler) February 19, 2013
"@maskedscheduler: For me #DowntonAbbey is about hard working people servicing whims of a gaggle of clowns.">Sounds like a major studio.
— Brian Lowry (@blowryontv) February 19, 2013
What I've learned from the many drug commercials during ABC World News Tonight: people who watch ABC World News Tonight are DYING.
— Amelie Gillette (@amelieg) February 19, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Monday, February 18, 2013
Storage Wars Suit
Eriq Gardner says a lawsuit being brought against Storage Wars for fakery will involve the "quiz show law" and could have significant implications for reality TV.
Labels:
ethics,
game shows,
law,
reality tv,
storage wars
Cosby's Sweaters
One of the most iconic costumes in TV history, the Cliff Huxtable sweater, has been explained as a production necessity borne of Bill Cosby's propensity for improvisation.
Labels:
bill cosby,
comedy,
costumes,
history,
production
PBS on Newtown
Mike Hale describes PBS's "After Newtown," a week of programming about gun violence and mass shootings: "It’s painfully obvious, but let’s not miss the chance to say it: a lot of television organizations could do something like this, but PBS is just about the only one that would."
Labels:
documentary,
pbs,
public broadcasting,
public interest,
social issues,
violence
BBC Strike
BBC union journalists are on a 24-hour strike to protest job cuts. Meanwhile, a survey finds that Britons trust journalists less than Americans do.
Labels:
bbc,
bias,
budgets,
international,
labor,
news,
public broadcasting,
unions
Downton on Delay
Denise Martin reports word from PBS that Downton Abbey will likely continue airing much later in the US than the UK.
Labels:
britain,
distribution,
downton abbey,
international,
marketing,
pbs,
piracy,
public broadcasting,
scheduling
Sunday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
-Total Viewers:
CBS: 9.17 million, ABC: 5.86, NBC: 4.41, Fox: 3.75
-Adults 18-49:
Fox: 1.7 rating/4 share, ABC and CBS: 1.6/ 4 each, NBC: 1.2/ 3
----------
-Winners:
The Amazing Race (CBS)
-Honorable Mention:
Family Guy (Fox)
-Losers:
The Cleveland Show (Fox), Revenge (ABC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix: a tough night for the broadcast networks.
-Total Viewers:
CBS: 9.17 million, ABC: 5.86, NBC: 4.41, Fox: 3.75
-Adults 18-49:
Fox: 1.7 rating/4 share, ABC and CBS: 1.6/ 4 each, NBC: 1.2/ 3
----------
-Winners:
The Amazing Race (CBS)
-Honorable Mention:
Family Guy (Fox)
-Losers:
The Cleveland Show (Fox), Revenge (ABC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix: a tough night for the broadcast networks.
Labels:
daily ratings,
sunday ratings
Intel TV
Tim Carmody thinks what Intel has in the works might be actually measure up to internet TV's promises.
Walking Dead Ratings
Spotted details why The Walking Dead's big ratings are even more impressive than you initially think.
Labels:
amc,
cable,
demographics,
networks,
ratings,
the walking dead
Not On Apps
Rob Pegoraro explains why some TV shows are available streaming online but not via apps.
Good Wife Interview
Kate Aurthur interviews the Good Wife showrunners about this season.
Labels:
cbs,
characters,
narrative,
ratings,
showrunners,
the good wife,
writing
Violent TV
A new study finds that limiting children's exposure to violent content can reduce their aggression, and Todd VanDerWerff argues that adult shows like The Following that overindulge on violence without substance diminish its impact. One study finds YouTube a much less violent place than TV.
Labels:
children,
effects,
narrative,
online video,
spectatorship,
the following,
the walking dead,
violence,
youtube
Killing Off Characters
Bill Carter discusses the risk inherent to killing off TV characters. (This opens with the big Downton Abbey spoiler.)
Labels:
boardwalk empire,
characters,
downton abbey,
lost,
narrative,
seinfeld,
the walking dead
WGA Awards
Writers Guild awards were handed out last night; Breaking Bad, Louie, Girls, Mad Men, and Modern Family were among the TV winners.
Labels:
awards,
breaking bad,
game change,
girls,
hatfields and mccoys,
louie,
mad men,
modern family,
wga,
writing
Good TVeets
Tonight's "Downton Abbey" seems to be about how the world is changing in and around Downton Abbey. #spoiler
— Daniel Fienberg (@HitFixDaniel) February 18, 2013
My @twcable_nyc DVR ate the "Downton Abbey" season finale -- did Laura Linney manage to finally escape that red room she was trapped in?
— Tim Carvell (@timcarvell) February 18, 2013
my top ten series for 2013 so far: Enlightened is 1 through 6; also 10. just missing the list is enlightened at #11 and #12.
— Jeremy Mongeau (@JeremyMonjo) February 18, 2013
Warning: If you somehow, some way already avoided the big Downton Abbey spoiler and want to keep avoiding it, don't read all the way through the end.
Labels:
tveets
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Another Rehab Death
Kate Aurthur writes of the death of a another Celebrity Rehab alum, Mindy McCready. Andy Dehnart says we shouldn't blame the show or Dr. Drew.
Labels:
celebrity rehab,
reality tv,
stardom/celebrity
Al Jazeera's Independence
Spiegel reports on the departure of some top journalists from Al Jazeera, reportedly because the news outlet is losing its independence and following a political agenda.
Labels:
al jazeera,
bias,
international,
middle east,
news,
politics
Media Industry News
I've passed the What Are You Missing? baton on to another crew, which has started with an excellent collection of media industry news links from the past two weeks.
Children's Programming Festivals
Dade Hayes profiles the Prix Jeunesse Suitcase, a set of global festivals showcasing children's TV programming, or a "children's television equivalent to the Peabody Awards."
Labels:
awards,
children,
international
Rising & Falling Sports
Mixed martial arts is rising in popularity on US TV, while Formula One is falling globally.
Labels:
asia,
europe,
international,
mixed martial arts,
racing,
ratings,
sports,
viacom,
violence
TV vs. Film
Brandon Nowalk takes issue with the assumption that TV is better than film these days.
Labels:
criticism,
movies,
quality tv,
spectatorship,
taste culture
Save The Hour
Fans of The Hour have started a campaign to get the BBC to uncancel it.
Labels:
bbc,
britain,
cancellation,
fandom,
imports,
international,
social media
Good TVeets
Maya Rudolph's fetus refuses to be in s3 of Up All Night.
— Andrew Rabin (@arrabin56) February 16, 2013
UP ALL NIGHT reboot pitch: Animated versions of the cast's phone conversations with their agents since the retool was announced.
— Devan Joneson (@djoneson) February 17, 2013
Blackfolk gotta give up hope on #SNL & #Girls... Lorne Michaels aint cared for 35 years and Lena Dunham won't care for the next 35.
— Black Canseco (@BlackCanseco) February 17, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Expiring on Instant
A website called instantwatcher has a handy guide to titles facing expiration from Netflix Instant soon. My So-Called Life expires March 1!
Ratings Analysis
Robert Seidman uses The Americans to break down how ratings are assessed for a cable channel like FX.
Labels:
c3/l+3,
cable,
demographics,
fx,
nielsen,
ratings,
the americans,
time shifting
Up All Night Done?
We may never get to see a retooled Up All Night.
Labels:
multi-cam,
nbc,
up all night
Friday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
- Total Viewers: CBS: 7.50 million, NBC: 6.08, ABC: 6.07, Fox: 2.86, CW: 611,000
- Adults 18-49: ABC: 1.5 rating/5 share, NBC: 1.2/ 4, CBS: 1.1/ 4, Fox: 0.9/ 3, CW: 0.2/ 1
----------
- Winners: Shark Tank (ABC), Blue Bloods (CBS)
- Honorable Mention: Dateline (NBC)
- Losers: The Job (CBS), Malibu Country (ABC), Kitchen Nightmares (Fox), Movie: Paper Heart (CW), Touch (Fox), Rock Center With Brian Williams (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
- Total Viewers: CBS: 7.50 million, NBC: 6.08, ABC: 6.07, Fox: 2.86, CW: 611,000
- Adults 18-49: ABC: 1.5 rating/5 share, NBC: 1.2/ 4, CBS: 1.1/ 4, Fox: 0.9/ 3, CW: 0.2/ 1
----------
- Winners: Shark Tank (ABC), Blue Bloods (CBS)
- Honorable Mention: Dateline (NBC)
- Losers: The Job (CBS), Malibu Country (ABC), Kitchen Nightmares (Fox), Movie: Paper Heart (CW), Touch (Fox), Rock Center With Brian Williams (NBC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
Labels:
daily ratings,
friday ratings
HBO Digital Restructuring
HBO is overhauling its digital team.
Labels:
digital,
hbo,
hbo go,
technology,
time warner
Good TVeets
#ZeroHour ratings mean Nazi babies + clocks + shouting old Germans NOT a draw? Great, now I have to throw out *another* spec script.
— Mo Ryan (@moryan) February 15, 2013
I wonder what lemurs think of Lena Dunham. Has anyone asked them? Surely they must have an opinion.
— A.S. Paul (@aspaul) February 16, 2013
Number of times I have fast-forwarded through the “Parks & Rec” theme song: 0
— Danger Guerrero (@DangerGuerrero) February 16, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Friday, February 15, 2013
The Office Assessed
Myles McNutt offers his take on The Office bringing the documentary crew into the story, relative to other mockumentary formats. Willa Paskin likes the new Jim/Pam plot.
Labels:
characters,
comedy,
modern family,
narrative,
parks and recreation,
sitcoms,
spectatorship,
the office
Mike White Interview
Mo Ryan talks to Mike White about Enlightened and where it fits at HBO.
Labels:
characters,
enlightened,
girls,
hbo,
narrative,
premium channels
Rhimes & Scandal
Willa Paskin interviews showrunner Shonda Rhimes. Elsewhere, Brandon Maxwell explores racial representation issues in Rhimes' Scandal and offers a follow-up. Alan Sepinwall also interviewed Rhimes. And elsewhere Rhimes addressed why she includes gay and lesbian characters in her shows.
Labels:
abc,
characters,
grey's anatomy,
lgbtq,
narrative,
race/ethnicity,
representation,
scandal,
shonda rhimes,
showrunners,
writing
Tucker Leaving EW
TV critic Ken Tucker is following Lisa Schwarzbaum out the door at Entertainment Weekly. This appears to be part of major changes at Time Warner, which could see EW spun off.
Labels:
conglomeration,
criticism,
magazines,
time warner
Cruise Coverage
CNN is going wall-to-wall with disabled cruise ship coverage; Brian Stelter considers why. James Poniewozik also assesses CNN's cruise ship obsession. Update: The ratings indicate at least a short-term payoff.
Labels:
cable news,
cnn,
fox news,
jeff zucker,
msnbc,
news
New In Media Res
Theme: Taylor Swift
- Monday, February 11, 2013 - Tim Anderson (Old Dominion University) presents: Taylor Swift for Sale
- Tuesday, February 12, 2013 - Myles McNutt (University of Wisconsin - Madison) presents: She Knew They Were Trouble: Assertive Authorship in the Max Martin Era
- Wednesday, February 13, 2013 - Anne Helen Petersen (Whitman College) presents: Taylor Swift as Romantic Punchline
- Thursday, February 14, 2013 - Anthony C. Bleach (Kutztown University) presents: Taylor Swift Haters Hate in Many Flavors
- Friday, February 15, 2013 - Cameron White (University of Central Arkansas) presents: Creative Nonfiction: Taylor Swift & ABC Nashville’s Juliette Barnes
Labels:
authorship,
fandom,
music,
nashville,
stardom/celebrity
2013 Lessons
Ed Martin offers some key takeaways about broadcast network TV based on the first weeks of 2013 from daytime to prime time.
Labels:
2012-13 season,
american idol,
cbs,
do no harm,
fox,
midseason,
nbc,
networks,
news,
ratings,
scheduling,
soap opera,
the big bang theory,
writing
Community's New Start
Rowan Kaiser explores what's going on early in Community's Harmon-less season.
Labels:
characters,
comedy,
community,
dan harmon,
narrative,
writing
Walking Dead on AMC
AMC might air The Walking Dead repeats on IFC to boost that channel's prospects.
Labels:
amc,
conglomeration,
ifc,
ratings,
reruns,
the walking dead
Regulating Violence
Scott Collins explores how network standards and practices departments address violence in variable ways.
Labels:
decency,
fcc,
networks,
regulation,
standards and practices,
violence
Thursday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
- Total Viewers: CBS: 13.79 million, Fox: 8.75, ABC: 7.56, NBC: 3.48, CW: 1.86
- Adults 18-49: CBS: 3.3 rating/10 share, Fox: 2.7/ 8, ABC: 2.3/ 7, NBC: 1.5/ 4, CW: 0.8/ 2
----------
- Winners: The Big Bang Theory (CBS), Two and a Half Men (CBS), American Idol (Fox), Person of Interest (CBS), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Scandal (ABC)
- Losers: Zero Hour (ABC), Community (NBC), Parks and Recreation (NBC), Glee (Fox), Beauty and the Beast (CW)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
Community hit a series low.
- Total Viewers: CBS: 13.79 million, Fox: 8.75, ABC: 7.56, NBC: 3.48, CW: 1.86
- Adults 18-49: CBS: 3.3 rating/10 share, Fox: 2.7/ 8, ABC: 2.3/ 7, NBC: 1.5/ 4, CW: 0.8/ 2
----------
- Winners: The Big Bang Theory (CBS), Two and a Half Men (CBS), American Idol (Fox), Person of Interest (CBS), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Scandal (ABC)
- Losers: Zero Hour (ABC), Community (NBC), Parks and Recreation (NBC), Glee (Fox), Beauty and the Beast (CW)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
Community hit a series low.
Labels:
daily ratings,
thursday ratings
Intel & Pay TV
Will Richmond's podcast covers Intel's pay TV plans.
Labels:
bundling/a la carte,
intel,
over-the-top,
pay tv,
set-top boxes,
virtual mvpd
Good TVeets
"We open on a montage of Americans on iPads, reading tweets & watching YouTube clips of a Russian meteor strike. Then BOOM! The world ends."
— Mark Lisanti (@marklisanti) February 15, 2013
Of course the bathrobes for the Carnival Triumph are complimentary.
— Carnival Cruise Line (@CarnivalCruise) February 15, 2013
"What about a show set *inside* Nicolas Cage's brain?" - Pitch meeting for ZERO HOUR.
— Richard Lawson (@rilaws) February 15, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Commercial Negotiations
The SAG-AFTRA commercial negotiations are reportedly starting out cordially.
Labels:
advertising,
contracts,
sag-aftra,
unions
CBS Stations Up
CBS stations saw revenue rise in the fourth quarter of 2012, which bodes well for 2013.
Labels:
affiliates,
broadcasting,
cbs,
revenue
Scandal > House of Cards
Ryan McGee says "Scandal beats House Of Cards at its own game."
Labels:
characters,
drama,
house of cards,
narrative,
scandal,
serialization
Thursday, February 14, 2013
NBCU Wants More Fees
NBCU's Steve Burke says the company's outlets will start demanding more in retrans and carriage fees.
Labels:
affiliates,
carriage fees,
nbc,
nbcu,
retransmission,
revenue
NBC Last Again
Thanks to a dreadful midseason, NBC has fallen back into last place. David Bauder calls NBC's ratings "appallingly low." More from Marisa Guthrie.
Labels:
2012-13 season,
midseason,
nbc,
networks,
ratings
Parenthood & Community Optimism
Rick Kissell says NBC's current situation indicates that Parenthood and Community are locks to return next season.
Labels:
community,
nbc,
parenthood,
predictions,
ratings,
renewals
Sitcom Romance
Andy Greenwald notes that sitcoms have become a home for romantic plots.
Labels:
comedy,
narrative,
new girl,
sitcoms,
the mindy project
Survivor Low
Survivor hit a premiere low last night, and Andy Dehnart explores some possible reasons why.
Labels:
cbs,
dvr,
marketing,
ratings,
reality tv,
survivor,
time shifting
Wednesday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
- Total Viewers: Fox: 13.37 million, CBS: 8.49, ABC: 6.84, NBC: 5.39, CW: 2.87
- Adults 18-49: Fox: 4.3 rating/12 share, ABC: 2.2/ 6, CBS: 2.1/ 6, NBC: 1.5/ 4, CW: 1.1/ 3
----------
- Winners: American Idol (Fox), Arrow (CW), Modern Family (ABC), CSI (CBS)
- Honorable Mention: Survivor: Caramoan (CBS)
- Losers: Whitney (NBC), Guys With Kids (NBC), Suburgatory (ABC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
- Total Viewers: Fox: 13.37 million, CBS: 8.49, ABC: 6.84, NBC: 5.39, CW: 2.87
- Adults 18-49: Fox: 4.3 rating/12 share, ABC: 2.2/ 6, CBS: 2.1/ 6, NBC: 1.5/ 4, CW: 1.1/ 3
----------
- Winners: American Idol (Fox), Arrow (CW), Modern Family (ABC), CSI (CBS)
- Honorable Mention: Survivor: Caramoan (CBS)
- Losers: Whitney (NBC), Guys With Kids (NBC), Suburgatory (ABC)
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
Labels:
daily ratings,
wednesday ratings
Probst Cancelled
Jeff Probst's talk show has been axed.
Labels:
cancellation,
jeff probst,
syndication,
talk
AutoHop Fees
David Goetzl says broadcasters want Dish Network to pay them and networks for what AutoHop takes away from them.
Labels:
advertising,
auto hop,
carriage,
cbs,
dish network,
dvr,
hopper,
les moonves,
retransmission,
revenue,
station groups
Netflix & Seriality
Cynthia Meyers proposes industrial reasons why Netflix has released House of Cards as separate episodes but all at once.
BBC Personnel Changes
Incoming BBC head Tony Hunt is making some personnel moves.
Labels:
bbc,
bbc worldwide,
britain,
international,
labor
ABC Midseason Shuffle
ABC has announced midseason changes, which include Happy Endings being dumped to Fridays.
Labels:
abc,
friday,
happy endings,
midseason,
scheduling
Good TVeets
Aaron Sorkin's first job was writing candy heart captions. He got fired for filling up both sides and ending with, "See next heart."
— Matt Zoller Seitz (@mattzollerseitz) February 14, 2013
Dear ABC, you're being a total NBC. #saveHappyEndings
— damianholbrook (@TVGMDamian) February 14, 2013
Ten favorite Survivors from past seasons! Malcolm! Well, Malcolm and a bunch of other clowns…
— Max Dawson (@fymaxwell) February 14, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
CBS & Amazon Deal Again
CBS and Amazon are expanding a content deal to put older CBS and Showtime shows on Amazon Prime.
Labels:
amazon,
cbs,
distribution,
streaming
Britton Profile
Susan Dominus profiles Nashville star Connie Britton. Alyssa Rosenberg addresses the connotation that Britton is "old."
Labels:
acting,
friday night lights,
gender,
nashville,
stardom/celebrity
Tuesday Ratings
Marc Berman's summary:
- Total Viewers: CBS: 6.91 million, NBC: 5.28, ABC: 4.42, Fox: 2.39, CW: 1.53
- Adults 18-49: NBC; 1.4 rating/4 share, ABC: 1.3/ 3, CBS: 1.2/ 3, Fox: 0.9/ 3, CW: 0.5/ 1
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
- Total Viewers: CBS: 6.91 million, NBC: 5.28, ABC: 4.42, Fox: 2.39, CW: 1.53
- Adults 18-49: NBC; 1.4 rating/4 share, ABC: 1.3/ 3, CBS: 1.2/ 3, Fox: 0.9/ 3, CW: 0.5/ 1
Network numbers from TV By the Numbers. Final ratings. Cable ratings.
Analysis from Spotted and Hitfix.
Labels:
auto hop,
daily ratings,
tuesday ratings
Esquire TV
"Intelligent and stylish" men are getting a new cable channel targeted toward them. More from Bill Carter. James Poniewozik has analysis. Alyssa Rosenberg questions the viability of this channel brand.
Labels:
cable,
channel branding,
demographics,
esquire network,
fx,
gender,
lifestyle,
magazines,
upscale
Dish-ESPN Trial
A Dish Network lawsuit against ESPN starts today over allegations that ESPN has favored other providers in carriage deals.
Labels:
carriage,
carriage fees,
comcast,
directv,
dish network,
espn,
industry,
law,
pay tv,
tiering/neighborhooding,
time warner cable
Fringe Transmedia
James Carter catalogs the transmedia extensions tied to Fringe.
Labels:
characters,
fringe,
narrative,
paratexts,
transmedia,
viral media
Lionsgate Backing Sitcoms
With Anger Management going so well, Lionsgate is looking to expand its investment in sitcom production and its 10/90 model.
Labels:
anger management,
lionsgate,
production,
sitcoms,
syndication,
tyler perry
Divided News
Ken Tucker discusses how news was divided tonight between the State of the Union address and the Christopher Dorner manhunt. Brian Stelter also assesses the divided news attention. One blogger looks at the problems live TV had covering the Dorner situation.
Labels:
cable news,
live,
network news,
news,
politics
Comcast Goes All In
Comcast is buying the remaining 49% stake of NBCU from GE. Brian Stelter reports. Steve Schaefer says the timing is sooner than expected. Sam Thielman looks at where Comcast's money for this came from.
Labels:
comcast,
conglomeration,
industry,
nbcu
Good TVeets
Marco Rubio made a huge gaffe by drinking water, indicating he is a carbon-based human life form requiring H2O for sustenance.
— Alex Parker (@AlexParkerDC) February 13, 2013
People accuse me of trashing everything Republicans say but I agreed with Marco Rubio's statement that GLURRGGSLURP.
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) February 13, 2013
" Our House of Cards audience is thisssss big (extending arms out)" - that's about as close as we are getting to Netflix ratings #dmedia
— Jason Del Rey (@DelRey) February 12, 2013
Labels:
tveets
Mockumentary & Laugh Track
Jaime Weinman explains how the quirks of the mockumentary format work like a modern version of the laugh track.
Women Directors
Eden Sher, portrayer of the brilliant creation that is Sue Heck on The Middle, shares her frustration that there aren't more women directors in TV and movies.
Labels:
acting,
directing,
gender,
movies,
production,
sitcoms,
the middle
Up One Night
Up All Night will now shoot only one multi-cam episode, rather than a planned five.
Labels:
directing,
multi-cam,
nbc,
pilots,
production,
sitcoms,
up all night
Netflix Viewership
Netflix isn't offering specific numbers, but it says House of Cards is its most-viewed program. Janko Roettgers says it's data that matters more to Netflix than ratings anyway. And Andrew Wallenstein says differing perspectives on binge-viewing were on display between Netflix and HBO execs at a media conference today.
Labels:
binge viewing,
hbo,
hbo go,
house of cards,
netflix,
ratings,
spectatorship,
streaming
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
HBO Go Adds AirPlay
HBO has added AirPlay support to HBO Go for Apple TV viewing via iDevices.
Labels:
apple tv,
authentication,
hbo go,
ipad,
streaming
Better Catalysts
Sony's CEO thinks DVRs and Netflix are the key catalysts for the growth in quality long-form TV drama, rather than premium channels.
Labels:
drama,
dvr,
netflix,
premium channels,
quality tv,
serialization,
time shifting
Intel Pay TV Service
Yinka Adegoke and Noel Randewich have more detail on Intel's plans for an MVPD service via a set-top box. Shara Tibken also has coverage, as does Janko Roettgers, Salvador Rodriguez, Ryan Lawler, John Paczkowski.
Labels:
bundling/a la carte,
intel,
over-the-top,
pay tv,
set-top boxes,
technology,
virtual mvpd
Fox, Comcast Deal
Fox and Comcast have signed a multi-platform carriage deal.
Labels:
authentication,
comcast,
distribution,
fox,
mobile,
multi-platform,
streaming,
tablets,
tv everywhere
Netflix Series for Kids
Netflix will develop an original cartoon series for children with DreamWorks.
Death Toll Rankings
A funeral resource guide has released a survey of the death toll on TV, which finds that TV is deadlier than it was last year.
Labels:
revolution,
strike back,
the walking dead,
violence
Ratings Rise & Fall
The Following is starting to drop in the ratings, while FX points out that The Americans is benefiting from DVR viewership.
Labels:
ratings,
the americans,