Regarding the Writer's Strike that would affect some of the most popular shows on TV....?

Question

In an effort to introduce MORE reality tv (for better ratings), networks are tossing around ideas that could threaten shows like Greys Anatomy, Criminal Minds, NCIS,etc. with more b.s. reality. What would be your solution in a room full of CEO's for NBC,CBS,ABC,etc. (For mass comm class debate). I want to see if great minds think alike. (Hint: ways of using today's modern technology to maintain a ratings system so that our fave shows can stay on the air and for those of us who like "a little" reality or "a lot" of reality but also like primetime TV can enjoy both!! Devise a plan! Also to show appreciation for the great writers who keep the shows coming who, otherwise, would be out of a job if networks are overthrown by Reality TV.

Answer 1

Here's the plan. Use your remote control or your hand to set the TV in the "OFF" mode. The medium of TV is not the electronic equivalent of the Roman Colliseum and shouldn't have its programming determined by the mob.

Answer 2

All shows will be affected by it, that's the point. How long? Still going and going like an everlasting bunny. On December 7 (yesterday), the AMPTP walked away from the table, ending talks for the time being. The 2007 Writers Guild of America strike is a strike by the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) that started on November 5, 2007. The WGAE and WGAW are two labor unions that represent film, television and radio writers working in the United States. The strike is against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), a trade organization that represents the interests of American film and television producers. Over 12,000 writers are affected by the strike. The Writers Guild has indicated their industrial action would be a "marathon". AMPTP negotiator Nick Counter has indicated that negotiations would not resume as long as strike action continues, stating, "We're not going to negotiate with a gun to our heads—that's just stupid. After a three-week period of no negotiations between the parties, talks resumed on November 26, 2007 at an undisclosed location. On December 7, the AMPTP walked away from the table, ending talks for the time being.

Answer 3

First of all, reality shows are not threatening other types of shows. The fact is that the big networks can no longer afford to make 25 or so original episodes per season for most series anymore due to competition from hundreds of other channels, the internet, and home video games. Their maximum audience is much smaller today and, therefore, so is their potential revenue per ad slot.

Most of the reality shows on the networks are simply filling in slots that have typically low audiences (holidays and summer) with something better than sitcom reruns. If it wasn't for the cheap to produce reality programs and game shows, that's what you'd be getting ... reruns.

There's no magical way to make ratings come out differently. People are asked what they watch or Nielson determines that automatically and the Networks determine whether or not a show is profitable. They are a business and will nearly always choose to air what produces the biggest net profit (advertising dollars - production costs). Believe me ... nothing will change that.

In a capitalistic society, like it or not, the society and economics decides what shows will be on television. If you hate reality shows but that is what society as a whole will watch in sufficient numbers to make a profit from advertising for the network, well, then that's what you're going to see on television.

Writer's strikes will rarely change that ... wierd ways of manipulation ratings just plain won't happen (because they would produce artificial results) ... and write in campaigns will rarely change that.