2019 Television Predictions

[Tim from Springfield IL]

Comcast will continue aggressively pushing their X1 platform. Even to the point where an X1-compatible tuner begins to be required to receive various channel package tiers of programming (e.g., likely starting out with pay per view and premium channels becoming X1-only).

Comcast also finally starts phasing out duplicate SD versions of HD channels, at least from their Digital Preferred package on (or perhaps the only SD left outside of SD-only networks and netlets are those networks on legacy channels 2-99). With a plan to go all-HD where possible by late 2020.

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

ABC, NBC and CBS produce big-league specials commemorating the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 moon landing.

There will also be big specials on at least one of the Big Three networks commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock (the weekend of Aug. 16-18). In fact, a 50th anniversary celebration is planned at the site of the venue:

https://herald-review.com/entertain...cle_abbe1769-4812-5e57-8ffe-7c27e8860ef4.html

One of the cable music stations (MTV, VH1) or even PBS will have live coverage from Woodstock during the 50th anniversary event.

There will also be at least one special for the 25th anniversary of the start of the O.J. Simpson arrest and subsequent trial and media circus.

And at least one documentary on the 20th anniversary of the Columbine tragedy (Apr. 20, 1999).

 

[nickp]

There will also be big specials on at least one of the Big Three networks commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock (the weekend of Aug. 16-18). In fact, a 50th anniversary celebration is planned at the site of the venue:

https://herald-review.com/entertain...cle_abbe1769-4812-5e57-8ffe-7c27e8860ef4.html

One of the cable music stations (MTV, VH1) or even PBS will have live coverage from Woodstock during the 50th anniversary event.

There will also be at least one special for the 25th anniversary of the start of the O.J. Simpson arrest and subsequent trial and media circus.

And at least one documentary on the 20th anniversary of the Columbine tragedy (Apr. 20, 1999).

How can I convince my mom to let me go to the 50th anniversary of Woodstock

 

[Don CT]

CBS will announce a spin off of the The Big Bang Theory with Leonard and Penny.
Fox News will start to hemorrhage viewers when the GOP begins to spiral downward at the hands of Trump.

 

[seatownmedia]

The much-talked-about reboot of Frasier will likely happen in '19. Like most reboots, this one will probably also struggle. Perhaps "Young Frasier" as a companion show?

 

[Don CT]

The much-talked-about reboot of Frasier will likely happen in '19. Like most reboots, this one will probably also struggle. Perhaps "Young Frasier" as a companion show?

They could do a show around Frasier's son. Or bring the show back to Boston and do Cheers cameos.

 

[gr8oldies]

Some TV station will do 20-20 News to lead up to 2020?

 

[EricStein]

If the Nexstar-Tribune deal is finalized in 2019, expect the WGN America cable network, Antenna TV, and Tribune's stake in This TV and Food Network to be sold. Perry Sook has stated many times that he's not interested in national platforms (not surprising coming from a company whose favorite word is "local").

 

[TheBigA]

If the Nexstar-Tribune deal is finalized in 2019, expect the WGN America cable network, Antenna TV, and Tribune's stake in This TV and Food Network to be sold.

I think you're right, and I'd expect a lot of competition for them from Viacom and Sinclair.

 

[EricStein]

I think you're right, and I'd expect a lot of competition for them from Viacom and Sinclair.

I wouldn't count out Entertainment Studios as a bidder for WGNA either.

 

[TheBigA]

I wouldn't count out Entertainment Studios as a bidder for WGNA either.

Could be, since they were willing to bid on the whole company, their primary interest may have been those cable channels.

 

[Don CT]

I think you're right, and I'd expect a lot of competition for them from Viacom and Sinclair.

Doesn't Viacom have enough trouble trying to stay afloat with what they have now?

 

[TheBigA]

Doesn't Viacom have enough trouble trying to stay afloat with what they have now?

They do. That didn't stop them from bidding on Scripps Interactive.

 

[crainbebo]

Well, we all know WGN America under Entertainment Studios will *have* to run Funny You Should Ask...

 

[seatownmedia]

WGN America lost this viewer years ago. Just bad programming, IMO. I miss the days of Cubs baseball and local Chicago news, but realize that is forever gone.

 

[crainbebo]

Yeah, it's turned to crap. I too, miss WGN News at Noon and 9PM and Tom Schilling's weather. But times have changed. We no longer live in the era of Superstations.

 

[Mgomrjsurf]

Also TBS never had Newscast or Hawks or Flames Games. WGN had Bulls and White Sox Games before to but not Blackhawks,Sky,Fire.

 

[joebtsflk1]

Traditional real-time viewership will continue to fall.

And programming efforts will continue to decline. At least one of the big 4 networks will give Saturday prime time back to the affiliates, if they don't have live sports to offer.

 

[TheBigA]

And programming efforts will continue to decline. At least one of the big 4 networks will give Saturday prime time back to the affiliates, if they don't have live sports to offer.

Keep in mind the networks have to make money. Giving time back to affiliates is a net loss. Plus the majority of their affiliates need programming.

What's more likely is more reruns, as NBC does with second showings of The Voice on weekends. There were second showings of expensive music specials such as Garth Brooks on CBS and Country Christmas on ABC. But yes, live sports is a great weekend filler.

 

[anotherguyTN]

Keep in mind the networks have to make money. Giving time back to affiliates is a net loss. Plus the majority of their affiliates need programming.

What's more likely is more reruns, as NBC does with second showings of The Voice on weekends. There were second showings of expensive music specials such as Garth Brooks on CBS and Country Christmas on ABC. But yes, live sports is a great weekend filler.

Perhaps the other side of that prediction could be MORE sports on Saturday night. ABC and Fox both have college football most Saturday nights in the Fall, and CBS has it occasionally. I could see CBS expanding on their contract with the SEC to allow more Saturday night games. Since NBC only has a deal with Notre Dame, they would need to make a deal with some other conference to get more college games for Saturday nights.