MyNetworkTV jumps in ratings. Affils renew contracts

[arnoldevns]

Since its rather hasty inception I have maintained Fox would find a way to make MyNetwork TV work. It appears the latest incarnation of the network is working very well. I believe the numbers quoted in the article below makes it higher rated than CW and close to Univision.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/444904-MyNetworkTV_Primed_for_Growth.php

 

[mjlarochelle]

It's not a bad model - basically the stations are running as independents with a block of syndicated programming in primetime that happens to be the same in every market that has one of these stations. A little bit like the old PTEN (Prime Time Entertainment Network) which included Babylon 5, but in this case with a network branding.

Just too bad some of the stations such as WUAB in Cleveland are also airing large amounts of infomercials.

 

[MarcB]

Just too bad some of the stations such as WUAB in Cleveland are also airing large amounts of infomercials.

Here in Connecticut WCTX/59 in New Haven is the My Network TV station. MY TV 9. (not to be confused with New York City's MY 9), During the week MY TV 9's Infomercials are relegated to 5AM-7AM followed by NewsChannel 8 at 7 and previous day tape of Connecticut Style at 8AM. Then infomercials are on 830AM-11AM, but that also includes Joyce Meyer and Kenneth Copeland 930AM-1030AM. Saturdays it's Infomericals 5AM-7AM followed by E/I programming 7AM-9AM. Then more infomercials 9AM-Noon,. Sundays infomericals 3AM-7AM followed by E/I programming 7AM-9AM. Then more infomercials 9AM-11AM.

MY TV 9 also shows a lot of Sports. A weekly High School Football game Saturday Nights (Taped Fridays) during Football Seasons. They also share the Over-the-air rights to The UCONN Men's Basketball Games with sister station NewsChannel 8. They're show one other college football game and basketball game each week. And they have the rights over-the-air rights in Connecticut to The New York Yankees.

And on the weekend they have quite a bit of programming geared towards African Americans and Latinos. (Some programming being shared with sister station NewsChannel 8 ).

 

[DToTheJ]

It's not a bad model... A little bit like the old PTEN (Prime Time Entertainment Network) which included Babylon 5, but in this case with a network branding.

PTEN, if I remember correctly, also had the shows Time Trax and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.

Certainly had more promise than another "independent network" in effect around that time: "The Hollywood Premiere Network," home to duds like She-Wolf Of London and They Came From Outer Space. I believe WWOR in New York cleared both of them!

And I believe in the 80's, there was "Operation Prime Time."

 

[Iowan]

What could be possible new episodes for certain shows...

I suppose it's good that My Network TV rises in ratings, but should it be just repeats? I mean, Fox is no longer airing Are you smarter than a 5th grader?, so the show's production companies could produce new episodes of the hourlong million dollar version for My Network TV as opposed to the network just airing (or repeating) the syndicated broadcasts. Same case for two other shows:

1. Deal or no deal? is no longer on NBC, so Enedemol USA could produce new episodes exclusively for My Network TV. They could also be an hour long and with a chance to win a million dollars!

2. Didn't The Unit end on CBS just before My Network TV started airing repeats? According to Wikipedia, that show was co-produced by Twentieth Television, was it not? Once again, new episodes could be produced for and air on My Network TV!

 

[JayR]

Re: MyNetworkTV jumps in ratings.

It's not a bad model... A little bit like the old PTEN (Prime Time Entertainment Network) which included Babylon 5, but in this case with a network branding.

PTEN, if I remember correctly, also had the shows Time Trax and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.

Unlike MY, you had to "Check Local Listings for Time and Channel" for PTEN shows and Universal's Action Pack.

The 90's was good for first-run syndicated programs. It all hit the fan when UPN and The WB launched.

 

[imhomerjay]

Re: What could be possible new episodes for certain shows...

I suppose it's good that My Network TV rises in ratings, but should it be just repeats? I mean, Fox is no longer airing Are you smarter than a 5th grader?, so the show's production companies could produce new episodes of the hourlong million dollar version for My Network TV as opposed to the network just airing (or repeating) the syndicated broadcasts. Same case for two other shows:

1. Deal or no deal? is no longer on NBC, so Enedemol USA could produce new episodes exclusively for My Network TV. They could also be an hour long and with a chance to win a million dollars!

2. Didn't The Unit end on CBS just before My Network TV started airing repeats? According to Wikipedia, that show was co-produced by Twentieth Television, was it not? Once again, new episodes could be produced for and air on My Network TV!

They could, but that's not the point. The relative cost savings is the point. Though Deal is a question for next season, Fifth Grader is renewed, and the set-up of selected repeats from the syndicated show works just fine for them.

 

[arnoldevns]

Re: What could be possible new episodes for certain shows...

I suppose it's good that My Network TV rises in ratings, but should it be just repeats? I mean, Fox is no longer airing Are you smarter than a 5th grader?, so the show's production companies could produce new episodes of the hourlong million dollar version for My Network TV as opposed to the network just airing (or repeating) the syndicated broadcasts. Same case for two other shows:

1. Deal or no deal? is no longer on NBC, so Enedemol USA could produce new episodes exclusively for My Network TV. They could also be an hour long and with a chance to win a million dollars!

2. Didn't The Unit end on CBS just before My Network TV started airing repeats? According to Wikipedia, that show was co-produced by Twentieth Television, was it not? Once again, new episodes could be produced for and air on My Network TV!

Producing new episodes of these shows would make them highly
unprofitable for MyNetworkTV. It would be the absolutely wrong
thing for them to do.

You have to remember, the other shows that MyNetworkTV had that were
"original programming" were very inexpensive - a LOT less expensive
than new prime-time episodes of the three programs you mentioned.

WWE is the only thing that's probably fairly costly to MyNetworkTV,
but it's also got high enough ratings to make it profitable.